Maury QB E.J. Gibson vs. Lake Taylor (Photo: Lance Hinton/recruit757)
Playoff position is on the line as Churchland visits Maury
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
It’s all about playoff position.
In the case of tonight’s game between Churchland and Maury, the Truckers are looking to hold onto their #1 seed in Region 4A while the Commodores are looking to simply earn a playoff spot in Region 5A.
In 2019, Maury rolled to a 15-0 record and their first state championship in almost 100 years. This year, in a shortened season, they’ve found themselves on the outside looking in all because of a week two loss to defending Region 4A state champion Lake Taylor.
Both teams were off last week because of canceled games. Churchland missed playing Lake Taylor (4-0) and Maury in a game that would have solidified the winner’s standing at the top of Region 4A. Maury missed a game against Wilson (0-4) that wouldn’t have really helped them much in the power ratings.
Churchland has gotten where they are on the back of their defense. The Truckers have scored only 42 points (14 ppg) while allowing only seven total points and shutting out Norcom and Norview.
Maury, while not as prolific as they were in 2019, they’ve managed to roll up almost 38 points per game. More of their production has come in the ground game this season, with transfer RB Demonte Dunlap leading the attack. Quarterback E.J. Gibson is still at the helm, with Ahmarian Granger playing some quarterback as well as filling the role as one of Gibson’s top options in the passing game.
Churchland has locked in a playoff spot. A win here cements them as the #1 seed.
Maury needs a win here and a Bayside (4-1) loss vs. Tallwood (1-3) on Thursday night in order to move up to the #4 seed in Region 5A.
– Andy Hilton
