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Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 in Sports

Tiebreaker looming, Hawks need win first

By Chris Goltermann

The Times-Herald

Literally the Hawks need to run before they can fly into the GISA state football playoffs next week.

Preparation began this week for a potential three-way football tiebreaker in GISA Region 4-AA for The Heritage School, which would also include Arlington Christian and Griffin Christian.

None of that matters, though, unless Heritage can come up with a victory this Friday at home against Harvester Christian. Turnovers, primarily, fumbles were as much a problem for the Hawks in a 42-12 loss against unbeaten Flint River.

"Flint River is Flint River, but we got as good a shot at them as we've ever had," said Heritage School coach Larry Harrison. "We just gave it away."

The Hawks ran for 261 yards against the Wildcats last week, driving into Flint River territory on multiple occasions and benefiting from an early turnover, but only had two touchdowns to show for it.

Now at 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the region, Heritage faces a similar scenario as it did last year against Harvester Christian. Last year, the Hawks needed a victory over the Douglasville private school just to get into the state playoffs.

This Friday, a victory is key for Heritage keeping its hopes of a potential second-place finish and a first-round state playoff game at home alive.

It would have to come through a three-way tiebreaker since the Hawks' cannot jump over Arlington Christian. The Eagles, also at 5-4 and 2-2 in the region, beat Heritage and hold a head-to-head advantage heading into Friday's game against winless Colonial Hills.

Meanwhile, Griffin Christian, at 6-3 and 3-1 in 4-AA, will either win the region title with a victory, or fall into either a two or three-way tie for second place depending on how Griffin Christian and Heritage finish on Friday.

Harrison said the region has decided that the three-way tiebreaker would be in the form of three mini-games in overtime style format held on Monday. Each team would have an offensive possession from the 30-yard line. A site has yet to be determined. Should a neutral site be needed, the most likely host would be Flint River.

"We've got to take care of our business before all of that happens anyway," said Harrison, "and it's not going to be easy."

Despite a 2-7 overall record, Harvester Christian has been held under 14 points only once this season in a 14-0 shutout loss to Mt. Vernon Presbyterian on Sept. 11. The Hawks put together 25 points against Griffin Christian followed by 27 against Flint River before losing 35-14 last week to Arlington.

Former standout Daniel Few is gone to graduation, but Harvester has used a trio of tailbacks including All-Region linebacker Marty McClain. Junior quarterback Evan Nilson has equally had success, throwing for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-25 loss to Griffin Christian.

"They throw it about 50-percent of the time and they mix it up real well," said Harrison. "Their guy can throw it a mile and they throw a lot of jump balls. That's what scares me."

Heritage's offense, which rarely if ever turned the ball over during a school-record four-game winning streak earlier this season, will have to regain that momentum despite having success against Flint River.

"That's been the story of our season right there," said Harrison. "When we hang on to the ball, we're tough. When we don't, we're in trouble."

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