Chuckey-Doak can guarantee itself a postseason berth on Friday night if it can win at home against Region 1-3A rival Pigeon Forge.
“Pigeon Forge is a team that has improved over the course of the season,” Chuckey-Doak coach Billy Kayllor said. “They are on a three-game winning streak and are playing their best football right now. I expect it to be a battle. They are riding high, and this is a big region game for both of us. This is a big game seeding wise, and it should be an exciting Friday night.”
The Black Knights come into the game with a 5-3 record and are 2-1 against Region1-3A opponents. The Tigers are 3-5 and 1-2 in league play. Unicoi county leads the region at 7-1,4-0 and has clinched the top seed in the postseason. The number two seed and a first-round home game is still very much up for grabs. Gatlinburg-Pittman (4-4,2-1) sits tied with Chuckey-Doak right now and they will meet the Black Knights next week. That meeting could decide the No.2 seed if both win this week.
If both Chuckey-Doak and Gatlinburg-Pittman lose this week then Pigeon Forge and Johnson County could climb up the league standings.
Claiborne is the only Region 1-3A eliminated from the playoffs. If Johnson County loses to either Gatlinburg-Pittman or Unicoi County Chuckey-Doak is guaranteed a playoff berth regardless of if it wins either of its final two contests.
“This game gives us a chance to control our own destiny. Getting a home playoff game is huge. If we can win this one, we still have to beat a good Gatlinburg team, but winning this one gives us a chance to fight for a home playoff game,” Kaylor said.
Pigeon Forge enters Friday’s game on a three-game win streak and beat Cocke County 50-14 last week.
The Tigers’ ground game has led the way this year behind a three-pronged attack. Quarterback Andrew Lewis has run for 376 yards, Bryson Stockwell has run for 317 and Donterrius Russell has run for 278.
“They have morphed into a Single-Wing, Wing-T look lately. They run the football really effectively,” Kaylor said. “They are going to play tough, physical football and they are going to run the ball.”
Chuckey-Doak brings its own diverse offensive attack into the game. That starts at quarterback where Kiptyn Ball and Brody Myers have split time, though the last time out against Volunteer Ball handled all the passing duties and threw two touchdowns to Myers.
Skylar Davis has been the playmaker out wide with 10 touchdowns, and Braxton Lowe has been a nice compliment. In the backfield Marcus Britt is the leader with 384 yards, but Brayden Greene has 348 yards and Zaiden Schacke 242.
Chuckey-Doak sat idle last week and has had two weeks to prepare for the Tigers.
Pigeon Forge won last year’s meeting 25-18 in Sevier County. The Tigers lead the all-time series 5-4 and have won the last two.
The game will be live on your airwaves on WIKQ 103.1 FM. Kickoff is set for 7 PM.
