Landrum Head Coach Russell Mahaffey hasn’t had to worry too many times this season about how his team would respond after a loss. In fact, until this week, the Cardinals only had to come out after loss just one time.
This week, however, the Cardinals will be opening the first round of the 1A state playoffs at home. The Cardinals will host Calhoun County and they’ll have to have a short memory.
Landrum suffered its worst defeat of the year last week at Christ Church. In that game, however, the Cardinals were plagued by injuries, which threw off their offense entirely.
Starting tailback Cole McDowell was held out of the game with an ankle injury. Starting offensive linemen Austin Howell and Matt Pace were out as well. With those key injuries, the running game sputtered and that affected the passing attack. Quarterback Brandon Cannon had little time to get the ball out of his hands.
Mahaffey hopes to have all three back for tonight’s playoff matchup.
How will his team respond after the tough loss?
“I think our team will come out and play hard,” Mahaffey said.
They’ll have their hands full with a team that generally puts out some good talent. Calhoun County is the alma mater of South Carolina Gamecock wide receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Shamier Jeffrey. This season the team is led by wide receiver Mark Irick. The Saints run a spread offense.
Landrum enters the game 8-2. The Saints are 6-3. Kickoff will be at 7:30. The only passes accepted at the gate at a playoff game will be South Carolina High School League passes. Tickets are $7.