By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
While those on the East Brewton side of Murder Creek will be relishing W.S. Neal's 42-35 win over previously undefeated and Class 4A top-ranked T.R. Miller for some time, Blue Eagles coach Blaine Hathcock and his team are trying to put that game behind them in a hurry.
The next order of business for W.S. Neal (7-2 overall and winners of five straight) is Friday's 7 p.m. non-region home date against the Calhoun Tigers in the regular
season finale for both teams. Friday is also Homecoming at W.S. Neal.
The Tigers enter Friday's game at 2-7 overall. Calhoun finished its Class 3A Region 1 slate with a 2-5 record after a 60-20 loss to Sumter County last week.
On one hand, Calhoun's offense does not resemble a typical 2-7 team. The Tigers are averaging a respectable 20.3 points a game, which included 41 in its 41-39 win over Choctaw County two weeks ago and 33 in its 33-28 triumph over Francis Marion back in week four.
Defense has been Calhoun's downfall most of the season. The Tigers are giving up an average of 43.4 points a game and have given up 40 or more points five times this season and 50 or more three times. That looks like a good formula for W.S. Neal, which has scored 40 or more points in each of its five straight wins.
W.S. Neal's win over T.R. Miller combined with Southside-Selma's surprising 12-9 win over Escambia County Friday elevated the Blue Eagles into a third seed out of Class 4A Region 1 and a likely trip to Region 2 runner-up Jemison in next week's playoff opener.