Arnold must play best game to beat Godby

PANAMA CITY BEACH - When Arnold played Tallahassee Godby in last year's regional semifinal, Marlins Coach James Hale gave a warning to his team.

He said if Arnold didn't play its best game it would be in trouble. Well, Arnold didn't. And Godby rolled to a 41-0 victory.

The rematch takes place Friday night, as the ninth-ranked Marlins (11-0) travel to Tallahassee again to face the 10th-ranked Cougars in the Region 1-3A semifinal. The game will be played at Tallahassee Chiles High School due to Lincoln using Gene Cox Stadium for its playoff game.

The situation is identical this season, even with 2,000-yard rusher Jeremy Hester in tow.

"There's no doubt, they can see the film and see how good they (the Cougars) are," Hale said. "They all know what it was like last year and what happens when you don't prepare well."

Hale was concerned about this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Bay County schools were in session on Monday and Tuesday, with a half day on Wednesday. Practice on Thanksgiving is an inevitability with an important game, but even then the focus can be skewed.

Hale said early practices this week were sharp. He's confident his team is mature enough to look past any distractions and gear toward beating the Cougars.

Godby is without the departed British Footman, who ran all over most defenses, including Arnold's last season.

The Cougars do still have quarterback A.J. Graham, a dual threat to run and throw. They also have Florida State commitment Willie Downs, who has 775 yards receiving and a team-high 11 touchdowns.

Hale said Godby is more of a passing team this season. Graham has proved his point with 2,907 yards and 31 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. Eight wide receivers have scored touchdowns, including Kessey Graham, who leads the Cougars with 856 yards to go with eight scores.

"Offensively they are more explosive than last year," Hale said. "They give you every formation known to mankind."

Hale said the best defense is Arnold's offense. The goal remains the same from a year ago. Arnold must move the ball with its powerful running game and chew up the clock.
The fewer possessions Godby has the better. The plan worked in last year's upset win over Wakulla and Hale believes it could work again here.

But the Marlins must have more than the handful of first downs they gained in last year's blowout loss.

Hale said the 2008 Arnold offense is better-equipped to handle the pressure. The entire offensive line returned, as well as quarterback Johnny Gray, running back Chris Jackson and Hester. Hale believes there likely won't be an element of nervous tension in this game, something that may have plagued the then-fresh Marlins making their deepest playoff run in school history in 2007.

"We're going to go over there and give them the best shot we got," Hale said. "If we do our best in all three phases, the best we've played all year, then maybe we can get to that 13th game (regional final) and that would be big."

Coming Friday: Port St. Joe prepares for a rematch of its own against West Gadsden in the Region 1-1A championship game.

Region 1-3A semifinal

• What: No. 9 Arnold (11-0) at No. 10 Tallahassee Godby (9-2), 6:30 p.m. CST Friday at Tallahassee Chiles High School.
  Radio: Beach 95.1 FM.
  Up next: The winner advances to the regional final next week. It would be Arnold's first trip that deep in its history.