The Chuckey-Doak football team started the year with the goal of playing in November and a win on Friday night when Claiborne comes to Lower Afton would be a big step in reaching that goal.
The Black Knights come into the game 3-3 overall, but 0-2 in Region 1-3A play. To have a shot at making the playoffs the Black Knights need to win two of their final three region games.
“Playing in November is huge for these young, especially when you look at where we were last year,” Chuckey-Doak coach Billy Kaylor said. “We’re still a young group with just five or six seniors. Most of these guys haven’t had a chance to play in the playoffs, and that would be really big for them. We still control our destiny, and we need to go out and win two region games. This is essentially a playoff game. If we want to play in November we need to win this one.”
Claiborne comes into the game 0-5 on the year and 0-2 in league play. Last week the Bulldogs lost to Gatlinburg-Pittman 56-8. With the exception of an 18-14 loss to Johnson County Claiborne has been on the wrong side of lopsided losses. Through five games the Bulldogs have been outscored 212-28.
After starting the year 3-0 Chuckey-Doak is now on a three-game slide. Friday is an opportunity to get back on track, but it is going to take a new level of effort from the Black Knights.
“We have told the guys that ‘good enough is not good enough’. I think we may have had some of that type attitude the last few weeks. We have really pushed these guys this week, and I hope they understand what it is going to take,” Kaylor said.
Last week in a 16-14 loss to Johnson County Brayden Greene led Chuckey-Doak’s offense with 100 yards rushing on 20 carries and he scored two touchdowns. The Black Knights will want to get him going again on Friday, but the Bulldogs will bring to the contest a big front seven that will load the box.
“They play a 4-4 defense and play cover three. They’ll try to take away the deep ball and they want to be heavy in the box to stop the run,” Kaylor said. “Offensively we need to run to the football, and if we can’t get them to expand the box we are going to have to run on a crowded box.”
On offense the Bulldogs will use some similar looks to what the Black Knights run, with three wideouts and an H-back. Kaylor is hopeful that the familiar looks can help his defense in the matchup.
“They will take some vertical shots and then run some counter and zone stuff,” Kaylor said. “It’s familiar in the sense of formation and plays, but we still have to go out and do our jobs and get stops.”
A year ago Claiborne won the matchup 39-13. Prior to that the Black Knights won three straight over the Bulldogs. Chuckey-Doak leads the all-time series 13-11.
Friday’s game will be the Greene Sports Zone Game of the Week and will be broadcast live on the Greene Sports Zone Facebook and YouTube pages. It will also be on the air on WSMG 95.5 FM. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m and it will be Homecoming Night at Chuckey-Doak.
