REFORM, Ala. — If defense wins championships the Pickens County High School football team has a great shot at capturing the Alabama High School Activities Association Class 1A state championship this season.
Regardless of how the Tornadoes’ season plays out, it is a safe bet outside linebacker Raheem Curry will be in the middle of the action.
Curry, a 6-foot-1, 168-pound junior, had 14 tackles and three sacks Friday night to help Pickens County earn a 14-12 road win victory against Brantley in a second-round playoff match. For his efforts, Curry is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“For our defense, it is all about going hard on every play,” Curry said. “The linemen have to play hard on every snap. The linebackers have to fill their gaps and execute their assignments. If we stick together as a unit, we have a chance to beat anybody.”
Pickens County (11-1) will play host Class 1A defending state champion Sweet Water (9-3) at 7 p.m. Friday in the third round of the playoffs.
“We have been working hard all summer,” Curry said. “Every day we lifted weights and trained for this game. I feel like we are ready to play. It is either go hard or go home now. We think this is a great challenge, but we are looking forward to the game.”
For most of the season, Pickens County has grabbed headlines with its high-octane offense, while the defense has improved throughout the year. Curry has been a big part of that improvement.
“He is one of those players who has improved each week the whole season,” Pickens County coach Patrick Plott said. “Late in the year, he has really emerged as a leader on that side of the ball. He plays physical and plays assignment football. Against Brantley, he was all over the place.”
Plott is in his first season of a second stint as coach of the Tornadoes. Curry credits the return of Plott for restoring discipline to the program. He feels Plott and new defensive coordinator (Nick Roberson) have helped mold the Tornadoes into a state championship contender.
“We have some great players and some really great coaches,” Curry said. “We really are crazy. Everybody tries their best on every play. Team work has been the key to our season. We have always believed we could be successful. Each week, we come out and work hard and try to do better than the week before.”
While Sweet Water will present a challenge, Curry will be happy to have a raucous crowd at Spruill Stadium supporting his efforts.
“The community has been great,” Curry said. “There is nothing like a game night here. Everybody supports us. Everybody wanted us here. Now, we are here. Now, it is time to take care of business and win a state championship.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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