New Brockton and Samson prepare to battle over No. 3 seed

The New Brockton Gamecocks (4-5, 3-3) and Samson Tigers (4-5, 3-3) will meet this Friday, Nov. 1, with Class Region 3’s No. 3 seed in the Class 2A State Playoffs on the line.

In a game that originally looked like it would decide who would get the fourth and final spot in the Region 3, will now decide who gets the No. 3 seed after Highland Home – formerly Region 3’s No. 1 seed – was forced to forfeit five region games last week.

Highland Home self-reported a violation of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s “bona fide transfer rule,” which sunk Highland Home down to last place in the region.

That also meant that the Gamecocks and Tigers secured playoff spots with wins last week, and now will face off this week to try and secure a better seed as playoffs begin in a week.

“There is something on the line every week this time of year, so you’re always going to get everyone’s best shot,” New Brockton coach Zack Holmes said. “We had to win last week to get in and now we have to win to get that third seed. We’re playing with that playoff mentality already.”

Holmes said that Samson was very similar in style to the Gamecocks and they boast a dangerous quarterback in explosive passer Haden McCoy.

“They have a quarterback that’s special but they do like to run the ball still,” Holmes said. “He can touch all parts of the field with the ball. He can literally throw it anywhere on the field.

“We’ll have to be sound defensively and make sure we fit the runs and cover the passing game, too. We have to play assignment football and don’t let them fool us with the different looks they’ll give us.”

The Gamecocks have their own explosive quarterback in sophomore Kaden Cupp who has thrown for 1,159 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season. While that number is down from the more than 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns he threw as a freshman, Cupp has also added a new dynamic to his game. Cupp has totaled 510 yards and seven touchdowns rushing after rushing for just 113 yards as a freshman.

“Kaden Cupp is a really special guy,” Holmes emphasized. “He’s a really good player and will be a great player (eventually) because he wants it and he works his tail off.

“He allows us to do some things offensively – with the run/pass option – that really helps us out, and he gets us in the right play.”

Running back Kyan Horne has also been big for the Gamecock offense with 1,135 yard and 11 touchdowns in nine games.

On the defensive side, linemen Josh Cardwell and Brandon McCoy have been terrors for opposing offenses, and will need to find themselves in the Samson backfield regularly to hold down the Tigers explosive offense.

McCoy leads the defense with 49 tackles, 25 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks, while Cardwell has totaled 42 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss and six sacks. Cardwell also forced one fumble.

New Brockton will need all of their playmakers – on both sides of the ball – to step up to earn a higher seed in the playoffs.