Competing in the same conference for more than 30 years, Pillow Academy and Washington School have had some classic gridiron clashes with great importance, but none more bigger than this one.
The longtime archrivals will square off in the State AAA Division II championship game at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mississippi College in Clinton. It's a rematch of a Sept. 4 North AAA showdown - won 24-17 in double overtime by Washington.
Just moments after the heartbreaking loss, PA coach Michael Fair told his guys they would get another shot at the Generals. And here they are - shooting for the Mustangs' first state title since 1999.
"This is the second shot at Washington that he had hoped for, and it couldn't have come in a better situation," Pillow quarterback Will Andrews said. "My senior class has never beaten Washington so that adds a little something extra to it also."
Washington, the defending State AAA Division II champion, has won three straight games against Pillow, the last two by a touchdown each time, and leads the overall series 25-13.
Fair, in his second season at Pillow, says the Mustangs relish the opportunity to end the Generals' winning ways against them on such a big stage.
"If you had to write the perfect script, you would do it with no losses, but the way this season has unfolded makes for a very dramatic finish to a great season for both schools. You've got two Delta schools, big-time rivals, playing for it all after a close regular-season matchup," Fair said.
Both teams come in at 9-2 after first-round playoff wins last week. The Generals defeated Copiah 21-6 to advance to their third straight AAA Division II title game, while the Mustangs overcame four fumbles and nearly 100 penalty yards to beat East Rankin 27-14.
"Ball security will be huge after turning it over four times last week. At this point in the season, turnovers will get you beat every time," Fair said.
Both teams are led by dominating defenses. Washington is allowing just 11 points a game and Pillow a meager 12.8.
The first matchup ended in a 14-14 tie at the end of regulation. Both teams kicked field goals in the first overtime. Then Washington got the ball first in the second extra period and scored a touchdown. The game ended when Andrews' fourth-and-5 pass fell incomplete in the end zone.
"I would suspect another similar kind of low-scoring game," Fair said. "Both teams play solid defense, and defense wins championships."
The Mustangs' 4-3 defense is led by junior middle linebacker Luke Kimmel, who ranks first in tackles with 126, including 96 solo stops. Senior outside linebacker Tyler Fondren is next with 89, followed by sophomore outside linebacker Myers Falls and senior strong safety Bo Farmer with 60 each. Sophomore defensive end Andersen Lucic is fifth with 55 tackles.
That unit will face a balanced General offensive attack, led by junior quarterback Eric Brozovich and senior tailback Michael Griffin. Brozovich, who missed the first meeting with Pillow due to a head injury, has completed 85-of-153 passes for 1,119 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Brozovich's two favorite targets are senior wide receivers Matt Mosow (27 catches, 443 yards) and Robert Burle (31 catches, 322 yards). Griffin, who rushed for 179 yards and two TDs on 35 carries against PA back in September, has gained more than 900 yards this season.
Offensively, Pillows' run-oriented attack is led by Fondren, a senior tailback, who has 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns on 194 carries. Andrews is next with 550 yards and 12 TDs on 114 attempts.
Andrews has completed 54-of-97 passes for 900 yards, 11 TDs and three interceptions. Senior wide receiver Hunter McNeer leads the way in receiving with 26 grabs for 425 yards and four TDs.
Pillow's size up front will be challenged by the quick defensive front of the Generals' 5-3 scheme - led by nose guard Matt Summers and middle linebacker Hill Ray.
"Washington has the quickest defense we've seen this year, and that can cause problems," Fair said. "We need to make the right calls, so we can use our size advantage."
