LOG MOUNTAIN — There were whispers earlier this football season that an experienced Knox Central Panthers team led by Coach Wayne Mills would be Bell County’s most formidable opponent of the year. Those whispers proved true as the Panthers were the only team to hold the Bobcats under 30 points the entire season. Tonight could prove to be the gem of playoffs thus far as Knox Central comes to Log Mountain for a rematch of local powers.

It’s no secret to Coach Dudley Hilton or Coach Mills what their respective game plans will be. It should be no surprise that both teams will try to control the clock with powerful running games; Bell County’s led by Spencer Greer, and Knox Central’s led by Dexter Carnes. Both running backs have rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season and averaged more than 7 yards per carry.

Should the teams be forced to an air attack, Bell County’s Shawnta Zachery has thrown for 1200 yards with 21 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Knox Central’s Cory Smith has also thrown for 1200 yards, but with only 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

The defenses are eerily similar to each other in the way that they play. Both are very good at playing as one cohesive unit. The philosophy of both coaches for 11 players getting to the ball every down is shown without fail.

What’s the difference in the two teams? Why is Bell County 12-0 on the season and Knox Central 9-3?

The answer is simple, the difference is experience. Coach Hilton has developed a program at Bell County where each and every player expects to win every time they step on the field. Over time, that philosophy has sunk in and become second nature to the players. Coach Wayne Mills, a prot/g/ of Hilton, is developing the same philosophy at Knox Central. Given time, that philosophy will sink in and become second nature to their players as well.

But for now, on this Friday night, with the temperatures dropping into the low 30’s, the steam rising off of the players on the field, the fans screaming at the top of their lungs on both sides, the faith that both coaches have in their players, and the pure desire for the players on both sides to win this game, anything can and will happen.

This is playoff football, mountain style. This is the type of game that every player dreams of playing in. The road to Louisville continues tonight on Log Mountain. Bobcats host the Panthers, and folks, this one has nail-biter written all over it.

Sports correspondent Jamin Leger can be contacted by e-mail at sports@middlesborodailynews,com, or editor@middlesborodailynews.com