Chestatee High quarterback Scott Chewning wanted to avoid saying the wrong thing in regards to tonight’s game against White County.

He knows that the wrong words can be used like scraps of meat to wild animals with such an important game that carries playoff implications. And bulletin board material is easy to latch on to with two teams with so much on the line.

Although careful to reflect on his sentiments, the War Eagles quarterback wasn’t bashful to admit that he likes the direction of the team, which is tied for first in the subregion with North Hall (4-2, 2-0 Region 7A-AAA). Chestatee (4-2, 3-0) gets its shot at the Trojans on Oct. 23.

“This year, our team has a real sense of urgency,” Chewning said. “We know that we haven’t secured anything yet.
“We just have to take one game at a time.”

That tone of cautiousness is apparent with the War Eagles, who are looking to finish out the final four games of the regular season strong.

They’d hate for a slip of the tongue to take a promising season sideways. But at the same time, they realize there are six subregion teams in contention for two playoff spots.

Right now, North Hall, Chestatee, White County, Gilmer, Lumpkin County and Creekview all still have a chance to make the playoffs.

“That just shows how tough our subregion is,” War Eagles linebacker Robby Poole said. “You can’t afford to go to sleep for a game.

“It’s all going to come down to who works hardest.”

Chewning and Poole both have a frame of reference as to how one game can profoundly change the course of the season. Last year at this time, the War Eagles — 3-0 at that time in the subregion as well — lost to White County (3-3, 0-2), which set into motion a four-game losing streak to round out the regular season.

The poor finish to the regular season in 2008 kept Chestatee from making the playoffs.

“People remember what happened last year,” Chestatee coach Stan Luttrell said. “But our team isn’t going to get stuck on what happened last year.

“What we have to remember is that White County is always a big game for us, and they are another good team here in Region 7-AAA.”

And as much as Chestatee wants a win to stay right in the thick of the playoff hunt, White County has to have a win.

After losing the first two subregion games against North Hall and Creekview (5-1, 1-1), it’s imperative for the Warriors to win this game for any playoff hopes to stay in tact.

White County coach Gregg Segraves said that for his team to control its playoff destiny, they had to win last week against Creekview.

After losing to the Grizzlies, the Warriors have to win tonight just to have any glimmer of hope at qualifying for the playoffs.

“A win keeps us alive,” Segraves said. “But we don’t have any control over whether we get into the playoffs.

“There’s only one guarantee,” he added. “If we lose we have no more chance of getting in the playoffs.”

White County will be playing without senior quarterback Tyler Dotson, who was ejected from last week’s game for a personal foul and per GHSA rules, he is forced to sit out of tonight’s game at Chestatee. Freshman Cole Segraves will start tonight at quarterback for the Warriors.

“This game is just as important for both teams,” White County’s coach said. “With seven teams in the subregion and only two playoff spots, they’re all huge.”

White County will still have junior running back Ashely Lowery (349 yards, four TDs) and leading receiver Cam Segraves (18 catches, 237 yards) in action.

Chestatee is led by senior running back Ben Souther (821 yards, 7.6 yards per carry) and Poole on defense (74 tackles, four for a loss).