Mount Ida at Hazen

Mount Ida staved off a late 2-point conversion attempt last week to advance to its third straight Class 2A semifinal to take on Hazen tonight at 7 p.m. at Hornet Field.

The Lions (11-2) enter the semifinals following last week’s 50-48 slugfest at Conway Christian (10-3), keeping their record at 4-1 against the Eagles. The Hornets (12-0) come in off another blowout victory, this time a 30-7 win over Hampton (8-3).

Here are five things to watch in tonight’s game: Last week

Mount Ida and Conway Christian traded scores early last week, until the Lions took a two-touchdown lead in the third. The Eagles managed to knot the score again in the fourth until senior Lion quarterback Cade Jackson ran the ball 31 yards for the score with seven minutes to go, carrying in on the conversion

play to take an eight-point lead.

“We knew it would be (an offensive battle),” said Mount Ida head coach Michael White. “We knew they would definitely score some points against us. We’re a little depleted defensively.

“We knew we were going to have to score every possession. I think we did every possession but one, and then one right at the end when we were trying to run the clock out. Then, of course, 2-point conversions came in handy.”

Late in the fourth quarter, the Eagles pulled within two on a 26-yard touchdown pass, finding the end zone on the conversion play, but a flag against a Conway Christian receiver moved the ball back 10 yards for another try. This time, the Lions stopped the conversion.

“That was big,” White said. “Of course, they had a penalty that moved them back, which helps. It really helps.”

Offense

Hazen is in the semifinals for the first time since defeating McCrory, 14-6, in 2014. The Hornets eventually lost their state-title bid against Junction City, 38-6, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, finishing with a record of 14-1.

“They’re very good in every position, and I’m talking every position on the line of scrimmage, both offensely, defensively, tight ends, receivers,” he said.

“They’ve got that quarterback and those two backs back there that make them go. They’re big, they’re fast, and they’re aggressive in every position.”

Hazen runs a unique offense, White said, operating its run-based offense out of a shotgun.

“They’re in a shotgun, but they’re running a lot of power and counter trey,” he said. “Very seldomly have they thrown it, especially in the playoffs. We’ve probably thrown it about the same amount of times in the playoffs.”

White, whose team utilizes a run-based offense as well, is hoping for a back-andforth affair between the two teams, burning up the clock.

“It’s going to be one of those games, I hope,” he said.

Defense

As solid an offense as the Hornets run, their defense is just as strong.

Hazen has recorded three shutouts this season, and the Hornets allowed just one touchdown in five more of those games. They have outscored their opponents, 562-97.

“They’re solid,” White said. “They’re big up front. They’re going to crowd the line of scrimmage on us. They’re a very physical football team, probably one of the more physical football teams we’ve played all year.”

Leadership/experience

While the Hornets may look to have the edge numerically, Mount Ida has been in this situation before. Having won a state title two years ago and falling, 24-21, to Foreman last year at War Memorial, White said he feels the experience may give his team the edge.

“I think that if we can pull this out, it will be the deciding factor,” he said. “Maybe we can catch them a little star-struck, hopefully. When you get to the semis — our kids have been here — but there’s a lot of pressure in this game.

“You’re one step away from getting to go play at War Memorial again for us, and they’re one step away. You can have some nerves in this game. I expect that my kids will be more ‘We’ve been there and done that the last two years,’ so I think that’ll help us. “

Injury situation

The Lions managed to overcome the loss of left tackle Hunter Humphries last week. The sophomore tore his ACL in Week 12, leaving White searching his 33man roster for a replacement.

“We moved (senior) Oscar Pinedo from guard to tackle,” he said. “Of course, he’s a bigger body for us; our bigger body kids play tackle. Then we put (senior) Luke Fiorello at guard because he’s a smaller, puller-type kid for us. That’s how we fixed that situation. Obviously, Oscar played tackle last year for us.”

Senior safety Gage Dyer was questionable going into last week’s game, but White said he stepped up to help the defense.

“He played defense, and limped around out there for us, but he played the whole game,” he said. “Of course, we had a defensive end banged up, a bad sprained ankle, but he’s better this week.

“I guess we’re a little more healthy. We had to move Luke Fiorello from tight end to guard last week. We’re just piecing it together, but with low numbers, that’s what you expect, especially when you’re playing the 14th week here.”