GAINESVILLE — Despite what looks like a complicated solution that could involve a slide rule to decide Region 8-AAAAA's remaining three playoff seeds, it’s really very simple for both the Gainesville and Flowery Branch football teams when it comes to their playoff futures.
Just win, baby (to borrow from the late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis).
The Falcons (6-3, 5-3 Region 8-AAAAA) only have one path if they want to return to the state playoffs after a one-year absence: they must find a way to knock off the Red Elephants (6-3, 6-2) at City Park Stadium Friday night in their season finales. Problem: the Falcons are just 1-5 all-time at City Park Stadium.
“If we lose, we’re out,” Flowery Branch coach Chris Griffin said. “There are a ton of possibilities that can happen if we win but none of them would happen if we lose so it’s pretty clear-cut for us. But it's been a tough place for us.”
For Gainesville, a win clinches the No. 2 seed and at least one home playoff game in the playoffs. A loss would not eliminate the Red Elephants but it would set up a series of scenarios, depending on the outcome of the Winder-Barrow (5-4, 5-3) and Loganville (7-2, 6-2) games, that could have them still taking the runner-up spot to being eliminated altogether in a series of mini-playoffs.
Red Elephants coach Bruce Miller would prefer to take the path of least resistance.
“There are a lot of things that can happen if we lose so basically we control our fate. We just need to win and then we don’t have to worry about anything else,” Miller said.
It’s going to be easier said than done for both teams, who are playing perhaps their best ball each down the stretch. Flowery Branch has been in virtual playoff-mode the past month and is riding a three-game winning streak. Gainesville survived a rash of injuries and a two-game losing streak to win its past two games and put itself in a position to claim a first-round playoff game.
“It’s a rivalry game and with all the scenarios and the fact that (Flowery Branch) has to win, we expect a very tough game,” Miller said. “These are the most dangerous types of game because (Flowery Branch) has nothing to lose so we know they will pull out all the stops to do whatever they have to do to win. They are playing as well as anyone in the region and have put things together at the right time.
“We’re just trying to focus on us and doing the things that we do and try to do them even better. We don’t have to tell our guys what’s at stake, they know.”
The Falcons have gotten back into the playoff race with a change of offensive identity. Known over the years for a spread offense that passes first and runs enough to keep teams honest, they have morphed into a run-first team that resembles old-style smashmouth football.
Senior Trey Wilcoxson leads the team in rushing and combined with junior Jasen Johnson and sophomore Malik Drayton, the Falcons have a formidable trio that has been tough to stop of late. They have controlled the clock and averaged 33 points a game during their winning streak.
Griffin knows that will need to be the recipe for success come Friday night.
“We’ve learned what we’re good at and what we’re not so good at and we’re just trying to play to our strengths,” Griffin said. “All three of those guys have had big games and stepped up for us. We feel like we can have success against them running the ball. The key will be not making those key mistakes like penalties and turnovers. If we can limit those things we have a chance.”
The Gainesville defense, which had just gotten all of its main cogs back last week, will again be without one of its emotional leaders in Cole Handte, who will miss the game per Georgia High School Association rules after being ejected is last week’s win over Loganville.
“That’s a big loss for us but we’re just taking the ‘next man up’ approach,” Miller said. “Cole is one of the leaders out there and that is hard to replace. But we have several guys that can fill in that we think will give us a chance to be successful.”
It has been a long climb back for the Falcons after an 0-2 start in region play. They have won five of their last six overall with the only loss coming to Winder-Barrow in one of the Bulldoggs’ four come-from-behind wins to put themselves in the playoff race.
Griffin said the dedication of his group to not let the season get away from them early is testament to their determination to prove people wrong, especially after early season injuries forced them to go to their third-string quarterback -- junior Kory Graham -- in just their third game of the season.
“Loganville [a 35-0 loss] was a bad game but other than that I feel like we’ve been competitive and improved each week,” Griffin said. “To start 0-2 in this region usually you’re done. So just to get ourselves in a position to get into the playoffs shows the heart and drive and determination of this group, especially the seniors. No matter what happens I could not be more proud of a group than this one for not quitting on the season.”
Gainesville has had its share of adversity as well. Injuries decimated the defense in the middle of the season and was a main reason for losses to Lanier and Clarke Central in back-to-back weeks. Last week’s victory over Loganville was more than just a win, it kept them alive in the playoffs and for a possible home playoff game.
“That was a big win for us because it was the first time in almost two months we basically had our starting groups on the field,” Miller said. “We might have been in some trouble after the Clarke Central game (a 44-7 loss) but these guys stayed with it and we knew once we got everyone back we could be a good football team. I think we showed that last week. But, if we don’t come out with the same kind of intensity (Friday night) that we did the last two weeks we could be in trouble again.”
Looking at stats and trends for both teams it appears to be a toss-up in the true sense of the word. And, it has the makings for an instant classic with both potential seasons at stake.
“I definitely think it’s a toss-up,” Miller said. “Two good offenses and two good defenses and a rivalry game on top of that. I would like to think we have an advantage playing at City Park. Our guys love playing at home and hopefully that will be the difference for us.”
“Like I said before, we’ve been competitive in all but one game and I feel like we’ll be ready (Friday night),” Griffin said. “But that’s a tough place to play and we haven’t had a lot of success there. But I like the way we’re playing right now and I feel if we do the things that we like to do and do them well, we have a chance. That’s all you can ask for at this point in the season.”
