Woodland’s Brandon Thompson (3) returns an interception against Chattahoochee in their game Oct. 7, won by the Cougars, 58-20. The Wildcats entertain Creekview on Friday. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
SKIP BUTLER/The Daily Tribune News
The Wildcats (3-5, 3-5) have plenty of incentive against the Grizzlies (4-5, 4-5) as they look to get back on the winning track while also observing Senior Night.
Head coach Vince DiLorenzo said a lot of Wildcats will be playing their last game in front of the people who have supported them throughout their high school careers.
“This is the last time our seniors will be performing at Woodland,” he said. “It sure would be nice for them to go out in a way for people to remember. This is one of the things you should relish as a player. You should be pumped up. It is an opportunity to play with the emotion football should be played.”
The Wildcats will be playing a team with a comparable win-loss record that DiLorenzo said will challenge them.
Woodland has lost its last three games, to Chattahoochee, 58-20; Lambert, 38-34; and Northwest Whitfield, 42-13, and will want to take the first step toward putting a good close to its season in Region 7-AAAA.
The Grizzlies, coached by Al Morrell, are entering the game with some momentum, having reeled off victories against South Forsyth, 28-13; Cass, 41-38; and Forsyth Central, 27-17.
A victory would lift the Wildcats to a tie with the Grizzlies, who are in sixth place in the region. Woodland is in the seventh spot.
Creekview, on the season, has been a little stronger defensively than Woodland, giving up 28 points per game to the 30 surrendered by the Wildcats.
Woodland has performed a little better offensively, lighting up the scoreboard for 27 points per Friday while the Grizzlies are scoring to the tune of 23 points per effort.
“Like everyone else we’ve played, they’re well coached and they have some really good football players,” DiLorenzo said. “Their fullback ... weighs about 240 pounds and could run 30 plays a game, he’s that physical. They have a lot of skill players plus a quarterback who distributes the ball really well. They can beat you throwing, and they can beat you running.”
DiLorenzo said Creekview doesn’t wait for a short field to score. “They’re capable of 15 to 16-play drives. They can make three or four yards at a time, then rip off 12 to 15 yards. They offer another challenge for our defense to play a team with a very good multiple offense that has a lot of skill players.”
He said his Wildcats will have to focus on doing their job. “We have to play assignment football. You have to do your job and don’t try to do someone else’s job. We’ll have to get the other 10 players to also do their job and hopefully we’ll get some three-and-outs. We haven’t had that many lately.”
DiLorenzo said Woodland players will try to position themselves in the right position to make the play.
“All our defensive coaches work hard to put our players in the right position to make stops,” he said. “We’re looking for improvement there.”
He said the Wildcat offense will be tested. “Defensively they get after you,” he said. “They have an excellent front. They are one of those teams where we’ll have to play our best, but it’s a game we’re capable of winning if we play our best.”
He said the team will be looking to find a way to win.
“You’re challenged every week. There just aren’t any excuses [for losing]. We have to get the job done. There can’t be any [excuses]. We can’t make any. After eight games, it’s time we are disciplined enough to play with effort, heart and passion. It’s about pride.”
Woodland also will honor its 22 senior players as well as the senior members of its band and cheerleading teams as part of Senior Night. The seniors will be introduced and escorted by someone important to them.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.