SMN

Time to make a statement?
Undefeated Cadets host region favorite McIntosh

By Rich McGowan
Since joining Region 2-AA, the Benedictine football team has felt as though it hasn't gotten the respect it has deserved.

If getting out to the school's best start since 1997 hasn't changed others' perceptions of the Cadets, a win tonight could. BC hosts McIntosh County Academy at Memorial Stadium at 7:30. The Buccaneers have made the postseason five consecutive seasons and are a perennial favorite in one of Class AA's toughest regions.

"If we can show everyone we can beat McIntosh, we'll have a great chance of making the playoffs," said sophomore running back Michael Summers. "It'll open up some eyes in the region and everyone will have more confidence in us."

Benedictine, with a 5-0 overall record (3-0 in region play), is off to its best start in 12 seasons, while McIntosh (3-1, 2-0) has won three in a row since dropping its season opener against Liberty County.

For BC coach Mark Stroud, the Cadets' showdown against McIntosh isn't so much about changing how people see his team, it's simply about staying in the chase for a region championship. "If you win the first game you're tied for first place. If you win the second one, you're tied for first place. You win the third one, you're tied for first place, you're just not tied with as many teams," Stroud said. "It's controlling your destiny each week."

One person who doesn't have to be convinced of BC's place among the region's top teams is McIntosh coach Robby Robinson. "We're playing an undefeated team and we're playing an undefeated team that's very good," Robinson said. "They're very fundamentally sound. They've got some explosive and skilled players on offense and they're very well-coached."

A year ago, the Cadets jumped out to a 21-7 lead, but just before halftime a blocked punt led to the Buccaneers trimming the BC lead to seven heading into intermission. MCA carried the momentum into the second half and went on to a 42-21 victory.

"I think it's about out of our minds," BC linebacker Matthew Shay said. "We're a brand new team now. Last year, we started out great and we let it go, it was a heartbreaking loss and a lot of us felt that."

Striving for perfection
Robinson isn't concerned about the Cadets having extra incentive stemming form last season's meeting. "To me, they'll be motivated to stay undefeated and move to 6-0," Robinson said. "That's motivation enough."

Shay, with a team-leading 35 tackles, headlines a defense that has been stellar this season. Through its first five games, the Cadet defense has allowed just 29 points. But to maintain its average of less than six points against per game, BC will have to slow down a Buccaneer rushing attack led by Alvin Jackson.

The junior running back has 662 yards in just four games with eight touchdowns on 105 carries and has helped the Bucs average 310 rushing yards a game. "Alvin is a power-type of guy," Robinson said. "He doesn't have great speed but he likes to run over folks."
Shay said: "They're definitely the first real tough test we've had. They're good, but we're good as well."

Offensively, the Cadets are led by their power rusher, senior John Williams, who enters averaging 96 yards a game and has scored seven touchdowns. Summers is averaging 79 yards a game and leads the team with eight touchdowns.

"They have some great athletes," Summers said. "For us to move the ball on them, we have to execute our blocking and have to just play as a team."

IF YOU GO
Who: McIntosh County Academy (3-1 overall, 2-0 Region 2-AA) at Benedictine (5-0, 3-0).
Where: Memorial Stadium.When: 7:30 tonight
What: A clash of two teams looking to be at the top of the region at season's end. McIntosh is a perennial region favorite while BC is trying to show it belongs among the region's elite.