Sports
Mays Eyes Home Playoff Berth In Duel At Marist
Raiders and War Eagles clash with second place up for grabs; Westlake looks to avoid clinching sub .500 record.
When it comes to football excellence in southwest Atlanta, there’s , and then there’s everyone else.
The Raiders (7-1, 7-1 Region 6-AAAA) are helmet and shoulder pads above the teams in the area, standing tall as the marquee program of the neighborhood.
With just two games remaining on the docket, it’s not a question of if Mays will make the playoffs, but who it will face, and the location of the game.
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The players, coaches and fans will be one step closer to knowing the answer when the Raiders play at Marist (7-1, 7-1 Region 6-AAAA), Friday.
Second place in the region will be up for grabs when the schools lock horns in this pivotal late-season contest in DeKalb County.
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With the win, Mays will clinch at least a second seed in the region, which would earn the Raiders a home playoff game in the first round.
“This is a game we need to win with a No. 2 seed on the line,” said Mays head coach Dominic Calloway. “We’re confident we can play well versus their (Marist) triple option. We have to know our assignments. Offensively, we want to get them in space with our athletes. We have the advantage outside. We have to make sound decisions.”
Defensive discipline will be the key to success for Mays. Marist is a run-first offense that executes the triple option to near perfection. The War Eagles’ offensive linemen set up in a four-point stance and crab-walk while pushing opposition backwards.
To offset this, the Raiders will have to rely on their muscle to withstand Marist’s forward momentum.
“We have to be hard-nosed for four quarters. They want to go three yards and a cloud of dust. We’re going to be quick and physical,” said assistant defensive coordinator Johnny Rutledge.
Woes at Westlake
Life on the gridiron at has been a painful experience in 2011.
The Lions' once mighty roar after opening the year at 2-0, has been reduced to a quiet purr as the squad has struggled to string together wins this season.
Last week, Westlake fell at Newton 35-14, which dropped its record to 3-5 and 1-4 in Region 2-AAAAA. The Lions have lost five of six, all by double figures, and currently sit tied for fifth place in the league.
Westlake needs to win out to avoid consecutive losing seasons, and this mission begins Friday on its home turf versus Luella.