CRUSADERS
“It was a real struggle (for 11-man before) because they didn’t have enough males,” Elkins said. “The school was a decent size, but they just didn’t have enough male athletes. They were having to move the junior high kids up. I just happen to come along at a time when they got more.”
The Crusaders (6-4) got off to a fast start to the season by winning their first four games over Bowling Green 27-14, Delta Streets Academy 55-14, Union Christian Academy 35-0 and Clinton Christian Academy 20-0.
After a three-game losing streak to Winona Christian 16-14, St. Aloysius 27-14 and Riverfield Academy 38-21, Park Place got back on the winning track by defeating Hillcrest Christian Academy 40-16.
The Crusaders split their last two games by losing to Central Hinds Academy 38-14 and winning over Porter’s Chapel Academy 40-7.
Elkins is proud of how his team has managed the season and found a way into the postseason.
“Just to get into the playoffs was an accomplishment,” Elkins said. “Coming from eightman and our first year back in 11, that was good.”
There was a quarterback shift for the Crusaders two games ago because of an injury and an adjustment had to be made.
Elkins had to turn to junior Landon Clark to get the passing game going.
“He is not quite as tall and has a little trouble with his vision in seeing over the line where the other kid was about 6-2,” Elkins said. “That made a difference.”
As the No. 15 seed, Park Place has to hit the road to play No. 2 Starkville Academy on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at J.E. Logan Field.
Coach Chase Nicholson is making sure his Volunteers respect the capability of the Crusaders that has an up and coming athletic program. Two weeks ago, Park Place defeated SA’s girls soccer team for the state championship.
“They are a team on the rise across the board,” Nicholson said. “They bring a lot of excitement to that area and school. They’ve got some good players and from the film we saw, they are who they are and haven’t gotten away from that. They believe in what they do.”