Pine’s Raiders head into the Class 2A state playoffs after finishing the regular season with the best record in program history at 7-3.
Two days from now, the Raiders will be at home and facing Independence.
The two teams are familiar with each other, as they play both play in District 9-2A and the coaches — Pine coach Bradley Seal and Independence coach Scott Shaffett — know each other well.
Shaffett coached at Varnado before heading to Independence, and Pine and Varnado played each year.
The teams have been in the same district for the past two seasons and played each other in non-district play the two seasons prior.
Ninth-seeded Pine has won three of those four matchups, including the last three. This year’s game was a 28-24 Pine win.
“It’s got the feel of a district game,” Seal said. “We feel like we know this opponent more than anybody on than anybody on our schedule.”
Friday’s contest will be the Raiders’ fourth playoff game at home and Pine is 3-0 in those contests.
Pine is coming off of a 47-9 victory over Pope John Paul II and capped off its regular season with four straight wins.
Last Friday, Markell Cotton had a big game. He caught four passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he intercepted a pass.
“The last month of the year, he’s really come on,” Seal said. “He’s a good player and he’s always been a good player, but the last month, he’s come on.”
Logan Temples continued his solid season, going 12-for-19 for 287 yards and four touchdowns.
Jordan Anderson posted five receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
Adrianuen Johnson ran seven times for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
Jaheim Williams rushed for 63 yards on 11 carries.
Defensively, Dylan Richie intercepted a pass and Jonkez Dillon recorded a sack.
Independence posted a 3-7 record this season. The 24th-seeded Tigers defeated Springfield, 48-20, last week.
The winner will play either eighth-seeded Vidalia (7-3) or No. 25 Oakdale (3-7).