Tigers are in must-win mode

The Smith-Cotton Tigers understand they can’t afford another letdown after last week’s 34-6 loss to Harrisonville.

Fighting to keep their district playoff hopes alive with two regular-season games remaining, the Class 4 eighth-ranked Tigers will be tested Friday at Grain Valley (7-1). The schedule doesn’t get any easier the following week, when the Tigers face Warrensburg (4-4) Oct. 29 at Jennie Jaynes Stadium.

“We got to win out and our kids understand that,” Smith-Cotton coach Mark Johnson said. “We’re in the same situation Warrensburg and Grain Valley are in: Win and you’re in, and lose and you’re out. We know where we’re at and we’re very aware of what’s on the line.”

Coming off a performance where they committed nine penalties, turned the ball over three times and didn’t score in the first half, the Tigers will face an Eagles team that is undefeated at home and riding a five-game win streak.

The Eagles have thrived in a flexbone offensive scheme (triple-option attack), averaging 41.5 points a game. They are propelled by quarterback Austin Gouldsmith, fullback Trace Goade and running back D’Marco Davis.

“We try to balance it up,” Grain Valley defensive coordinator and assistant coach Marc Cleveland said. “Against some better defensive teams like Pleasant Hill, we’ve got the ball rolling. Gouldsmith is a tremendous athlete who has a knack for reading plays and making good choices. When the ball’s in his hands, we’re in good shape. ... We take what teams give us and I like our attack because we can adapt against any defense.”

Smith-Cotton’s defense allowed a season-high five touchdowns last week against Harrisonville, and likely will have its hands full trying to contain the Eagles’ ground game. The Tigers’ defense is giving up an average of 13.5 points a contest, even after the 34 points posted by Harrisonville.

In comparison, the Eagles have allowed nearly 23 points a contest, giving up 49 points to Chillicothe (6-2) and 35 points to both Marshall (2-6) and Pleasant Hill (5-3).

“Our defensive numbers are deceptive because they’re a bit inflated,” Cleveland said. “We’ve kind of been up and down, but we’ve also been able to step it up in situations, kind of bend not break. But defense-wise, we’ve had to deal with our special teams, which is been suspect. In terms of giving up field position, along with giving up three or four kickoff returns for a touchdown, they’ve kind of put our defense in trouble and inflated the points allowed number.”

Smith-Cotton’s Andrew Byrd, Ramon Arias and Sam Brummett, who’ve all had success in the return game this year, will look to exploit the Eagles’ special teams to set up the Tigers’ offense.

Behind a run-heavy attack, the Tigers have averaged more than 37 points a game. Byrd averages 166 rushing yards per game and 9.16 yards per carry, and he has scored 21 touchdowns to lead a rushing attack that averages just less than 300 yards and five touchdowns a contest.

Quarterbacks Dominique Smith and Kendal Brown have completed 65 percent of their passes, but for only 63 yards a game. They have connected for only four passing touchdowns, compared with three interceptions.

“We need to be ready this week, because we don’t want to be defined by our loss to Harrisonville,” Smith said. “The playoffs mean a lot to us and we need to get back on the same page. Last week, people split from the team and now we know we have to become a team. We’re focused, we’ve heard what coach has to say and we’re ready. I need to play well, complete my passes and get our run game ready because this is a must-win game.”

NOTE: The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. to accommodate those attending Ross Dey’s funeral, which is set for 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Sedalia.

There will be a moment of silence for Dey prior to kickoff.

UP NEXT
Matchup: Smith-Cotton at Grain Valley
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Radio: KDRO (1490 AM) and KSDL (92.3 FM)