(19) Red River at (14) Lakeview 2A First Round High School Football Playoffs - Preview Story The Lakeview Gators under first year head coach Freddie Hallman have pulled off one of the more remarkable turn-arounds you will ever see. The Gators, after missing the playoffs 11 straight years, find themselves not only in the playoffs, but hosting a first round game. It took some growing pains early on for the Gators but after learning the hard-nose approach by Hallman, the Gators have started to peak at the perfect time. The Gators finished the regular season with three straight wins; a 28-7 win at North Caddo, a 57-20 win at home over Red River and a 60-26 win over Lakeside in the regular season finale to secure a home playoff game. The Gators maybe one dimensional offensively, but it has not stopped them thusfar. The running attack led by the trio of Montez and DaMichael Pikes (Brothers) and DeAnthony Brown has given the Gators the ability to control the tempo of all six wins this year. The defense has been a mainstay and it seems like it has been someone different each week that steps up. From senior defensive linemen Juron Supalo to senior linebacker Bobby Mitchell to safety Austin Bledsoe who was then lost for the season to a shoulder injury only to be replace by Adrio Bailey to junior defensive back Russell Watkins. The Gators defense has not missed a beat and it has been a rock during the three game win-streak. While the Gators offense has been unstoppable the last two weeks, they were somewhat stagnant against North Caddo turning the football over four times. But the Gators defense rose to the occassion and turned away several scoring opportunities for North Caddo. Going into Friday nights playoff game, a rematch with district foe Red River, the Gators are confident and ready to play as they have hit their peak at the perfect time. One thing that Hallman cautioned his team about however, was reading too much into their week 9 win over Red River. We played really well in that game, said Hallman. But we got to realize that Friday night none of that matters. They still have playmakers on that team and if we get caught looking back at what we did a few weeks ago instead of getting ready to play this game Friday night, we will be in for a battle. The Gators have a battled all year long not just on the field, but off the field for respect. They were labeled as a basketball school and couldnt cut it on the football field by many critics. Well, Gator fans, I think it is safe to say that going into Fridays nights game with Red River, the critics will be silent. This team is a scary sleeper that is just getting better and better each week. A talented football team with nothing to lose?? Does it get any more dangerous than that for opponents? Lakeview 45, Red River 21
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:17:32 +0000
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