The Charleston Tigers return home this Friday for an important conference game against the Lamar Warriors. It will be senior night for Charleston as the Tigers will be playing to wrap up a two seed in the upcoming state playoffs. The Tigers could be a two seed all the way down to a fifth seed depending on the outcome of their game with Lamar. If the Tigers were to lose, the outcomes of the remaining conference games will determine Charleston’s seeding in the state tournament. Worse case scenario, a Tigers loss and other teams winning around the conference, and Charleston would be on the road for its first round playoff game against a number one seeded opponent.
Charleston enters the game 4-2 in conference play, and with a victory would improve to 5-2 and move ahead of Lamar in the standings. Perhaps most importantly, it would give Charleston the two seed in the playoffs and would likely result in a home first round playoff game at Alumni Stadium on November 15.
Lamar enters the game 4-2 in conference after losing last week at Booneville 35-7. Through nine games this season, Lamar averages 320.6 rushing yards per game, and 46.6 pass receiving yards per game. They have scored 44 touchdowns on the year. Defensively, the Warriors average 43.6 tackles per game and have recorded 26 sacks on the year. The defense has produced seven interceptions this season.
Lamar quarterback Jacob Parmenter has attempted 52 passes and has completed 30 for 369 yards. He has passed for an average of 12.3 yards per completion and has a passing completion percentage of 58%. He is their team’s second leading rusher with 514 yards on the year.
The Warriors’ leading rusher is junior running back Brady James. James has rushed for 876 yards on 94 rushes. He averages 9.3 yards per rush and 109.5 yards per game. Coach May commented, “Number 23, and their quarterback, they’re both good. Both are really good. They are similar to Booneville. They pull their guards some. They want to hit you in the mouth (running attack) and that’s kind of like Booneville.”
Defensively, Lamar is led by senior Josh Salinas who has 28 unassisted tackles and 27 assisted. He averages almost 7 tackles per game and 16 have been tackles for lost yardage. Coach May spoke of Salias, “That number 7 is a good linebacker. Against Booneville he made a lot of tackles in the “A” gap (the middle of the line of scrimmage). He got after them real good on defense.”
Charleston coach Ricky May thought the Tigers played well last week at West Fork. “I thought we played well. Offensively, I would like to be able to run the ball a little better than we did. But I think that was the conditions that we had, so, that didn’t help us. Overall, it was what we wanted. We did keep it (offensive game plan) as simple as we could, partly because of the weather.”
Friday night is senior night, and 14 senior football players along with senior managers and student trainers will be honored. The ceremony should begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. Tiger fans who want to see the seniors honored need to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m.
I hope there will be a big crowd Friday night to honor the Charleston seniors and to watch them play for a two seed against Lamar. This has been a special group of seniors, and what better way to send them off than with a great ceremony and a victory over Lamar.
See you Friday night!
