The Portal Panthers sit at 7-2 on the season and, throughout the great run, the common thread has been the veteran leadership and even keel of the team's seniors.
That group still plans to do plenty more work this fall and will play its final regular season game Friday as the Panthers host McIntosh County Academy at 7:30 p.m. at the Portal Athletic Complex.
"It gets a little tougher each year," Portal head coach Jason McEachin said of his departing class. "You have seniors every year, but now I've been here for a while. Not only are there guys who I've seen through high school, but now there are players our staff has known since sixth grade.
"This group has seen success and has buildt this program for even more success in the future. This is a special group, and we want to make sure this won't be their last home game."
To ensure more time in Portal, the Panthers likely need to close out with a win over the Buccaneers (5-4). In the end, state playoff seeding will be left up to computers and the final rankings, but McEachin knows a win on Friday likely means one — and possibly two — more games in front of the home crowd.
But the next game and win is what's most important. Especially as the Panthers are coming off a loss to ECI last week which was their first setback since the season opener back in August.
"We came up short on a few opportunities last week and ECI didn't. I think you saw two very good teams playing a very competitive game and we got a taste of the level we need to play up to if we want to keep winning."
Portal has lived life on the edge, coming from behind and winning plenty of close games this season. The Panthers stayed on ECI's heels in their rivalry game, but couldn't quite close the gap as the Bulldogs laid claim to the Region 3-A championship.
Now comes an MCA team that can be just as dangerous.
"They have figured out a few different ways to move the ball and put up points this season," McEachin said. "Right now, we're preparing for a single-wing look they've been showing. They have a handful of guys they get the ball to who can all do some damage, so we know our defense will have another touch test and our offense will have to put up some points on their end.
In previous seasons, the final week might find players looking at different region standings and potential playoff matchups. With much of that out of the Panthers' hands, all that's left to do on Friday is take care of business and lett the playoff seedings fall where they may.
"We keep things pretty honest and simple with our guys," McEachin said. "We go over where we stand and what could be ahead of us. We trust our guys to take that knowledge and put in the work to get the wins we're looking for each week.
"And in the playoffs, it's real simple. Home teams win a lot more than those on the road. So that's our goal."
