TWIN CITY — Emanuel County Institute is no stranger to the state playoffs, but the Bulldogs have a chance to make their deepest run since 2008 tonight as they host the Trion Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the Class A Public bracket tonight at 7:30 p.m.
    Once again, ECI has run through the season as one of the most intimidating programs in its classification. After suffering a loss to Class AAA power Washington County in its second game, ECI has rattled off nine consecutive wins, including a 42-16 rout of Gordon Lee in last week’s first round.
    “Everybody is pretty excited,” said ECI coach Chris Kearson. “This program has had some success lately, but this is as far as anybody on this year’s team has been in the playoffs. It’s a big challenge to get this far and I think that our guys are confident that we belong here.”
    If ECI can keep up the breathtaking pace its offense has set this season, the sky will be the limit.
    ECI is averaging 42.7 points per game and has been held under 40 points just twice.
    Keying the explosive attack is senior quarterback Caleb Pressey, who is in his third season as the head signal caller. Pressey has managed games well, passing for 814 yards, running for 213, and handing off to a stable of running backs who have been just as impressive.
    Greg Purcell and James Brown are potent dual threats, racking up over 1,100 and 900 yards, respectively. Purcell has found the end zone 17 times this season and running back Michael Sutton has provided even more power on the ground with 10 rushing touchdowns.
    “This is definitely the most balanced team that we’ve had,” said Kearson. “For the longest time, it was (Washaun and Wezley) Ealey carrying most of the load. Now, we aren’t blessed with guys with 4.4 speed, but we do have a bunch of guys that are good with the ball in their hands and run the offense very well.”
    That offense will get a stout test tonight as it goes up against one of the best defenses in the state.
    Two losses knocked Trion (9-2) to the No. 11 seed — the new Class A brackets seed all teams 1-16 instead of 1-4 by region standings — but a low ranking didn’t stop it from shutting down No. 6 Irwin County in an impressive 34-6 win last week.
    With a defensive line that clocks in at over six feet and 250 across the board, Trion will also be one of the biggest teams that ECI has run up against.
    “I don’t know about Trion’s seed, but I know that they aren’t under our radar,” said Kearson. “Just looking at them, we know that we’re in for a tough game. I think it will come down to their defense against our offense. We’re both similar teams on both sides of the ball, so I don’t think that anything will surprise either of us.”
    The juniors and seniors on ECI’s roster have been here before, suffering a quarterfinal loss in 2010.
    Now they have another chance to claim a spot as one of the final four teams remaining in the playoffs.
    “After a while, you run out of pregame speeches,” said Kearson. “But I don’t know how much we need it. These guys knew the hard work it would take to get here and they put it in every day. I know that they can’t wait to get out there and try to win another one.”

    Mike Anthony may be reached at (912) 489-9404.