The Highlanders are rested up and ready to go for Friday’s home playoff game against the Harriman Blue Devils.
Cloudland (4-6) will be coming into this week’s contest following a bye week. However, Highlanders head coach Mike Lunsford said that bye weeks are not among his favorite things.
“I’ll be honest with you, I do not like bye weeks,” Lunsford said. “I would whether stay in routine— practice and play a game. I think that keeps you sharp.
“That concerns me,” Lunsford added about the Highlanders down time. “I am afraid we may not be sharp early. To be honest, playing Knox Catholic is a waste. So the last two weeks have not been good.”
Harriman (7-3) are the fourth seed team coming out of a competitive Region 1-1A conference. And Lunsford is expecting an all around good team out of the Blue Devils.
“The quarterback is good, and they have good receivers and a good tight end.,” Lunsford said. “They have some good players.”
The biggest weapon the Blue Devils bring to the table is senior QB Joe Pace, who had a field day during Harriman’s 62-26 victory over Jellico to close out its regular season.
Pace’s highlights included a 14-yard TD pass, a 65-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and a 48-yard touchdown run. Another key player for the Blue Devils, is 6’1 back Isaiah McClain, who had a touchdown catch and a 50-yard kickoff return for a TD last week.
Offensively, the Highlanders will be looking to senior running back Noah Arnett to push the Cloudland offense. Coming into Friday’s contest, the senior running back is on the verge of 2000 yards rushing on the season.
The Highlanders will also turn to sophomore QB Malachi Benfield, who will be stepping in for his brother Preston Benfield.
“Malachi will do just fine,” Lunsford said. “I have full confidence in Malachi.”
However, for the Highlanders to make it into the second round of the Class 1A playoffs, it will take a whole team effort, said Lunsford.
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Orr Field.