Hornets focused on must win game

Friday night’s contest in Ocilla will be the biggest game in Pelham football since the Hornets played in the state semifinals in 1966. That is 52 years ago. The Hornets will face top-ranked Irwin County and be looking for a shot at a state title the following week. Both teams are 12-0 and the Indians are currently ranked #1 in the state, while Pelham is ranked #3. If you glance at MaxPreps.com and look at the standings for Class A football, Irwin County is number one and Pelham is number two.

Pelham has been on the field after school every evening this week preparing for the big game. Even with temperatures and wind chills near freezing, the Hornets have been working. But Pinkins said he and the Hornets are treating this like every other playoff game. He doesn’t think Irwin will have an extra advantage because of their experience playing in big games.

“This is a win or go home game. We have the same approach that we have had for the other playoff games.” said Pelham Head Coach Dondrial Pinkins.”The team that wants it the most will win. We know this is a one week at a time thing. If we lose we have to sit a watch someone else play for that championship, so our guys are motivated.”

The team that wins Friday night’s battle will play in Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the state championship against the winner of defending state champion Clinch County (11-1) vs. Marion County (12-0).

Irwin County comes in with more playoff experience and more big name wins than Pelham. The Indians lost last year’s state championship to Clinch County after beating Clinch County in the regular season. This year Irwin has defeated Clinch County again in regular season play and another final four team in AA, Fitzgerald. The Indians beat Fitzgerald 16-10 in the second game of the season and Fitzgerald will play Heard County Friday night in the final four for Class AA.

However, Irwin County had to come from behind last week to win 26-23 late in the game against Commerce. The Hornets breezed through a big win over Greene County. Another thing to consider…Pelham beat Miller County 63-20 in regular season play. Irwin County beat Miller County 41-0 in the playoffs two weeks ago.

The Irwin County team will bring a big, physical attack on offense. “They run power football,” the coach said. “They are strong and physical and well coached. We have got to be disciplined,” Pinkins said. Irwin County features two strong running backs in Jay Stanley (6’1”, 200) and DJ Lundy (5’11”, 225). “They are strong and difficult to stop. They will pound you and wear you down in a hurry. We have to get multiple hats on the ball and stop them on three downs and get our defense off the field.”

The Hornets have already made school history with their 12-0 record and an appearance in the state semifinals. But Pinkins and the Hornets are one step away from a title shot. That is something Pelham football has never done. Just one more Pelham, one more.