The regular season didn’t go exactly as planned for Purvis. The Tornadoes went 4-6 and barely squeaked into the playoffs.
Three weeks later, though, the Tornadoes are still playing and looking more and more like the team most expected preseason.
All it took was one play and one win to get things rolling when it matters most.
“I think it was the last play of the game at Mendenhall that kind of flipped the switch,” Purvis offensive lineman Matthew Ryals said. “Fourth down to send it into overtime. Season on the line.”
Ryals and the Tornadoes went on to beat Mendenhall, 42-41, in overtime in what was their Class 4A playoff opener. Last week, they hit the road again and beat Florence, 41-21, in advancing to the third round.
The team adopted a one game at a time mindset along the way, and it appears to be working.
“Play to survive. We don’t really dwell on the regular season, because that was just to get us prepared for district,” Purvis wide receiver C.J. Bolar said. “It’s always been tradition for Purvis to come alive in the playoffs. It’s just how we play. Scrappy and always to the finish.”
Now they face a familiar foe in Poplarville, who is 12-0 on the season and averaging about 43 points a game.
“They’ve been on quite a run,” Purvis head coach Perry Wheat said. “It’s going to take our best effort. We know that. Just hope we get the best effort out of every player and give us a chance to win it.”
Plenty should hinge on Purvis’ offense and their ability to hang with Poplarville. On the season as a whole, the Tornadoes are averaging 33 points a game. But in their last six games, they’re averaging 43, just like the Hornets.
“Offense is killing it right now,” Bolar said. “Averaging about 40 points a game. Our line’s killing it, and our backs are doing their job. We’re listening to coach and having fun.”
“They just kept working, and we got a little better,” Wheat added. “We had good leadership, and at some point, we said, ‘Hey, lets go have fun and play’. Just play hard, have fun playing the game and not worry about the other things.”
Wheat’s players acknowledge that not a whole lot of people are giving them a chance against Poplarville, who won the regular season matchup, 69-34. Keeping the rematch close from start to finish is the key for revenge and a trip to south state, says Ryals.
“We got a chance. We just gotta get it to the fourth quarter. I think we’re going to pull it out if we do that.”
