CALEDONIA — Andy Crotwell isn’t satisfied.
A second playoff appearance in three seasons is a significant accomplishment for a Caledonia High School football program that two years ago returned to the postseason for the first time since 2005.
But the program’s lack of playoff experience doesn’t mean this year’s seniors are satisfied with getting back to the postseason. That’s why Crotwell is excited about an opportunity to play Greenwood at 7 p.m. Friday in the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A playoffs.
Caledonia (5-5) secured a date against Region 3 champion Greenwood (7-3) thanks to a 49-35 victory against Leake Central last week in Carthage.
“I don’t get the sense they are satisfied at all,” Crotwell said. “We have a group that wants to play as long as they can. They understand the stakes are very high.”
Quarterback Spencer Unruh and wide receiver Jamel Thomas connected on six touchdown passes against Leake Central. The victory helped the Confederates earn the No. 4 seed in Region 4.
Crotwell said Thomas, who also plays cornerback, started to play on offense in the middle of the 2015 season. He said the chemistry between Unruh (2,103 yards, 29 touchdowns, 60.3-percent completion percentage) and Thomas (57 catches, 1,0007 yards, 17 touchdowns) has improved to help balance an offense that also features senior running back Zion Ford (878 yards rushing, 47 catches).
“Jamel is an outstanding football player,” Crotwell said. “If you put it in the air, there is a good chance he is going to come down with it.”
Crotwell said the Confederates’ success through the air has changed the thinking of its opponents. He feels other teams might see Caledonia more of a passing team that is adept at running the ball. He would like to see the Confederates be a balanced team that can rely on each part of the offense to carry its load.
Caledonia will have to run and throw the ball effectively to stay with Greenwood, which rebounded from losses to Grenada, Clarksdale, and Greenville early in the season.
“They run the ball well and have a big offensive line,” Crotwell said. “They run a lot of inside zone, and they run it very well. They have a very talented running back (senior Rico Owen, 1,421 yards, 14 touchdowns) that runs angry and has some speed. Defensively, they are big and fast and have some physical kids. They’re a good football team that is going to present some challenges that, hopefully, we can meet.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsports editor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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