The opponent might be daunting for May River on Friday, but the Sharks’ coach doesn’t think the weight of the moment will be too much to bear when May River hosts powerhouse Dillon in the Class 3A Lower State championship game.
“I think our guys understand the magnitude, and they want another chance to prove that they can beat a top team like Dillon,” May River coach Rodney Summers said. “This is what we prepare for. This is where we want to be.”
The Sharks have already made the next logical step in their progression into state championship contender. After flaming out with a 38-2 loss at Dillon in the third round last season, May River has advanced a round farther this year.
The defense came up big again last week, slowing down a potent Strom Thurmond offense and making a stop on fourth-and-1 to clinch a 21-17 victory and propel them into their first Lower State final.
Their opponent has a little more experience on this stage. The Wildcats have reached the state semifinals in 18 of the past 19 seasons and is trying to advance to the state final for the 11th time in 12 years.
If there ever were a year to catch Dillon, though, maybe this is it. The Wildcats had their 52-game region winning streak snapped with a 38-30 loss at Aynor — where the Sharks battered the Bluejackets 36-22 in the second round of the playoffs. Of course, they also knocked off Region 8-3A champion Wade Hampton and rallied for a 41-34 win at Gilbert last week.
“Even though they lost to Aynor this year, they’re still a really good football team,” Summers said. “Lot of speed. We’ve got our hands full. Got a big test in front of us.”
The Sharks always have quarterback Ahmad Green on their side, though, and he and running back Donovan Ling have been racking up rushing yards behind a strong offensive line.
“By far they’ve got the biggest offensive line we’ve faced all year, so we’ve just got to get down and dirty and play hard-nosed football,” Dillon coach Jackie Hayes told the Florence Morning News.
Terry Fields and Melvin Livermon provide a couple deep threats to help Green keep the defense honest, and the Sharks’ defense has been outstanding throughout the playoffs.
May River also will have the home crowd on its side, and the Shark Tank should be rocking for the biggest game in the programs’ four-year history.
“It’s exciting to know just four years ago we started from scratch with two wins the first two years,” Summers said. “We’ve come a long way. It’s very satisfying to be here, but we’re not finished. We want to complete it and try to get to the big dance.”