"Three down. Two to go."
That's what West Marion head coach Brad Duncan told his team following last week's 18-16 win over Philadelphia in Foxworth.
More accurately, it's 13 down with two games left if the Trojans want to hoist the golden football in Jackson after the Class 3A State Championship.
But they must first get past Hazlehurst, which will host the Trojans at 7 p.m. Friday in the 3A South State title game.
West Marion has bowled over each team on its schedule this season, averaging 41.6 points per game on offense, while the defense is giving up an average of 11.7 points a contest.
But Duncan and his Trojans aren't wasting time looking back at what it has accomplished to this point. The focus is now on defending 3A South State champs Hazlehurst (14-0).
"Hazlehurst is really good," Duncan said. "They played for a state title last year, so they're experienced in the playoffs."
But experience is something the Trojans might have the advantage in headed into the matchup with the Indians. Eighteen of West Marion's 22 starters are seniors -- something Duncan is confident will help his team in Friday's game.
"This group never ceases to amaze me," he said. "There's nothing that anybody can do to us offensively or defensively that these guys haven't seen.
"They may beat us, but it won't be because we're intimidated or caught off guard by anything."
And as far as what the Indians will feature, Duncan believes he's got a good feel for what it will be.
"They're physical up front and they've got two running backs (Demetrius Cain and Aaron Larry) that are as good as anybody you'll see," he said. "We've got our work cut out for us, no doubt."
