Banks Academy defeated Edgewood Academy 28-20 on Thursday. Despite the loss, the two-win Wildcats are in a position to make the playoffs, as an ever-important showdown with two-win Bessemer Academy is set for next week.
“Thursday night after the game, we thought our playoff chances were done,” Wildcat coach Chad Michael said. “But Valiant Cross upset Bessemer (Friday night), that re-energized us. I texted our kids, ‘Valiant won. We’ve got a shot.’ This week is going to be fun. I know they are going to prepare and play the way high school football should be played.”
The revitalized Wildcats will be taking the field behind the leadership of quarterback Brock Whitt. In the loss to the Jets, Whitt threw for 176 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-31 passing. Hit touchdown tosses were to Avery Haskew (6 catches, 30 yards), Grayson Jones (27-yard scoring catch) and Ethan Evans (2 catches, 27 yards).
“Whitt’s a competitor,” Michael said. “He wants to do everything to a fault. Sometimes he extends a play too long. Last week he did that and made a big play for us that led to us winning the game. He’s going to put his body on the line and do everything he can to win the game.”
Edgewood, which defeated Crenshaw Christian the week prior in overtime, found itself swimming in similar waters Thursday down eight to Banks with 40 seconds left in regulation. Unfortunately, that’s how the game ended.
Parker Shaw ran the ball seven times for 58 yards, then turned around and recorded six tackles on defense. Landon Smith had seven catches for 65 yards. Defensively, Cooper Freeman led the green-and-gold attack with eight tackles and a takeaway. Matthew Bailey also had an interception.
“This is like the new College Football Playoff - you lose a couple of games early and then find out you’ve still got a chance,” Michael said. “We’ve got a heartbeat and a breath, and we are going to go out there and give our all. They are all excited right now and we are finally healthy and playing football like we should. It’s like this team is experiencing a rebirth.”
That rebirth could lead to the postseason, as Edgewood will travel to Bessemer on Friday for a shot at the playoffs.
The Wildcats will end their season against Abbeville Christian and Fort Dale.
