Dooly faces tough task against Emanuel County

Bulldogs have won 11 in a row with five running backs.

Most coaches mince their words a bit when discussing their team. Not Dooly County’s Jimmy Hughes.

He does not hold anything back when asked about the fact that his team, which entered the Class A public school playoffs unranked, is considered a prohibitive underdog in today’s final against Emanuel County Institute (12-1).

“Does it bother me? Yes, it does bother me. It makes me mad that our team is disrespected like that,” Hughes said. “Take nothing away from ECI. They are a well-coached, talented football team. They’ll be tough to beat. I know nobody gives us a chance against them, but nobody gave us a chance at Seminole County (34-28 quarterfinal victory), and nobody gave us a chance last week at Lincoln Coun- ty (10-7 victory).

“I don’t think people realize how much goes into what we do, how much work our kids and coaches put in,” Hughes continued. “This all started back in May and has been building for eight months. These kids aren’t here by accident.”

Still, Hughes knows his task is a formidable one. After a 48-22 loss to Class AAA Washington County in Week 2, ECI has won 11 in a row. The only other team to score at least 20 points on the Bulldogs was Wilcox County, the No. 2 seed in the public school playoffs. ECI defeated the Patriots 38-27 in last week’s semifinals.

The Bulldogs have five running backs who have rushed for at least 300 yards, with senior Greg Purcell leading the way with 1,028 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is also the team’s leading receiver with 363 yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Caleb Pressey, also a senior, has thrown for 880 yards and 15 touchdowns, while running for 304 yards and seven touchdowns.

On defense, ECI is giving up 12 points per game. That unit is led by senior linebacker Taiwan Daughtry, who has 113 tackles, 16 for losses. Bulldogs head coach Chris Kearson, in his third season, is also the defensive coordinator. He was in that role in 2007, when ECI won the state title.

“They beat Wilcox, and Wilcox beat us 2814,” Hughes said, referring to a loss in Week 3 of the season. “ECI has performed well all year, and they are to be commended for what they’ve done this season. They are a great team.”

But Hughes knows he will have the best player on the field — defensive tackle Montravius Adams. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound tackle is one of the most highly recruited players in the nation.

“He is an outstanding young man and a great high school football player,” Hughes said. “He’s played running back for us. He’s played tight end. He’s our kicker and he’s our punter. People don’t know that he averages 35 yards a punt for us.”