Harmony Grove (5-4, 2-4) has the opportunity to get into the postseason for a third straight season Thursday on Senior Night. Hosting Horatio (5-4, 2-4) in the regular-season finale, the Cardinals look to snap a three-game skid and continue to make school history.
But the Lions are no pushover, despite the Cardinals winning the only two meetings with the Lions.
“We are going to have to play good,” Head Coach Red Parker said. “They have a good fullback/linebacker (senior Dante Jones) that may be one of the best in this conference. There is probably a half dozen really superior players in this conference.
“This kid is one of them. He is a big ole boy in the 235- to 245-pound range. He is a middle linebacker and he strikes. He killed us last year.”
Jones rushed for more than 200 yards against Harmony Grove in 2013. The Cardinals still came out on top, 36-20. Harmony Grove defeated Horatio a season ago as well, winning 12-7.
Harmony Grove was without all-state rusher Jon Johnson in last year’s contest after the senior tripped on the first play of the game, breaking a rib a puncturing a lung in the process. Johnson also missed the team’s second playoff game in school history. Harmony Grove lost in the first round to Fouke, 26-7.
Johnson moved his 2015 rushing totals to 1,559 yards and 24 touchdowns on 214 carries. The senior tallied 39 carries for 218 yards and two TDs in Friday’s loss.
“We are just hanging on,” Parker said.
Jones rushed for 113 yards on 11 carries last week against Glen Rose. The Lions fell 38-7.
Harmony Grove will for sure be without one starter and could lose more before Thursday’s tilt. Parker said one of his main starters is out due to one-game suspension, but would not identify who it was.
“He is a starter and has played in every quarter of every game,” Parker said. “When we lose somebody it is like losing two starters.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Sykes Stadium in Haskell.