CALEDONIA — Just win, baby.
Those are the only words Caledonia High School football coach Andy Crotwell needs to say to his team at 7 tonight prior to its game against Leake Central.
A win by Caledonia (5-5, 2-2 Class 4A, Region 4) would keep things simple. It would give the Confederates the No. 3 seed in Region 4 and their first playoff berth since 2005.
Things get infinitely more problematic for Caledonia if it loses because it opens up several possibilities. A loss to Leake Central (6-4, 1-3) would mean Caledonia loses the tiebreaker in a head-to-head matchup and would be knocked out of the playoffs if Houston (5-5, 2-2) upsets Noxubee County tonight in Macon.
A Caledonia loss and a Houston loss would create a three-way tie for the region’s final two spots. Given Caledonia defeated Houston and Houston beat Leake Central, the tiebreaker would come down to point differential, meaning a Caledonia loss by two or more points would eliminate the Confederates. A loss by one point would give Caledonia the No. 4 seed.
“Our expectation is to do everything we can do to come out on the positive side of the scoreboard,” Crotwell said. “Leake Central is going to have something to say about that because they’re in a similar situation because if they don’t win by two or more, they are out because it has come down to that third tiebreaker with points.”
Crotwell outlined all of the possibilities for his players earlier this week. In previous years, Crotwell has maintained he would be honest with his players about how much work needed to be done to make the program a contender. The Confederates have made progress in that regard, matching their most wins in a single season since 2005.
Despite the progress, Crotwell would enjoy a win to guarantee a postseason berth that would help his seniors realize a season-long goal. He feels he has a mature team that will be up for the challenge of going on the road to get a win to guarantee a playoff berth.
“(Getting to the playoffs) has been their goal, and I think they are eager to attain it and set a new goal,” Crotwell said. “That is the kind of guys we have. It has been a great group of guys to work. They are focused and goal-oriented individuals in the classroom and on the field. I am excited for them for Friday night and the possibilities that are there, and further down the line as they put football behind them.”
Senior offensive lineman Cody Cliett said the team has stayed focused on its goals and hasn’t worried about the playoff race. He said the Confederates “can taste” the playoffs, but he said they know they have to win and that they have “no options” but to win. He said a victory would help validate the progress everyone has made on the field and in the weight room to push the program forward.
“I just hope everybody goes out there and plays the best they can and gives it all they got and leaves it all on the field,” Cliett said. “After that, hopefully, we can be able to celebrate it.”
To realize that goal, Cliett said Caledonia has to have the right mind-set and “expect” to win, not “hope” to win. As a senior leader who would love to end his career with a trip to the playoffs, Cliett hopes to keep everyone’s heads straight and to encourage them not to stress out about the playoff implications.
“We want to treat this like it is just another game,” Cliett said. “We want to go out there and play and it will take care of itself.”
Winning has a way of doing that.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
