Hornets in open week, resting up
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

For the first time since he became a Hornet, Coach Rodney Dowell's football team is one win away from the playoffs.

Friday's victory over Flatonia brings the Hornets the closest they have been in three years to clinching a spot in the post season and it could not have come at a better time.

Louise is in its open week and without a scheduled game Friday, the Hornets have a chance to heal and two weeks to prepare to take on Pettus in the last game of the regular season.

"We're fired up," Dowell said. "It's a great feeling. We're excited for our kids and our community. It's great to beat Flatonia, but at the same time, it will be all for nothing if we don't take care of our business and do what we're supposed to do against Pettus.

"We can't sit around and enjoy it too long. We're going to give them some long over-due rest, because we still have some key people banged up. We can't take off the whole week. We're going to go to work and get better this week."

Dowell said his team is feeling a sense of urgency for a win at Pettus Nov. 9, but with almost two weeks to go, his team will use that desire to work hard to prepare.

An open week can be quite an advantage for a team which is in need of a win, but Dowell knows it can also be a problem.

"Flatonia had two weeks to prepare for us," Dowell said. "Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad and sometimes it can make you too soft. I know we don't have a game on Friday, but we've got to keep the routine somewhat normal and keep in shape and in condition. That's always a challenge, but I think it's going to help us in this situation."

A win Friday will secure a playoff spot while a loss will almost certainly eliminate the Hornets.

There is a scenario where the Hornets can lose and still make the post season, but it involves a little bit of luck.

If Pettus and Shiner both win their last two games of the year, including against the Hornets Nov. 9, that seals first and second place in district. Flatonia plays Pettus Friday and Shiner next week. Two losses would put Flatonia at 3-3 in district play, tied with the Hornets if they lose to Pettus.

The next thing that needs to happen is for Falls City to lose to Shiner this week and then to Charlotte to end the year. That puts Falls City at 2-4.

Louise has the head-to-head tiebreaker over Flatonia and would take the third playoff spot.

Dowell, however, refuses to think about that scenario. For him, it's win or lose and stay home.

"We're second if we win and we're out if we lose," Dowell said. "There's one other scenario, but you're counting on some things. The reality of it is that we've got to win this game. It will be a good game because Pettus is going to be fired up and they're going to be ready to play."

Hornets 25, Flatonia 19

The Hornets came through with a win in their final home game of the year Friday to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Three touchdowns by fullback Kyle Lawson and another score by tailback Antwon Parson boosted Louise to the upset victory. It was the first time Dowell had beaten Flatonia in his 3- year tenure as head coach of the Hornets.

"Flatonia in the last two years is the only team that's scored a lot of points against us and been able to beat us consistently by a large gap," the coach said. "In the last two years, they scored 93 points on us.

"We did a real good job this year of containing a very explosive offensive team. I've got to give a lot of credit to Coach (Mark) Stevens and the defensive staff. Coach (Josh) Curtis and Coach (Josh) Quebe did a good job with the secondary and our secondary played great."

Dowell said he knows his team cannot relax just yet. Even with the Hornets coming closer to the playoffs than they have in the past three years, the push the Hornets make in the next two weeks will define Louise's season.

"I won't accomplish anything here until we go into the playoffs and, in my mind, win playoff games," Dowell said. "That's my goal. I like to win playoff games. I like to be a part of that and see it in kids' eyes. I want to see it in these kids' eyes and these kids have the potential to do it. It will mean something to me and I'll feel accomplished and satisfied somewhat."

31-A Football DISTRICT STANDINGS