By Will Heath, for the Tribune
Jerry Hood said officials from Leeds High conferred with those from Center Point about their Week 10 matchup and decided by “literal mutual agreement” not to play.
“It didn’t matter to anyone as far as standings go in our playoff situations,” Hood said. “So we just said, to heck with it.”
That almost definitely will not happen this week. Instead, the Green Wave now begins playing games where everything is at stake. The second-ranked Green Wave (9-0) will host the first round of the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs against Fairfield this Friday.
“If you don’t take care of business this week you won’t be playing the next week,” Hood said.
Leeds’ offense enters the playoffs with an attack that features a variety of options on every side of the ball. Sophomore Conner Nelson has been a revelation for the Green Wave this fall, as both a rusher and a receiver. Nelson took over the quarterback role in the first month of the season after an injury to senior Jarod Latta; now that Latta has returned, the Green Wave utilizes Nelson in a variety of spots on offense.
He is hardly the only weapon in a powerful run game, however. Jeremiah Hunter averaged over 100 yards per game during the regular season and did so battling through an ankle injury. Leeds’ other tailback, Miles Jones, has been nearly as good when he gets the ball. Jones’ catch-and-run against Moody set up what wound up the game’s decisive touchdown, before halftime.
All of this serves to supplement a Leeds defense that has been nigh impregnable through 10 games.
On three separate occasions, Leeds opponents have scored 13 points. None of them scored more than that during the regular season. It was particularly notable in games against Southside (36 points per game in its other eight weeks) and Moody (47 points per game in the other eight).
The front four receives most of the attention for the Green Wave, most notably junior end Kavion Henderson. His pass-rushing mate, Chris Burge, has nearly been his equal.
Behind them, CJ Douglas has existed in a do-everything role, as both a tackler and in coverage.
And yet, everyone in the Green Wave locker room admits that nothing matters now that the regular season is over.
“Our guys, I think, are focused,” Hood said. “Our seniors have done a good job of leading us on that, to the expectation we have each and every day.”
Hood noted that the current Leeds seniors have been with the program since he took over in 2019.
“They have been part of the turnaround, getting Leeds back on track,” he said. “They have set the standard for all the guys coming behind them. They have led this particular team with great chemistry. I’m proud as heck of them.”
The Green Wave opens its playoff run against a Fairfield team riding a wave of momentum that comes with winning 3 of its final 4 games. The Tigers (3-7) opened the season winless, before picking off Carver, Wenonah, and Hayden to grab the 4th playoff spot in 5A Region 5.
“They have athletes everywhere, across the field,” Hood said. “A lot of speed and big kids. They look a lot like us defensively. It’s going to be a bigger challenge than the average person would look at. They’re a good football team and have gotten better throughout the year.”
The winner of the game will face the winner of Scottsboro and Brewer next week. According to Hood, Scottsboro would travel to Leeds, while Brewer would host.