Cougars and Hawks to tangle in 2-3A battle in Holly Springs

By Ike House
The Cougars will be traveling to Holly Springs this week to face another speedy team in 3A, the defending track champions in the district for back-to-back years. They also are fighting for the second best regular season record since 1980.
The Cougars have wrapped up the No. 3 spot in 2-3A behind Charleston and Independence. They have also accomplished an important goal for the season which was locking up a playoff berth.
“We will be on the road to Benton County in round 1 and will have an opportunity with a win to play at home in the second round versus probably Velma Jackson,” head coach Carl Diffee said.
But it is tough for sixteen and seventeen year olds to stay focused on a goal that is already accomplished. Some players feel like it is time to rest because they are already in the playoffs but Diffee says otherwise.
“Friday night is a great opportunity for our guys to improve and get better before the playoffs start. Holly Springs will bring their best shot against us on Friday and they will get ours as well,” Diffee said. “We are not going to abandon our philosophy of brick-by-brick. This game is the culmination of one season before the start of another.”
Even though the Hawks are not having the best season, they are aiming to prove themselves against the number three team in the district. The Hawks have proven over and over again that they are the fastest team in the district.
They will be a hard team to tackle and missed tackles in open space leads to touchdowns. The Cougars still have something to play for in proving that they have not given up on their season and that they are still a dominant team.
“Definitely aware of how fast Holly High is. Those guys have always been a one missed tackle away from 6 team. We must do a great job of pursuing and playing our assignments with great discipline Friday night on defense,” Diffee said. “Offensively, we must establish the line of scrimmage and spread the ball around. Holly Springs has played teams very tough this year and have been in a lot of ball games ‘till late in the game,” he added.
The Cougars will have a challenge in the last regular season game, especially on the road in a tough environment. The Cougars will kickoff at 7 p.m.