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GCT challenges Magnolia tonight
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| GCT assistant coach Lewis Ernest talks with intermediate students before he and fellow coach Shep Campbell board the team bus heading for Magnolia on Thursday. Magnolia hosts Tech for a first-round playoff game tonight. Kickoff is slated for 7:30. Mike McKinney/Daily Press |
Eagles, Panthers match wide-open offenses in first-round game
By Chad Miller
cmiller@paragoulddailypress.com
It has already been a historic season for the Greene County Tech Golden Eagles. They tied a school record that has stood for 19 years by winning eight games and have earned their first playoff berth since 1991.
The Eagles left for Magnolia on Thursday morning and will have a chance to continue to make history tonight when they face the Panthers in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Panther Stadium.
Beating Magnolia will not be easy as the Panthers finished the regular season 7-3 and have a record of 5-2 in the 5A Southwest. Magnolia will also put its 5-0 home record on the line.
GCT also has a 5-2 conference record in the 5A-East and is 4-1 on the road this season. GCT coach Jeff Conaway said he knows his Eagles are facing a “very athletic” Panther team tonight. Both squads feature a high-powered offenses as the Eagles have averaged nearly 28 points per game and the Panthers have averaged more than 25.
Both teams also have defensive units that are among the best in the 5A. The Panthers have yielded a little more than 18 points per night and the Eagles have allowed about 11 points per game.
“They’re going to be tough to beat,” Conaway said. “They’ve got a good offense and a really solid, fast, aggressive defense. They are very well coached. (Magnolia coach) Robert Day does a great job.”
Offensively, the Panthers are led by junior quarterback Addison Henson. Henson has racked up 813 passing yards this year and has thrown for 10 touchdowns. Henson’s favorite target is senior Jamar Cooper. Cooper has 504 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
“Our secondary should have their work cut out for them,” Conaway said. “They are going to have to be very sound and cover their receivers. They are also going to have to tackle well. Our DBs are definitely going to be tested this week.”
Magnolia’s main rushing threat is senior running back L.J. Berry. Berry has 1,113 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this year.
“Our defense knows Magnolia has some weapons,” Conaway said. “They can score points quickly. So, we’re going to have to keep a close watch on their backs and receivers.”
GCT has a few offensive weapons of its own with senior running back Standrick Williams averaging 120 rushing yards per game and senior quarterback Justin Johnson averaging a little more than 163 passing yards per game.
Conaway said in order for the Eagles to be successful, they will have to control the Panthers’ defensive line which includes senior defensive end Cameron Davis who averages more than six sacks per game.
“Their defensive line is very big and athletic,” Conaway said. “We’re going to have to block well and protect (the quarterback) well.”
Conaway said he feels GCT has plenty of experience against strong defenses after facing 5A-East opponents this season.
“If we play smart and execute well, we’re very difficult to stop,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who the defense is. We’re focusing on our execution and our ability to score points.”
Conaway said the Eagles are very excited about making the playoffs this season and hope continue their winning ways tonight against the Panthers.
“Our guys are as focused and as intense as they’ve ever been,” he said. “There’s very little play time with these guys. They show up and they want to work. They’ve met their biggest goal of the season, which was to make the playoffs. But they’re not satisfied. They want to keep achieving more and more. I’m proud of them.”
Other 5A first-round matchups tonight:
Greenbrier (W2) vs. LR Mills (SE2)
Forrest City (East 1) vs. LR Christian (SW4)
Alma (W3) vs. White Hall (SE2)
Camden Fairview (SW1) vs. Blytheville (E4)
Vilonia (W4) vs. Monticello (SE3)
Helena (E2) vs. Pulaski Academy (SW3)
Greenwood (W1) vs. Sylvan Hills (SE4)
The Eagles left for Magnolia on Thursday morning and will have a chance to continue to make history tonight when they face the Panthers in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Panther Stadium.
Beating Magnolia will not be easy as the Panthers finished the regular season 7-3 and have a record of 5-2 in the 5A Southwest. Magnolia will also put its 5-0 home record on the line.
GCT also has a 5-2 conference record in the 5A-East and is 4-1 on the road this season. GCT coach Jeff Conaway said he knows his Eagles are facing a “very athletic” Panther team tonight. Both squads feature a high-powered offenses as the Eagles have averaged nearly 28 points per game and the Panthers have averaged more than 25.
Both teams also have defensive units that are among the best in the 5A. The Panthers have yielded a little more than 18 points per night and the Eagles have allowed about 11 points per game.
“They’re going to be tough to beat,” Conaway said. “They’ve got a good offense and a really solid, fast, aggressive defense. They are very well coached. (Magnolia coach) Robert Day does a great job.”
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“Our secondary should have their work cut out for them,” Conaway said. “They are going to have to be very sound and cover their receivers. They are also going to have to tackle well. Our DBs are definitely going to be tested this week.”
Magnolia’s main rushing threat is senior running back L.J. Berry. Berry has 1,113 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this year.
“Our defense knows Magnolia has some weapons,” Conaway said. “They can score points quickly. So, we’re going to have to keep a close watch on their backs and receivers.”
GCT has a few offensive weapons of its own with senior running back Standrick Williams averaging 120 rushing yards per game and senior quarterback Justin Johnson averaging a little more than 163 passing yards per game.
Conaway said in order for the Eagles to be successful, they will have to control the Panthers’ defensive line which includes senior defensive end Cameron Davis who averages more than six sacks per game.
“Their defensive line is very big and athletic,” Conaway said. “We’re going to have to block well and protect (the quarterback) well.”
Conaway said he feels GCT has plenty of experience against strong defenses after facing 5A-East opponents this season.
“If we play smart and execute well, we’re very difficult to stop,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who the defense is. We’re focusing on our execution and our ability to score points.”
Conaway said the Eagles are very excited about making the playoffs this season and hope continue their winning ways tonight against the Panthers.
“Our guys are as focused and as intense as they’ve ever been,” he said. “There’s very little play time with these guys. They show up and they want to work. They’ve met their biggest goal of the season, which was to make the playoffs. But they’re not satisfied. They want to keep achieving more and more. I’m proud of them.”
Other 5A first-round matchups tonight:
Greenbrier (W2) vs. LR Mills (SE2)
Forrest City (East 1) vs. LR Christian (SW4)
Alma (W3) vs. White Hall (SE2)
Camden Fairview (SW1) vs. Blytheville (E4)
Vilonia (W4) vs. Monticello (SE3)
Helena (E2) vs. Pulaski Academy (SW3)
Greenwood (W1) vs. Sylvan Hills (SE4)
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| Strong to the finish | Local athletes named All-State |
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