By: Zachary Harmuth
The Brentwood Academy Eagles (2-3, 0-2 in AA D-II), to have any chance at the post-season, need to bounce back and win this week against the non-conference Science Hill Hilltoppers (3-1).
The Hilltoppers, ranked 23rd best in the state, should represent a challenge to BA (ranked 10th), though one more like climbing an actual hill than the Everest or Denali that were the last two weeks against MBA and St. Xavier.
Science Hill does put up a lot of points, averaging 52.4 a game. But they give up a lot, too: opponents average about 30. The Eagles average about 24, and give up only about 18. Of course, the Eagles can score a lot when quarterback Tyler Swafford and wideout C.J. Sanders are let loose. Swafford has 10 touchdown passes and only 3 interceptions on the season, and 981 yards passing (196 per game). Sanders has 18 catches for 320 yards (17.8 yards per catch) and 5 scores.
Thankfully, this is the second-to-last game in a five game road trip for the Eagles. So far they have gone 0-3 on the road, and on this road trip, this season.
The Eagles lost last week to MBA 29-22 in overtime. The loss must have been heartbreaking, considering that the Eagles held the lead in that game for more than 40 out of the 48 minutes of regulation. In fact, they still led by 8 points, 22-14, with less than a minute left. Somehow, though, they lost.
And coach Cody White will have to set his teams sights narrowly on Science Hill this week, a team the Eagles should beat, and not what this game means for the season.
A loss means a four game losing streak, a 2-4 record; it effectively means an end to any chance at the post-season. A win, on the other hand, means the Eagles will be back at .500. It could even be a place to pivot upon and turn things around. A win could be the first game of a winning streak to end the season and make the playoffs with a 7-3 record.
And that is the challenge: narrowing the focus down to just Science Hill, just this week, not last week or the last five weeks; not next week or the next five weeks. To take the pressure off the team of the meaningfulness and interconnectedness of each game, play, score, tackle or run. And to get them to just go out and play football against Science Hill. Science Hill can be the only opponent this week; not Science Hill and What It Means.
Kick off is at 7:30p EST at Science Hill.
