Stratford Academy and Tattnall Square are both very very very good football teams.
And to tell the truth it is really sad that they have to play so early in the playoffs.
But its happening this Friday night, and both teams could not be more excited.
Let me get one thing straight.
In a story earlier, one of my comments was that these two teams hated each other.
I was wrong. They do not hate each other. I have had so many people tell me that from both teams over the last three weeks that I truly believe it. But one thing is for sure and that is that they respect each others football teams. (they may save the hate for another Macon school)
But make no doubt, both teams want the W in the worst way on Friday night.
Right now I think the game favors Stratford. I mean Tattnall needed a small miracle two weeks ago from miracle maker Ahmad Barron to get the win, and the fact that the final was 7-3 leaves Stratford confident.
Does it make Tattnall uneasy ? I think maybe that it does.
I saw the Eagles manhandle Holy Innocents, who was supposed to give Stratford a great challenge. But I saw a defense that hit HI early and often, and I believe, basically made the other team not want to play anymore. I don't know it for sure, but I feel like Stratford is peaking just at the right time.
Lets start with the offense.
Mark Farriba is going to run the football. If the run doesn't work , he will change it up and RUN the football. When he is in desperation mode, I think he will run the football. Kasey Sanders is rugged, Russell Mole is so fast, and Tyler Jordan is a mixture of them. They are also blessed with a quarterback in Noah Hill, a game manager who is capable of making big plays. I mean , I truly believe that they will score points against Tattnall.
The Stratford defense however, is what makes Stratford special. Tobe Umerah deserves everything he is getting right now as a junior, but one look at them in person makes one realize very quickly that Umerah is not the only stud they have on defense. Jourdain Irvin, all 250 pounds of him, has made life miserable for opponents, and Jonathan Siegel all 155 pounds of him, hit a Holy Innocents player so hard that it was maybe the best hit I have seen this year. Stratford hits and then hits some more.
They are truly a scary bunch.
Lets not forget that they have a weapon at kicker. Jake Jamison only kicked extra points last Friday, but he has a big leg who could make a difference in a close game.
So what I am saying is, if anyone in Macon thinks that Stratford cant win this football game, they are dead wrong.
I cannot imagine the crowd, and the atmosphere for this game. It will be something the players wont forget. When I brought it up to some Stratford players, they were gleaming with excitement over the rematch.
So am I picking Stratford for the win ? Today I am , but hey I have a few more days. I will say that my pick has been turned in already, but hey that could change.
Its going to be one hell of a game, with two great coaching staffs, and the best fans in Middle Georgia.
Go see it, you wont regret.
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