Last week’s results: NSM 24, Gaston 20; Wadley 32, TCC 24
2012 result: Wadley 22, Gaston 6
Series record: Wadley leads 2-1
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
A loss last week didn’t doom the playoff chances of Gaston High. In fact, were the season to end today, the Bulldogs would be in the postseason with a No. 4 seed in Class 2A, Region 7.
The four-point loss also didn’t dampen the spirits of the GHS athletes.
“These kids are ready for good things to happen,” Gaston coach Swane Morris said. “They had a hangover over the weekend but by Monday, they were ready to go. They know the rest of the season is tough, and they want to do good for Gaston School.”
That brings us to the fifth week of the season with a game that doesn’t really matter except in wins and losses, as Wadley is a non-region opponent.
“It’s always good to win those (non-region) games,” Morris said. “At some point in the tiebreaker system, if there are three or more teams tied, wins and losses come into play.”
The easiest way for Gaston to avoid any mixups in the tiebreakers is to win out – or come close.
Of their four region games left – Fyffe, Ider, Westbrook and West End – the Bulldogs must win at least three to be guaranteed a playoff berth.
Last week against NSM, Braxton Collins finished with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Shai Ogles added 78 yards on seven carries, while Jailyn Britton gained 52 yards and a score on 11 carries.