Playoff bid on the line for Phoenix
Sonoraville and Ringgold have played some pretty entertaining and exciting games the last few times they have met, but when they match up on Friday the stakes will be even higher.
The Phoenix will host Ringgold at 7:30 p.m. in a Region 6-AAA play-in game with the winner advancing to play next week in the Class AAA State playoffs and the loser heading into the offseason.
Sonoraville (6-3, 3-1), who is the No. 2 seed from 6-AAA South, will be looking to keep a couple streaks alive on Friday in front of their home fans. With a win, they would secure their fourth straight state playoff berth, and they would also extend their winning streak to three over the Tigers.
The Phoenix won earlier in the season at Ringgold by a 49-21 score, pulling away in the second half after a back-and-forth first two quarters. They leaned heavily on their dynamic duo of running back Tristan Key and quarterback Patrick Moore in that win on Sept. 23 as they will look to do again on Friday night. The pair combined to run for 330 yards and five touchdowns, and Moore also threw for a touchdown in the victory.
That win followed a similar wild affair in October of 2015, which Sonoraville won 41-33 on the road, needing a last-minute defensive stop to earn their first-ever victory over the Tigers.
Ringgold (5-4, 3-1) comes into Friday’s game as the No. 3 seed from Region 6-AAA North and winners of their last two games. They have an explosive offense that has had little trouble scoring points this season, scoring 21 or more in every game so far. They are led by quarterback Cole Kibler and top receiver Andre Tarver. Starting running back Dee King has missed some time with an injury and is questionable to play.
While offense hasn’t been the Tigers’ problem, they have given up their share of points on the defensive side of the ball. The unit has allowed 30 or more points six times with Sonoraville’s 49-point effort tied for the most points they have allowed in a single game.
Sonoraville’s defense has given up an average of 21 points per game, but they have gotten some timely stops and turnovers in close games and boast playmakers at each level led by Sherrod Agee, Ryan McCallion, Bruce Jennings, Tate Moore and others.
The Phoenix should also be well rested following a week off after their lone subregion loss to Calhoun a couple Fridays ago.
Prediction:
The Phoenix should feel confident going into this week’s do-ordie game as they have come through in several big-time, back-againstthe-wall situations over the past few seasons. Plus, they are at home on Friday after winning their last two matchups against Ringgold on the road.
Sonoraville still has a chance to get the No. 2 seed from Region 6-AAA with a win and a North Murray loss to Adairsville. But the Phoenix can’t worry about anything happening outside of their control and focus their attention completely on Ringgold and their explosive passing attack.
There’s no tomorrow for one of these teams so intensity will be high. Shootouts have become common in this series, and that should continue with the amount of talent each team has on offense. But just like the matchup earlier this season, the Phoenix have a little more depth and staying power, and that will be the different. Sonoraville pulls away in the second half and rides into the playoffs.
Score:
Sonoraville wins, 42-30.