[10/23/03]When Tallulah Academy lost its Conference 5-A opener to Porters Chapel early in September, it faced a simple but daunting challenge run the table in one of the toughest conferences in Academy-A football, or stay home for the playoffs.

Six weeks later, the Trojans (7-2, 4-1 in conference play) are on the verge of accomplishing that goal. For the second straight year, the only thing standing between them and the 5-A title is longtime rival Briarfield (7-2, 4-1).

When the teams meet in Lake Providence Friday night, both the tension and the stakes will be high. The winner takes home the conference championship. The loser draws a date with powerhouse Trinity in the first round or misses the playoffs altogether.

“This was going to be a big game before the season started,” Tallulah coach Jacky Thames said. “There’s plenty of pressure there regardless of whether there’s a championship involved or not.”

No matter the outcome of the game, the loser will be involved in a three-way tie with Sharkey-Issaquena and Deer Creek for the second playoff spot in Conference 5-A.

If that team is Tallulah, the Trojans likely will win a tiebreaker based on wins against both SIA and Deer Creek. If the third team is Briarfield, however, things get wacky. Briarfield, SIA and Deer Creek all have wins against each other. In that scenario Deer Creek probably would win the tiebreaker based on defensive points allowed, but Briarfield and SIA wouldn’t be out of the playoff picture completely.

Both teams are very much alive for one of the two wild-card berths awarded through a power points system. Briarfield is second in the power points rankings, while SIA is eighth. Some of the teams ahead of SIA play each other, however, and some will finish first or second in their own conferences, opening the door for the Confederates.

“We stand a good chance for the wild-card,” Briarfield coach Lance Prine said.

That’s some consolation for the Rebels, who could have wrapped up a playoff spot last week with a win against SIA. Instead, Briarfield took its first loss since the first week of the season, 24-8, and put itself in a precarious position.

“Sharkey lined up and whipped us. They’re a good team that lost three straight, and we gave them a couple of breaks early,” Prine said. “I hope we rebound and come out to play.”

Behind a seemingly unstoppable running game and a tenacious defense, the Trojans have outscored their opponents 264-63 this season. Three backs have combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing, led by senior Cade Marsh (978 yards, 14 touchdowns).

Thames said the loss to PCA woke his team up and turned the season around.

Now, all the Trojans and the Rebels need is another victory. It’s easier said than done, but everyone involved knows what’s at stake this week.

“This was one of our goals that we set early on. It’s been on our board for 10 weeks, so there’s not much that needs to be said,” Thames said. “This is one of those situations that there really needs to be no motivation. It’s built in.”