The Blytheville Chickasaws open the 2014 5A state playoffs Friday night on the road against the No. 1 ranked Pulaski Academy Bruins.
Blytheville's season continued after a remarkable 37-26 victory on the road against Forrest City last week. Chickasaw head coach Ben Fisher said one of the keys to last week's win was a strong start.
"We jumped out on them early and I think that just gave our kids confidence," said Fisher.
Getting out to an early lead will be key if the Chickasaws are to pull of an upset of the Bruins. Pulaski Academy is averaging 53 points a game this year and has yielded just over 17. They swept through the 5A-Central winning their seventh league title in eight years. Their only loss was a 48-42 decision on the road at Highland Park, Texas.
The Bruins run multiple sets on offense and can score quickly. The only team to challenge the Pulaski Academy in the 5A-Central, Beebe, trailed Bruins by one touchdown as the fourth quarter started but trailed by 30 when time expired.
"They can put up points on you in the blink of an eye," said Fisher. "They don't punt, they don't onside kick. Ever. We have to be ready all of the time. I saw them complete a fourth and long from close to their own goal line. We have to be ready to stop them on every down."
Leading the Bruins attack is Div. I recruit, Will Hefley. Hefley, who is committed to Tulsa next year, stands in a 6-foot-4 and 203 pounds. He's put up astronomical numbers in his senior year throwing for 3,305 yards, 46 touchdowns to just seven interceptions and has completed 74 percent of his passes (210-283).
Wide receiver Will Hastings has been the recipient of much of Hefley's numbers.
Hastings has caught 17 touchdowns and racked up 1,346 receiving yards.
Running back Tre Bruce has compiled over 1,000 yards running, catching and even throwing in the pass-heavy offense.
"He's quick," said Fisher of Bruce. "But anytime he runs the ball, you have to be ready for him to throw it."
While the offensive stats from their skill positions is impressive, Fisher is just as impressed, if not more on another aspect of the Bruins attack.
"The reason they beat people so badly is that offensive line," said Fisher. "Their line gives them time to get open and do the things they want to do. The quarterback isn't back there running for his life and they just do an outstanding job of pass protection."
Like their offense, the Bruin defensive unit lines up in multiple formations as well.
"It really just depends on the situation," said Fisher. "They have some big kids on both sides of the ball and they can move. They are disciplined, they tackle well and they stick to their assignments. They just don't make a whole lot of mistakes."
As for the Chickasaws, the physical nature of last week's game saw Fisher and the coaching staff expand their rotation. Issac Kelly played a limited role in the second half after a knee injury midway through the first half. Demmeko Clark left the game in the second half as well.
"It was tough but everybody should be ready to go by Friday," said Fisher. "We had so many kids just step up. We had a rotation on the defense of about six guys."
Fisher is pleased at the turnaround of this team. The Chicks have gone from 1-9 last year to currently 6-4.
"We talked about our goals at the beginning of the season," said Fisher. "One was to finish with a winning record and the other was to make the playoffs. We've done both already. Anything else from here on out is icing on the cake."
Friday night's game starts at 7 p.m.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com on Twitter @CN_AaronF