By Dusty Vassey
TIFTON — Friday's football matchup in Adel between the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane and the Cook High Hornets has intense playoff implications for Region 1-AA.
While Fitzgerald (8-0, 6-0 in the region) has already guaranteed a playoff spot with its undefeated record, the Hurricane can wrap up the Region 1-AA title with a win over Cook. The Hornets would be in the playoffs if they started today, and a win over Fitzgerald would put them in the playoffs.
Fitzgerald has a simple scenario. Since it has beaten both of the one-loss teams in the region, Thomasville and Early County, all the Hurricane must do is win one of its final two games. After Cook, Fitzgerald faces Brooks County to end the regular season.
Cook's picture is a little more complicated, but the Hornets control their own destiny. As long as the Hornets do not lose their last two games they will be in the postseason, and they play lowly Mitchell County in the season finisher.
Currently in fourth place in Region 1-AA, Cook would drop into a tie with Brooks with a loss Friday. Cook owns the tie breaker over the Trojans of Brooks County since the Hornets defeated them earlier in the season. If Brooks loses, Cook is in the postseason. Brooks has the week off before finishing against mighty Fitzgerald.
To be in such good position with the playoffs weeks away is the result of a remarkable turnaround for the Hornets. After starting the season 0-3, the team has excelled in region competition, with its only losses being to Thomasville and Early County. The Thomasville game was only a two-point loss.
“They’re the same old Cook team,” said Fitzgerald head coach Robby Pruitt, who said the Hornets are similar to past teams with lots of team speed and a skillful quarterback.
“If we can ever get all our players on the field, we’re pretty good,” said Cook head coach George Dean.
Cook uses a balanced offense with a pair of leaders in the backfield — Ty Goff and David Arnold.
Goff at quarterback is dangerous both as a runner and passer.
“Ty’s a very good field general and has very good field vision from the gun,” said Dean.
Arnold is one of the area's best running backs as a junior and is going for his third straight 1,000-yard season.
“David is a tough hard-nosed football player,” Dean said. “In a few years, he’ll probably be playing at the next level.”
“I don’t know if we’re going to stop them,” Pruitt said about the Hornets. “We just have to slow them down.”
He said his team must counter Cook’s speed and cut down the Hornets’ big plays.
Meanwhile, Fitzgerald has rolled all season. The Cane had beaten every team by at least 19 points until Friday's 14-10 come-from-behind victory over Thomasville.
Pruitt said he was not surprised by the close game against Thomasville. He said he knew it would be close, but his team showed heart by putting together an 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter to win.
“The team showed a lot of character there in the win,” he said.
On the season, Fitzgerald has outscored opponents 295 to 46 and outgained them 2,556 yards to 1,011.
“They’re real good,” Dean said. “They’ve got a great offense and a great defense. They’re a complete ball club.”
So what about stopping the Hurricane?
“You’ve got two problems,” Dean said. “You’ve got to move the ball, and you’ve got to stop them.”
Fitzgerald has dominated behind a powerful rushing attack that has averaged around 10 yards per carry all season. The top runners for the Cane are Nick Williams and Dion Ross.
“They’re both little guys, but they’ve got a lot of heart and good quickness,” Pruitt said. “They’re both seniors so they’ve been around the program for a while. That helps.”
Williams leads the team with 785 yards on 95 carries for 14 touchdowns. He was never bigger for his team than last week when his two touchdowns were the only scores in a surprisingly low output against Thomasville. Ross has 513 yards on 60 attempts and eight scores.
A plethora of other runners carry the ball including Jemea Thomas, Corey Taylor, Larry King and Jarrell Paschal.
When the Cane passes the ball, it depends on Brad Taylor who has completed 21 of 59 attempts for 258 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. His favorite targets are a pair of Pruitts, Trenton and P.J., who have six and five catches respectively.
Victor Ayala gives Fitzgerald a strong kicking game when its needed.
He has made 4 of 4 field goals including a long of 46 yards.
