They were always close.
Despite starting 1-6, Blue Ridge head coach John Boggs knew his team was more than capable of breaking through.
And when they did? They left no doubt.
The Tigers won their final three region games by a combined score of 112-44 and now find themselves as the No. 6 seed in the Class 3A Upper State Playoffs that begin Friday night at home against Palmetto.
“We saw a lot of progress and growth for our team during that time,” Boggs said about the early-season struggles. “Wade Hampton, we didn’t play our football. Against Pickens we made some improvements. Then against Chesnee we made some improvements. Our kids just kept playing hard and stayed the course.”
The Tigers increased their scouring from 17.6 points per game in their first seven contests to 37.3 PPG in the final three.
“We were moving the right direction in practice and games early but it wasn’t showing up on the scoreboard,” Boggs said. “Our senior and junior leaders stepped up. Nobody gave in to the negativity. Credit all of our kids for having a lot of heart. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. Our kids are proof of that.”
One player who has particularly surged down the stretch is quarterback Holden Powell, who is closing in on 2,000 yards passing and 20 touchdowns for the season. A transfer from Greenville High, Powell got more acclimated to the offensive system as the season progressed, culminating with a four-touchdown performance against Union County in October.
“For him it was just a comfort thing,” Boggs said. “As he’s gotten more comfortable as a quarterback, and I’ve gotten more comfortable as a play caller playing to his strengths, he’s gained so much confidence. He’s getting the ball to our play makers and he’s leading by example every day.”
A pair of big-play targets in Marquiel Troupe (62 catches, 799 yards, seven touchdowns) and Braylon Edwards (44 catches, 650 yards, 11 touchdowns) have kept the Tiger offense humming down the stretch.
Defensively, the combination of Tajah Landrum (87.5 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) and Houston Lancaster (four sacks, 16 hurries) have continued making opposing offenses uncomfortable.
Blue Ridge will look to continue its momentum against a Palmetto team that enters Friday’s game at 3-7 overall, losing all four games in Region 2-3A by a combined 149-61.
However, all five teams in the region made the playoffs, and Boggs knows the Mustangs present a much bigger challenge than their record would suggest.
“They’re two plays away from being 5-5,” Boggs said. “They lost to a really good Pickens team on a last-second field goal, and took Belton-Honea Path into overtime. They certainly could’ve won more games. They’re tough, hard-nosed, and play extremely hard for four quarters, which is a credit to their kids and coaches.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Blue Ridge.
