SOUTH CREEK (4-4, 1-3 1A COASTAL PLAINS CONFERENCE) VS. SOUTHSIDE (4-5, 2-3 1A CPC)

LAST TIME OUT ON THE FIELD

Southside is coming off of its biggest win of the season, a 23-16 victory on Tuesday. It wasn’t the margin of victory that made it so massive, but the fact it came on the road in the Anchor Bowl against county rival Northside. It was a hard-fought win that went back and forth the final two quarters. Facing a deficit, the Seahawks drove 55 yards to take the lead with 3:53 left in the game, and held on as Northside desperately tried to score late. Southside forced the Panthers in to a turnovers on downs at the Seahawks’ 18 with just 16 seconds left on the clock.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Can Southside use the momentum from the Anchor Bowl win to drive them Friday night? Once again, due to rescheduling because of uncooperative weather, the Seahawks are forced to play twice within a seven-day period, this time twice in three days. South Creek, on the other hand, last played on Oct. 19 and will be well rested and prepared. Southside may not have been able to study up much on the Cougars before the game, but the Seahawks can fight through the fatigue and soreness if they can channel the energy and excitement that lingers from winning the 2018 Anchor Bowl.

 

2. How will the Seahawks handle South Creek’s passing game? The Cougars boast one of the most productive quarterbacks and wide receivers in the conference in Jahkene Clark and Zikeyai Cherry, respectively. Southside, on the other hand, has been forced to field a secondary filled exclusively with freshmen and sophomores for much of the season. The likes of Kenjray Coffield, Aeron Wright, Kaleb Jones Taylor and Brandon Clark have grow into their roles as the season has progressed, but they will have their hands full in Friday’s game. The Seahawk defensive backs should be bolstered by the return of senior Jonquil Haywood, who recently came back from injury to play in the Anchor Bowl on Tuesday.

 

3. Which team’s ground game will have a bigger impact on the game? Both squads boast productive rushing attacks, with South Creek putting up 1,870 yards and 24 touchdowns, while Southside has 1,681 yards and 20 scores. The difference is the Cougars have a clear-cut No. 1 back in Jaylen Short, who’s second in the conference in rush yards (977), while the Seahawks rely on a stable of ball carriers in Hayden Mayo, Chris Brinkley and Jaheem Carter. If Southside can limit Short’s impact, while also getting its trio of backs running the ball effectively, it’d go a long way in helping the Seahawks pick up a win on Homecoming and cement their spot at fourth in the conference.