With their postseason hopes dashed, Smackover heads into the final game of the season hoping to end the year on a high note.
The Bucks (4-5, 2-4) will wrap up the 2021 season against 6-3A champion McGehee (9-0, 6-0) tonight.
Game time is set for 7 p.m.
The Owls have run roughshod over the 6-3A, outscoring opponents 275-59 en route to claiming the conference’s No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
“McGehee is very good at all aspects of the game,” Smackover coach David Osborn said. “They do a good job on both sides of the ball. They are very aggressive and fast all over the field. We feel like they are the most complete team we have seen this season.”
The Bucks will be going up against one of the most explosive offenses in the 3A ranks.
“They run multiple looks out of a Wing-T base,” Osborn said. “They do a good job of getting their playmakers in space. They have multiple players who can hurt you anytime they touch the ball. On the offensive line, they are very strong and fundamentally sound. They are overall the best offense we have seen this year.”
The Owls have also been very stingy on defense, allowing just one opponent to score more than 20 points in a game this season.
“On defense, they are a 5-2 base,” Osborn said. “They are going to come after you and try to get to you before you can get the ball off. They will load the box and try to outnumber you. They are very physical and fly to the ball.”
The Bucks enter off of a 20-12 win at Drew Central.
Jarius Burgie had touchdown runs of 9 and 56 yards, and Brandon Lockhart connected with Wyatt Parker on a 41-yard strike. The Bucks’ defense also registered a safety in the win.
“It was a big win,” Osborn said. “We came out and moved the ball well in the first half and played aggressively on defense. It was probably our best first half of the year. Then we hit a lull in the second half and had to hold on. Coach (David) Preston did a good job with our defensive game plan.
“There were some huge plays that happened in the last two minutes, and it was good to see our team respond to some adversity.”
The Bucks will also honor their seniors who will be playing the final game of their careers.
“Senior night is always a bittersweet night,” Osborn said. “You are always proud of the seniors and their accomplishments, but at the same time, you hate to see them leave. This group has been important in our rebuild.
“In junior high, they won two each year and in their sophomore and junior years won a total of five combined games. So for them to come out in their senior year and win four to this point has been a good step in the right direction.”
For the Bucks to have success, Osborn said his team must take advantage of any mistakes the Owls make.
“We have to take advantage of any mistakes that McGehee gives us or our defense can create,” Osborn said. “Against a team at this level, you can’t afford to have any mistakes.”