FLORENCE — While the annual Hartsville-West Florence matchup has developed into a good rivalry in recent years, tonight’s Morning News Game of the Week will likely have more on the line than pride.
Like last season, the winner could have the inside track on the coveted third spot in Region 6-4A, and the playoff berth that goes with it.
“Third place in the region gets you in the playoffs, and that was the main reason we were there last year,” West Florence coach Trey Woodberry said. “My first couple of years here, we had to rely on points. You just never know how things are going to turn out on that last Friday.”
West Florence enters at 0-2 in Region 6-4A, trailing both Hartsville (1-1) and South Florence (1-1) for third place.
The Knights won last year’s meeting 17-3 to earn a playoff spot, holding the Red Foxes’ high-octane offense to 30 points less than their season average.
And Woodberry said it should be another matchup of strength verses strength.
“Hartsville has a very good offense and we’ve had a good defense all season,” Woodberry said. “Should be fun for the fans, if not the coaches.”
The Knights’ defense has been especially tough against the run this season, and they’ll face perhaps their toughest challenge against the Red Foxes, who’ve rushed for well over 2,300 yards so far.
“It’s hard to get ready in a short week because there’s a lot of misdirection, trapping and pulling guards and things like that,” Woodberry said. “We’ve got to make sure we limit the amount of big plays.”
Hartsville will have its hands full as well with a West defense allowing an average of 20 points a game.
“(Their defense) creates so many problems with their athleticism and size,” Hartsville coach Jeff Calabrese said. “We didn’t have a lot of success against them last year.
“Conway has a very athletic defense as well. We struggled in the first half against them and got better as the game went on. Hopefully, we won’t start out as slow against West Florence.”
Defensively, Calabrese said that West quarterback Paul Pizzuti presents a unique challenge. Pizzuti has 957 yards passing and 446 yards rushing this season with 11 combined touchdowns.
“Pizzuti’s arm and feet make that West offense very dangerous,” Calabrese said. “They have a big, strong athletic line and a lot of playmaking receivers.
“They create a lot of matchup problems. We just have to make sure we keep the game close and give ourselves a chance to win in the end.”
Woodberry is hoping his team, which has had problems with turnovers this season, can find a way to grind out some clock.
“Our offense has to be able to put up points and hold onto the ball so Hartsville’s offense stays on the sideline,” Woodberry said.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement