LAURINBURG — Syheam McQueen is still feeling the hits he took during a 41-carry outing against Cardinal Gibbons last week, but he’s ready to take some more.
Scotland’s running back will lead his team’s offense again on Friday night as the No. 10 Fighting Scots travel to Fayetteville to take on No. 3 Pine Forest in the third round of the state’s 4A playoffs.
“I always feel ready to go,” McQueen said.
McQueen, a senior who has the attention of several major Div. I programs, rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown in a 7-6 win over Cardinal Gibbons.
Senior Joseph McKoy, who filled in for McQueen when he was injured earlier in the season, has mostly been playing defense throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs. McKoy, along with backup running back Darrius Dockery, could take some carries in order to lighten McQueen’s workload this week.
But with a maximum of three games left in the postseason, the Scots plan on having McQueen grind out as much yardage as possible.
“At this time of the year, it’s never a bad idea to give the ball to your best player,” Scotland head coach Richard Bailey said.
The winner of Scotland’s game against Pine Forest will advance to the 4A East semifinals and take on the winner between No. 8 South View and No. 5 Seventy-First.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Pine Forest. The Scots want to see plenty of blue in the stands when they take the field.
“It’ll be good for the community to come support us,” McQueen said.
THINGS TO WATCH
Scotland — Unforced errors
Scotland has displayed many of the characteristics that would be expected of a young team — and that hasn’t always been a good thing. Penalties, fumbled snaps, botched assignments and other mistakes have been costly for the Scots this season.
“We have to avoid self-inflicted wounds,” Bailey said. “If we’ll just not turn the ball over, not have untimely penalties, not make mistakes.”
Bailey said the Scots will also need to focus on preventing big plays on defense.
“We can’t give up the big run with them,” Bailey said. “You worry, with some people, about giving up the big pass play. With them, we can’t let them crease us in a big run.”
Pine Forest running back D.J. Jones averages 90 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Richard McEachern Jr. has rushed for just under 50 yards per game.
Pine Forest — Defense
The Trojans’ defense is a big part of why Pine Forest is 10-2 this season. The defensive unit has logged a total of 24 sacks and nine interceptions.
Sophomore Isaiah Potts leads the Trojans with six sacks this season, but he won’t have many chances to build on that number against Scotland’s run-first offense.
Pine Forest Senior Jordan Gladney has five interceptions and two forced fumbles this year.
In a 27-7 win over No. 6 Midde Creek last week, Pine Forest held running back Anthony Robinson to nine yards on 11 carries. Robinson averaged 62 yards per game this season.
