Goblins face unfamiliar opponent

None of Harrison’s football players was born the last time the Goblins played Wynne, which comes to F.S. Garrison Stadium for a second-round Class 5A playoff game Friday night.

So Harrison coach Joel Wells can see both sides of trying to prepare for the Yellowjackets, a team the Goblins (11-) haven’t seen since a 1998 playoff game that Harrison won by a 38-28 margin.

“It makes things difficult when you watch them on film because you’re not sure if the other team they are playing is that good,” Wells said. “At least when you play teams in your conference, you have a good idea on how good the other team is.

“Then again, it makes it easier because you can have a few surprises for them.”

Wynne (7-4), which advanced with a 10-6 victory over Camden Fairview last week, preaches ball control and likes to grind out the clock with its offensive possessions. If the Yellowjackets are successful in slowing the game down, Harrison will have to treat each offensive possession like it is a crucial one.

“They’re not similar to any team we have played against,” Wells said. “We have played some good defense this season, and we’ll need to do it again. Offensively, we can’t have turnovers and penalties. We’ve done a good job all season of protecting the football, and we can’t be hurting ourselves now.

“We have to find a way to keep their offense off the field, and field position will be critical.”