When the Hendersonville Bearcats travel to Columbus Friday night, the Polk County will try to close its football season with an eight-game win streak, and finish undefeated in conference play.
The Wolverines clinched the Western Highlands Conference title with a solid win at Owen last week. Polk is 7-3 overall, and 5-0 in the conference. While Hendersonville is 5-5 and 3-2, respectively, the Bearcats have an explosive offense that will test the Wolverines’ mobile defense.
“We don’t take anybody lightly,” assured PCHS head coach Bruce Ollis. “They (the Bearcats) are our biggest conference rival.”
In recent years, the two teams have played about .500 against each other.
“They probably match up better with us than Owen,” added Ollis.
The Bearcats use a spread offense, with two quarterbacks, No. 9, Cole Cleary, and No. 18, Michael Schmidt. Both throw the ball well, but Cleary is also the Bearcats’ top rusher this season. Schmidt probably has the better arm of the two.
When one is quarterbacking, the other is a running back. In addition, Hendersonville will turn loose 5’10”, 225-pound tailback Keisler Steele (No. 4). Sophomore Terrold Gary (No. 20) is another possible ball carrier.
“They (Hendersonville) make you play the entire field,” noted Ollis. “They can be very explosive offensively.” Ollis said “You can stop them, stop them,” and still, Hendersonville can make a big play.
On the Polk side, “We’re playing as well defensively as we have all year,” Ollis said. That fact was proven last week when the Wolverines held Owen’s vaunted Jager Gardner to a mere 16 yards in the second half.
“We’ll have to play as well Friday night,” Ollis added. “We play team defense. We swarm the football… This gives us a chance to be undefeated in the conference.”
Ollis also realizes the magnitude of Friday’s contest, as it’s the last regular season game, and Senior Night.
Always no-nonsense, he tells his players, “‘Do your job, and we’re going to win.’”