For those planning to attend this evening’s battle royale at Polk County High School, here’s a word of fashion advice. Save the frilly pink frocks and the pastel party dresses for another game, another time. Tonight at the Little Big House, Wolverine Nation is aiming for a total blackout.
Fans are encouraged to attend tonight’s game dressed in black from head to toe, to match the all-black uniforms of the Wolverines, as Polk County hosts rival Hendersonville in the final contest of the regular season. The winner of this evening’s showdown will earn the crown of Western Highlands Conference champion, a title that Polk County has claimed four of the past five seasons.
According to Polk head coach Bruce Ollis, the Bearcats will field a squad that is almost a mirror image of the Wolverines.
“Our teams are very similar – we are both 8-2, we both lost to Mitchell by one point, and both lost a nonconference game to a quality opponent. Each of us has five or six players that go both ways, along with offenses that can hit home runs.”
Hendersonville is primarily an I-formation team that runs the ball twice as often as they throw, with QB Grant Rivers handing off to fullback AJ McMinn and tailback Cam Hill. In passing situations, the Bearcats will line up in the shotgun, with Rivers looking for wideouts Shawn Rogers and DJ Wilson.
Asked what the Wolverines will need to do to hang another championship banner, Ollis was specific in his reply.
“Certainly, we know we must stop their running game in order to put them in a position to do something they don’t want to do on offense,” said Ollis.  “They are very athletic and speedy on defense, so we must maintain our blocks and not get frustrated if they make a big play on defense.  Maintaining our focus and composure will play a big role in our success offensively.”
To be sure, regular season games don’t get much bigger than this. In addition to playing for the conference title in a fierce rivalry, the Wolverines will also honor the seniors playing this evening in their last regular season home game.
The total eclipse begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the darkness of PCHS.