Pee Dee teams get rematches

Tonight, the Wilson Tigers return to the place where last year’s Class 3A playoff run ended.

In 2006, Wilson rattled off three straight road wins to reach the lower state championship game at Timberland.

Turnovers and missed opportunities, however, plagued the Tigers in a 14-0 loss.

“We have to play better this year (at Timberland),” Wilson coach Darryl Page said. “We must avoid the turnovers and mental mistakes that cost us previously against them.”

Timberland coach Art Craig said home-field advantage meant nothing in the first meeting and means even less this time.

“We don’t play in one of those old-time stadiums where the fans are standing on the fence screaming at the opposing team,” said Craig, whose Wolves beat Midland Valley 35-20 last week. “If this were Lake View, we’d have an advantage, but we have no home-field advantage against Wilson.”

In last Friday’s 33-21 win, Wilson held down a Socastee offense that had gained more than 3,000 yards rushing during the regular season. The same kind of defensive effort might be necessary against the Wolves.

“You don’t shut down good rushing teams, you contain them,” said Page, whose Tigers allowed 201 yards rushing to the Braves. “We did a good job containing Socastee on the ground last week, but no one cares what happened last week.

“We have Timberland this week, and we have to figure out how to contain them.”

Craig said his team needs to take advantage offensively against Wilson.

“We’re not going to be able to rip off 15- or 20-yard runs against (Wilson),” he said. “When we get opportunities to score, we’re going to have to take them, because I don’t know how many we’re going to have.”

Craig added his team will see a much better Wilson offense than last year.

“In order for us to be successful, we have to stop the big play,” he said. “(The Tigers) are a better team offensively than they were last year, and we’re not as good.”

Wilson and Timberland know each other, but not as well as Marion and Manning.

The Swamp Foxes and Monarchs square off for the fourth time in two seasons. Manning won the three previous meetings, including a 37-19 victory Aug. 31 at home.

Manning coach Robbie Briggs said the first three meetings mean nothing tonight.

“(The Swamp Foxes) are going to be really pumped against us, because they know us so well,” he said. “This is not going to be an easy game for us, and we’ll have to play really well to get by them.”

“The first time we played (Manning) this year, they pretty much threw the ball at will,” Marion coach Bryan Carfley said. “We have to force (Manning quarterback Chris Hammett) into some bad throws and get a couple of early turnovers.”

Carfley added it is imperative to stop Hammett if the Swamp Foxes are going to win. Hammett has accounted for more than 1,600 total yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

“We have to contain (Hammett) to have any chance of winning,” Carfley said. “He’s one of the best in the state. He can run it and throw it well.”

If Carfley is worried about Hammett, Briggs is even more worried about D.J. Gause. Marion’s all-purpose senior has racked up 1,134 yards and 10 TDs on passes, rushes and receptions. He has scored twice on kickoff and punt returns.

“D.J. Gause is the best player I have ever coached against since I have been here,” Briggs said. “He reminds me of (former Marion standout) Shawn Graves because of his speed and mannerisms, and that is scary.”