Eagles can boost playoff chances with win

Shelbyville senior running back and linebacker Will Trice and the Golden Eagles host White County in a non-district matchup tonight at 7. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Shelbyville Central returns home and looks to bounce back from a disappointing loss at Tullahoma last week and remain in the TSSAA state playoff hunt tonight against winless White County in a non-district matchup at Eagle Stadium.

The Eagles (4-4) are currently in the battle for a wild card spot for the playoffs with two games remaining in the regular season.

Shelbyville entertains District 8-AAA foe Lincoln County next week to close out its schedule.

The Eagles would qualify for one of the five wild card berths if the regular season was over now so this two-game stretch is very important.

Wild cards are based on a tiebreaker system, starting with overall record.

"We're fortunate to be in a situation where we still control our own destiny in making the playoffs," Shelbyville coach Jason Hardy said. "We started the season 3-0 and that put us in a good position early and hopefully we can finish strong and make the playoffs. We set a goal at the start of the season to make the playoffs and we've talked about still having the opportunity to achieve that goal. We've just got to worry about ourselves and take care of business."

If Shelbyville is going to make the playoffs and have any chance of advancing, the offense is going to have to be more consistent.

The Eagles are only averaging slightly over 14 points per game and didn't score a touchdown last week against Tullahoma.

The defense put the only points on the board when junior Blake Sissom intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

"We've got to do a better job on offense, and it's going to take everyone giving that extra effort on every play," Hardy said. "We've struggled on third down, and we haven't been able to get many big plays. We're going to simplify the offense a little and do what we do best over and over again."

White County may be 0-8 but any team looking for its first win can be dangerous.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can't look at a team's record," Hardy said. "White County has a new coach and he's looking to build a program there. They are going to play hard, especially in search for their first win. They are big and physical and they're getting better and better every week."

If White County has a size advantage Shelbyville should have an advantage in speed.

"They are going to try to pound the ball and control the clock on offense and on defense they are very physical, hard-nosed and like to hit," Hardy said. "We need to be patient and run our offense. We're going to get the ball into our playmakers' hands and maybe we can hit a few big plays as well."

White County allows an average of 39.9 points per game and scores an average of 12.5.

The Eagles will be without their leading tackler for the second straight week. Senior linebacker Hunter Brothers injured his elbow last Wednesday at the end of practice and is out for the rest of the regular season.

"We really miss Hunter on defense. He was out against Tullahoma as well and hopefully he'll be back if we make the playoffs," Hardy said.

Barbecue/fish fry: Central's annual baseball/softball barbecue and fish fry will be held in the cafeteria from 5 to 7 p.m. today. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door.

Bobby "Hoss" Cartwright and Mike Sudberry will handle the cooking duties.