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Ready for the rematch
Published November 12, 2009
On Oct. 8, Guntersville rallied from a 23-7 deficit to stun North Jackson 30-23 and kick off a five-game winning streak that produced the program’s first region championship.
Friday night, the stakes will be much higher when the eighth-ranked Wildcats (9-2) play host to the Chiefs (8-3) in a rematch in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 o’clock on Phil Isom Field at Chorba-Lee Stadium.
The prize for the Guntersville/North Jackson winner will be a berth opposite the Cherokee County/Fayette County winner in the quarterfinals Nov. 20.
Guntersville and North Jackson have met once in the postseason.
In 2007, the Wildcats upset No. 1 and unbeaten North Jackson 17-10 at Stevenson in the second round.
“They’ve got an outstanding football team and are very well-coached,” said Isom, who is in his 11th season as the Wildcats’ head coach.
“It was a heckuva football game the first time, and we just hope we can prepare and get ready and have another good game this week.”
In the regular-season meeting, North Jackson built a 13-0 lead and was threatening to score again when Mason Biddle intercepted a pass and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.
Isom believes it’s critical for the Wildcats to get off to a better start Friday.
“We’ve got to do a good job handling the football, make some first downs and just try to get in a rhythm and get things going a little earlier in the game,” he said.
“We need to make sure we play a complete game this week and be in it early and stay in it. We just have to play a complete game this week to be successful.”
North Jackson defeated No. 10 Brooks 36-19 in the opening round of the state playoffs. It was the 200th victory in the Chiefs’ 22-year history.
Quarterback Will Richard is 165-of-249 passing for 2,526 yards and 33 touchdowns. He’s thrown 13 interceptions, including four in the first meeting with Guntersville.
Montel Hale leads the Chiefs in rushing and receiving. Hale has gained 529 yards on 105 attempts and scored 10 touchdowns. He has 60 receptions for 1,124 yards and 19 TDs.
Jovani Taylor has caught 54 passes for 849 yards and 13 scores.
Zack Hammontree paces the Chiefs with 106 tackles.
“They’ve got athletes, just so many different ones,” Isom said. “There’s several of them that every time they touch it, they have a chance to take it the distance.
“We’ve just got to defend and play good technique for us to slow them down, whether it be kickoffs, punts or their offense. We have to make sure we play and do what we do, or we’ll be in trouble in a hurry.”
Guntersville’s defense has allowed only 20 points since the second half of the first North Jackson game.
The Cats have returned interceptions for TDs in four games during their five-game winning streak.
“Our defense has played really well the last few weeks, since the North Jackson game,” Isom said.
“We emphasize getting after the football and playing good technique and playing hard, and when you get them doing that, good things can happen.”
Isom saluted several Wildcats for their performances over the past few weeks.
“Defensively, I think our linebackers have played well. Jesse Teal has done an outstanding job, and Mason Biddle has some good picks and has played really good on defense. Corey (Cahill) has had some big picks.
“We could mention Mazo (Jacob Maksimowski) and Yazo (Joey Maksimowski) in the secondary, and (David) Oberle at outside linebacker.
“On our defensive front we’ve been playing four or five guys, and (Tyrek) Minson, (J.R.) Spires and those guys have done a good job.
“Our offensive line has played well, led by our two seniors, Thad Black and Cody Cooper.
“(Quarterback Chris) Daniel had a good night throwing the ball last week and has ran the ball more the last couple of weeks. He’s done a good job.
“Corey, Biddle and (Reid) Barnett have caught the ball well.”
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