Despite falling in the district title game to Seminary Friday, Columbia (8-2) earned the No. 2 seed from Region 8-3A and is set to host its first home playoff game since 2013.
The Wildcats will welcome Morton (3-8) to town Friday night, and head coach Chip Bilderback said the Wildcats are excited to not only host their first playoff game in several years but to play another week of meaningful football.
“Everyone is 0-0, and you get to hit a reset button,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter right now what seed you are or anything like that.”
The Panthers appear to be a great matchup with what Columbia does well as a team. The Panthers have a minus-10 turnover margin, losing 21 fumbles, and have thrown just two touchdowns passes against 12 interceptions. Morton has also completed just 33 percent of its passes for 333 yards on the season.
However, the Panthers do feature a talented runner in Von Jennings, who has rushed for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns at 6.3 yards per carry. He lines up at both running back and quarterback, and while he isn’t a superiorly gifted runner he shows great patience, vision and balance and is tough to square up in the hole. Morton also has a big line with five lineman weighing more than 250 pounds.
“They haven’t had the most successful season they wanted, but they’re really, really big up front and everything goes through No. 1 (Jennings) on offense,” Bilderback said. “Defensively, their D-line is basically what we’ve seen the last month. It’s a big, tough, physical D-line. That will present a challenge for us.”
Bilderback added that despite all the success the Wildcats have had this season, he believes they have another level to rise to.
“I still think our best ball is riding in front of us. I still think we can play better, and we’re excited about getting this opportunity,” he said.
It will be a welcome addition if junior running back Kentrel Bullock is able to suit up for the Wildcats. Bullock topped the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight year but suffered a knee injury late at West Marion and sat out against Seminary. Bilderback and Bullock have both said the talented back should be good to go.
The home crowd will likely be a raucous one, but Bilderback said he doesn’t think his team will need the crowd to get up for the game.
“I think our kids just enjoy playing football. The crowd is just a reward for them for the hard work, sacrifices and commitment they’ve made to being a great football team,” he said. “I think we are one; I really do believe that. Our support has been great this year, and I hope we can continue with the great support.”
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Pictured Above: Columbia outside linebacker Kevon Cloyd makes a tackle for loss against Seminary Friday night. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
