Published: November 05, 2009 09:47 am      

Pugs end season at home

For the Paoli Pugs this is their state championship game as they face Alex in their final game of the season. They were knocked out of the playoff picture a week or so ago and are playing for pride as their season comes to a close.

“The playoffs are out of sight for us,” Pug head coach Justin Hannah said. “With this being our last game, we still have things to play for.

“It’s a home game and it is senior night. We want to send our seniors out with a win and finish off their careers with a win.”

Alex is a win away from playing at home in the first round of the playoffs, but a loss away from finishing fourth.

“Alex is a good team that’s not going to come in here thinking there isn’t anything on the line,” Hannah said. “Their playoff situation depends on Friday night. A win and they can host a playoff game as they finish second. A loss and they can finish third or fourth depending on points.

“I think they would much rather play at home than have to go to Garber or Canton in the first round of the playoffs.”

Alex is solid on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they like to run the ball behind Randy Alexander.

“Alexander leads the squad with over 1,000 yards,” Hannah said. “We know that he’s going to carry the load.”

Wayne Heffington guides the team from under center. He has a good arm and some good receivers to throw the ball to including Coach Savage’s son, Dakota Savage.

“They like to run the ball but will drop back and throw deep several times a game,” Hannah said. “They can hurt you in more ways then one on offense.”

Defensively, Alex will show a similar look to many of the teams in the district, a 4-2 look as they look to stop the run game of the Pugs.

Paoli has a tough task ahead of them Friday night, against a team that is one of the top 15 teams in Class B. All the pressure is on Alex to win and earn that home playoff spot – a situation that’s looking for an upset.

Senior night begins at 7 p.m. in Paoli with kick off slated for 7:30 p.m.