By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson — The 10-year drought has a chance to end.
A decade of close calls, near misses and headaches can all be put to rest.
All it takes now is one win for the Napoleon football team.
One more win, that is.
“It’s a righteous feeling right now,” coach Scott Ashe said about his team’s chance to clinch a playoff spot Friday night at East Jackson. “The kids see what the dedication and hard work and discipline can do. We’ve had some good teams build up to this. This group believes in itself.”
After starting 0-2, Napoleon has won five games in a row, including last Friday’s 35-17 victory over Manchester.
The Pirates haven’t reached the playoffs since the 2005 team went 6-3.
And while the Trojans are struggling, sitting at 1-6 overall and losers of five in a row, nothing will come easy for Napoleon.
“We’re banged up right now, which is tough,” Ashe said.
The team’s leading rusher and receiver, Greg Weatherspoon, is scheduled to miss the game with an ankle injury.
While he’s the highest-profile player to miss the game, he’s hardly the only person injured.
“But we have some good depth, especially in the backfield,” Ashe said. “Our guys are focused on the game. They’re excited at the opportunity before us.”
East Jackson is allowing 40.3 points per game, so Ashe said the key is continuing to do what’s worked all season.
“We have to focus on what we do,” Ashe added. “We have to be relentless and keep everything on track. Defensively, we have to keep flying around.”
And if there is a sixth win and a playoff spot clinched?
“That’s going to be pretty intense,” Ashe said. “At the same time, we have a short week coming up with a game on Thursday. Hopefully, we’ll get this win, enjoy it for a day, and then get ready for what’s next.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.