Patriots, Vikings meet in crucial region game [Video]
The ninth-ranked Homewood Patriots travel up the road to Jasper for a critical Class 6A, Region 5 meeting with Walker on Friday.
The Patriots (5-1, 4-0), seeking their fourth straight region title, lead Walker (5-1, 3-1) by one game in the region. Jackson-Olin is also at 3-1 in the region but has yet to play either Walker or Homewood.
“This is for all the marbles, really,” Homewood coach Ben Berguson. “This sets up to be the region championship. These are the type games as a player and a coach you work all year for.”
The players know that. “We’re preparing for this like it’s a championship game,” senior running back Derrick Underwood said. “We win this, we can potentially win the (region) again.”
While Homewood was taking care of business by beating Minor 20-15, Walker was stunned by Briarwood Christian 15-7.
It’s possible Walker was looking ahead to Homewood. The loss can work one of two ways: the Vikings could be more determined and focused, or they could now have doubts about how good they are.
“They’re really good,” Berguson said. “(Quarterback Jackson) Holladay is really good. He threw three picks in that game, that was the difference. But he’s really good.”
Holladay, who is the son of former Walker and Clay-Chalkville coach John Holladay, was 18-of-35 passing for 154 yards and a touchdown against Briarwood. Berguson is also impressed with their wide receiving corps. Myron Mitchell, Marquell Oliver and Isiah Cox are dangerous.
“Their tailback (Marlon Oliver) is small but he’s quick, superfast. They’ve got a lot of weapons on offense.”
Alex Medina led Walker with 16 tackles against Briarwood. Lane Davenport had six tackles, an interception and recovered a fumble.
“Their defensive front is really good. They’re based out of a three-man front like us,” the Patriots coach said. “Real good linebackers.”
Berguson acknowledges it’ll be tough playing on the road and in a hostile environment.
But he thinks his defense, which has played well all year, will continue to do so. He said the offense has become more consistent as the season has gone on.
“Looking more consistent, looking more polished,” Berguson said. “(Quarterback) Carson (Griffis) is really playing well right now, no doubt. Alec Marsch is making big catches for us. Derrick had 101 yards again this past week. I’m kind of waiting on No. 27 (running back Chestin Jones) to break out.”
This might be the time for Jones to do that. The Patriots will be without running back Nick McCoy, who broke his collarbone against Minor. He had surgery and will be out at least a month.
Heath Brunner’s Vikings lost to Homewood 17-10 last season. Homewood leads the series 6-2.
Kickoff at Ki-Ro/Gambrell Field is 7 p.m. FM-101.1 will broadcast the game.