Playoff time arrives

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sikeston's James Watson has rushed for 1,485 yards and 17 touchdowns this season for the 8-2 Sikeston Bulldogs. Sikeston will travel to Hillsboro to take on the Hawks at 7 p.m. tonight in a Class 4 regional. (Photo by David Jenkins, Staff)

SHS looks to rebound at Hillsboro

sports@standard-democrat.com

HILLSBORO -- There have been very few occasions during the past three seasons that the Sikeston Bulldogs football team have had to rebound from a lopsided loss.

The 55-21 drubbing put on by the Farmington Knights last week will be their next chance to bounce back from what ended up being a loss that kicked Sikeston from a third-straight district title as well as a SEMO Conference championship as well.

"I think that is a legitimate concern," Sikeston coach Kent Gibbs said about rebounding from a late season loss. "You won't know if you have what it takes in the tank to bounce back until you are put in that position. Do I think we do? I think so."

The team they will have to go through to extend their playoff lives is the 9-1 Hillsboro Hawks on the road.

Sikeston and Hillsboro have played each other just twice before. In 1994 and 1995, the Bulldogs defeated them both times 27-6 and 34-12. Last week, the Hawks defeated DeSoto 63-20 to wrap up their 12th district title in school history.

The farthest Hillsboro has made it in the playoffs is a state semifinal appearance in 1991. They have won just three playoff games in 11 postseason chances.

Their only loss this season was to Festus in Week 3, 36-28.

"It's going to be an emotional game for them," Gibbs said. "It's one of the first times they've had a lot of success here lately during the season and they're hosting. It's going to be a challenge."

Hillsboro's attack mainly consists of a tight-knit running game that pounds the inside. Their double-wing set is similar to the Charleston Bluejays' offense.

Senior Nathan Walsh leads a Hawks rushing attack that averages 269 yards per game. Walsh has gained 1,145 yards on 106 carries and 18 touchdowns. Senior Austin Wagner has rushed for 731 yards on 106 carries and 17 touchdowns.

"They've got some big guys on the line and it's going to be a physical game," Gibbs said. "That's one thing they do well is play physical. I don't know if we have what it will take to stop them on every three or four yard pop they get consistently enough. What we will have to do is take advantage of our scoring opportunities."

Although it's a rare thing to see during a Hillsboro drive, when Hillsboro does decide to throw they are very efficient behind junior quarterback Justin Horn.

The signal caller has completed 33 of 62 passes for 629 yards and 13 touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions. Horn's favorite target is senior Brian Perez who has 22 catches for 462 yards.

"They don't turn the ball over a lot," said Gibbs. "When they do pass they go to their go-to receiver (Perez) and he can make things happen.

"Their passes will usually come out of play-action of one-step drops, so we have to be prepared for that."

Hillsboro dominated their district, outscoring their three opponents by a score of 173-40. For the season, the Hawks are averaging 45 points per game and were held under 28 points just once, a 13-7 win over Sullivan in Week 4. Defensively Hillsboro has allowed only 15 points per game.

Sikeston, on the other hand, will try to erase what was one of their worst losses in recent memory. Against Farmington, they allowed the most yards in a single game this season while also giving up the most points since 2007 in a 63-20 loss to West Plains.

The Bulldogs feature a dynamic running game as well.

With senior running back James Watson leading the way on the ground, Sikeston averages seven yards a carry. Watson leads with 1,485 yards on 178 attempts and 17 touchdowns.

Kyland Gross is the Bulldogs' second leading rusher with 8.6 yards a pop and a total of 557 yards as well as nine touchdowns.

Sikeston's signal caller, David Foster, eclipsed the 1,000-yard passing mark last week against Farmington. Foster, who completes 63 percent of his passes on 59 of 94 passing, has come on as of late in Sikeston's new-found screen pass offense.

Sikeston averages 386 total yards a game and have scored 41.8 points per contest. They have held their opponents to 17.2 points a game.

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