Britt Gillette tracks down a running back in a game earlier this year. | Enquirer file photo

Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

Another week and another high stakes Class 6A Region 8 game will be taking place at J.P. Cain stadium. This time the Hartselle Tigers will be welcoming the Decatur Red Raiders. This game brings huge stakes with it as both teams are still battling for the region championship. Both teams have clinched playoff spots but a loss here could all but eliminate them from region championship contention as well as put them in danger of having to go on the road for the first week of playoffs.

Schedule overview: Both teams come in with one loss on their record, and that one loss for both teams has come to the 5-2 Austin Black Bears. Decatur lost to Austin 37-35 in triple overtime while Hartselle lost to the Black Bears 24-16. The other teams that both have played so far are Athens, Hazel Green and Florence. Hartselle defeated Athens 41-7, Hazel Green 40-18 and Florence 13-0. Decatur has defeated Athens 31-28, Hazel Green 27-12 and Florence 26-22. Both teams are currently tied for first in the region and have clinched a playoff spot but would need to win out as well as an Austin loss to Muscle Shoals or Athens to secure the region title.

Strengths: Hartselle and Decatur are normally almost the same team. Both teams love to play strong defense and love to run the ball. However, this year, with the emergence of quarterback Trevor Oakes and injuries to running backs, Hartselle has developed a strong passing game. That passing attack was slowed last week against Austin but the Tigers will look to get back on track this Friday as Oakes still leads the region in passing. Meanwhile, Hartselle welcomed back running back Taylor Easterling, who started the last two seasons, last week for his first action this season. Easterling’s return was a welcomed addition to a team that only rushed for 24 yards against Hazel Green, as he finished with over 100 yards vs. Austin, which included an 80-yard touchdown run. Defensively, Hartselle comes in with one of the strongest rush defenses in the area. Decatur comes in with a strong running attack and a tough defense. Ladarious Woods in of the area’s toughest runners and is a load to bring down. Defensively, Decatur has been strong on defense all year, as they’ve only allowed over 30 points once.

Keys to victory: For Hartselle, getting back to their offensive rhythm they had before the Austin game will be important. The passing attack that has been so dangerous throughout the season, never found its groove vs. the Black Bears. Having some health back at the running back position should help. For Decatur, applying pressure to the quarterback and disrupting the passing game will be important. Austin kept constant pressure on Oakes and never allowed him to settle in the pocket. Recreating that could be the Red Raiders biggest chance at winning.

Players to watch: For Hartselle the players to watch outside of the quarterback will be Shamaud Swope and Taylor Easterling. Decatur will want to run the ball with Woods but he’ll have to do it against Swope. Swope has been a big asset in stopping the run this year at his nose guard position and will create a big challenge for Decatur. A big game from Easterling would be huge in creating balance and taking pressure off Oakes. An offense that is strong in both running and throwing is hard to stop. Hartselle’s veteran offensive line will need to have a big game as well.

For Decatur the players to watch will by John Reihl and Joshua Marsh. Hartselle’s top corner will likely be lined up against Decatur’s Tyrique Purvis so Decatur quarterback Alec Marks could be looking for Reihl a lot. Last week, Austin’s second leading receiver Jalik Jaggwe had the bigger game and that could be the case this week as Reihl is a steady receiver in his own right. Defensively, Marsh is a tackling machine and is guaranteed to be wherever the ball is almost every play.

Series history: The Decatur Hartselle rivalry is too long to discuss all the history but the recent games bring in some interesting numbers. Both teams have traded games since 2010 with the red Raiders winning the 10, 12 and 14 contest while the Tigers have won the 11, 13 and 15 contest. This rivalry has also been kind to the visiting team in recent years. Decatur is 3-1 at J.P. Cain stadium since 2009. Also, Hartselle Head Coach Bob Godsey has never defeated Decatur twice in a row since he came to Hartselle in 2003.

While all the stats favor Decatur, stats don’t mean a thing when the game actually starts. It’s sure to be an exciting game.