PCA, Lee set for showdown|[11/18/2005]

Published 12:00 am Friday, November 18, 2005

Without saying a word, Randy Wright answers the question of how long it took to get over last year’s playoff loss to Lee Academy (Ark.).

Wright, the Porters Chapel coach, just cocks an eyebrow and looks at his watch with a face that seems to ask, &#8220What day is it?”

PCA lost that first-round game 26-20, but had plenty of chances. The Eagles let Lee come back from an early 13-0 deficit, dropped two potential touchdown passes, and had seven penalties, most of them in key situations.

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Lee went on to lose in the Academy-A state championship game, and PCA was left wondering about the game – and maybe the state title – that got away.

&#8220We have not gotten over that,” Wright said. &#8220We’ve been very focused all year long. I’m sure it has something to do with our early exit last year. We knew, eventually, we were going to have to beat Lee. We’ve had that in the back of our minds all year long.”

The Eagles (11-0) finally get their rematch tonight in the North State championship game. Lee (11-1) comes to town with the best offense in Academy-A football, averaging almost 41 points per game. PCA has the best defense, allowing 10 points all season and no offensive touchdowns.

Whichever unit has the better game tonight figures to propel its team to the state championship game in two weeks.

&#8220So far, I think the only person that can beat us is ourselves,” said PCA’s Kenny Simms, who has rushed for 640 yards at tailback and registered 94 tackles and seven sacks at defensive end. &#8220Defense wins championships. Their high-powered offense has gotten them this far, but if we can hold them to a few touchdowns our offense will pound them.”

Holding the Cougars to &#8220a few touchdowns” has not been easy for anyone, though.

Only Desoto, North Delta and Tunica have held Lee under 30 points, and the Cougars have scored 30 or more in seven of their last eight games. Led by rocket-armed quarterback Landon Bullard and speedy tailback Matthew Gerrard, who has rushed for about 1,500 yards this season, the Cougars operate from a spread offense that can run or throw.

&#8220We bring a team that’s better on the defensive side of the ball, and maybe not as explosive on offense,” said Lee coach John Holcombe, a strange statement for a team that has scored 490 points this season.

The running game was the key in last year’s win over PCA. Lee spread the field with four or five receivers, then ran draws from the shotgun all night long. Lee totaled 257 yards on the ground – 113 of it by Bullard, who also threw for 172 yards – and controlled the ball for almost 30 minutes.

With that memory still fresh, Wright said his team is better prepared for Lee’s attack this time around.

&#8220Obviously, they spread us out last year. They ran the ball way more effectively than we thought they would, and we’re going to have to gear up to stop their running game,” Wright said.

PCA also needs to gear up its own running game, which has been the key to its attack.

Chris Mixon leads Warren County with 1,360 yards and 18 TDs, and has gained 406 yards in two playoff games. Simms has also been a reliable back, with 640 yards and eight TDs on the year.