Charleston High School will host the 4-7 Philadelphia Tornadoes in a second-round state playoff game Friday night. Kickoff at Tiger Stadium will be at 7.
Last week, Philadelphia spanked Water Valley 48-15.
The Tornadoes have “a lot more athletic players” than did last week's CHS opponent, the Walnut Wildcats, said CHS head coach LaDon Taylor.
“From what we see on film, [Philadelphia’s] record does not indicate the type of team they are. ... This is the second round of the playoffs. Every week, if you’re blessed and fortunate enough to move on, it only gets tougher.”
The winner Friday night will advance to take on the victor of this week’s 10-1 Sebastopol Bobcats at the 6-5 Hamilton Lions. Despite their better record, Sebastopol is playing away because they were the runner-up of Region 4-2A, while Hamilton was the champion of Region 1-2A.
If Charleston is victorious, the Tigers will be on the road in the third round no matter the opponent.
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The Tigers put up 38 first-half points en route to a 50-6 rout of Walnut last Friday.
CHS improved to 9-2 while Walnut finished 4-8.
“We came out and executed the game plan,” said Taylor. “The guys played with some enthusiasm. There’s a big goal in mind, and they understand that at this point we can’t take plays off. Every play could be the biggest play. So, the guys performed well. ... I’m proud of their effort.”
The Tigers began last week by scoring twice within a 22-second timeframe, showcasing their quick-strike abilities.
CHS senior defensive end Montra Sanford sacked the Walnut QB for a 10-yard loss to the 8-yard line on the second play of the game. Fellow senior defensive end Eric Hampton forced a safety on the next snap, putting CHS up 2-0 at 10:26 in the first act.
After receiving the kickoff, the Tigers started their first possession at the Walnut 37. Two snaps later, running back Marcus “Deuce” Flowers Jr. burst through the line for a 37-yard touchdown, then ran for the conversion and a 10-0 lead with 10:04 in the first.
The Wildcats managed four offensive plays before on second-and-8 at their own 33, the quarterback was hit and the ball jarred loose. Deondre Riley picked up the ball and returned the fumble to the 17.
On the very next play, Riley, pulled in a 17-yard pass from Devon Olive, who then hit Martiquez Lathan for the conversion and an 18-0 lead with 6:57 in the first quarter.
Quentin Carter scored on a 49-yard TD carry with 1:54 in the first period. The conversion failed, but CHS led 24-0.
Early in the second period, Riley returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown and 30-0 lead at 11:27.
A two-play, 47-yard drive began with Olive hitting Hampton for 23 yards, then Timothy Kirk running for a 24-yard TD. Latese Edwards carried for the conversion and 38-0 lead at 8:32.
In the third quarter, Edwards hit Don Harris for a 19-yard TD, then in the fourth Quintavious Cashaw broke a 61-yard TD run.
Walnut’s only points came via a 4-yard TD run in the fourth.
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Edwards completed 3-of-4 passes for 46 yards and Olive 2-of-3 for 44 yards. Hampton had one catch for 27 yards, Harris one for 19, Deon Wood-all one for 17, Riley one for 17 and Ervin Laws one for 10.
Cashaw led CHS runners with two carries for 65 yards. Carter had two rushes for 55 yards, Flowers had one tote for 37 yards, Kirk one for 24 and Daevon McCord three carries for 12 yards.
