FHS hopes to scratch, claw Kinston Friday

It’s do or die time for Florala as the Wildcats travel a few miles up the road to Kinston in a must-win contest.

Florala (3-3 overall, 1-3 in Class 1A, Region 2) won its first region game last week over the yet-to-win Red Level Tigers. The Wildcats put up 40 points compared to Red Level’s 14 in the victory.

And if the Wildcats win the next three games against Kinston, McKenzie and Georgiana, they will win the fourth seed in the region 2, and will earn the first playoff berth since 2007.

Kinston enters this week’s game 2-4 overall, and 2-2 in Class 1A, Region 2. The Bulldogs beat RLS 46-6 on Sept. 21 and McKenzie 34-21 last week.

KHS is in a similar situation with Florala in that both teams are looking for wins.

When asked what makes the Wildcats different than the Bulldogs, FHS head football coach Justin Jones said that the focus stays on his team.

“We can’t focus on the differences in the two teams, just on us and getting us to play at a really high level,” Jones said.

“Wins come when you do things the right way,” Jones said. “We are figuring that out and if we continue to improve the sky is the limit.”

Jones said the Wildcats are working on “perfection” this week in the lead up to the game.

“We strive every day for perfection, but understand that perfection was only mastered by one (Jesus Christ),” he said, “But on the way to perfection, we can achieve excellence.”

The Wildcats showed that pursuit of excellence last week, especially early in the game against the Tigers.

FHS scored two touchdowns within the first three minutes of the game and went on to take a 34-0 half time lead.

In the win, the Wildcats had good balance on offense with their passing and running games.

Jones said while the coaching staff is proud of the offense’s production this season, they are more impressed with “the way our defense has played the past two weeks.”

“They deserve a well-earned pat on the back,” he said.

Florala has only allowed an average of two touchdowns per game in the last two weeks.

Jones said the players are looking forward to the challenge the Bulldogs will bring this week.

“Kinston is a very gritty team,” he said. “They play hard and are good at what they do. They are a quality opponent.”

Kick off in Kinston is at 7 p.m. on Friday.