Varnado’s Wildcats are heading to Sicily Island for the opening round of the Class 1A state playoffs on Friday at 7 p.m.
Varnado coach Anthony Hicks said that Sicily Island has a lot of speed and that their quarterback is the primary source of the production.
“He is a dual-threat athlete and makes a lot of plays with his feet,” Hicks said.
“We will definitely have to keep him contained and move the ball between the trenches.”
Hicks said that Sicily Island will also rely on pushing the ball to the perimeter.
“We will have to definitely stop their outside running game to give us a solid chance to come back with a win,” Hicks said.
Varnado is coming off of a 52-26 loss to Mangham. Sicily Island blanked Tensas, 56-0, last week.
Varnado has reached the quarterfinals the last two seasons and has lost to Logansport both years.
No. 18 Varnado went 2-7 in the regular season and had the highest strength of schedule in Class 1A.
Sicily Island, which is the 15th-seed, went 5-4 during the regular season.
The winner will face second-seeded Haynesville (10-0). Haynesville has a bye through the first round of the playoffs.