THU Preview: Shaw going for outright title

Cox plays Shaw in the regular season finale for both teams at 6:30 p.m. in Hoss Memtsas Stadium.

Shaw is looking for its second straight undefeated regular season. It’s also looking to pick up a win for classmate Michael Poussard, a freshman who was diagnosed with cancer a little more than a year ago. The Eagles are dedicating the game to him.

The Cougars, meanwhile, are playing to make sure they retain a home game in the first round of the state playoffs. Unofficial power ratings have them at No. 14. The top 16 teams get a home game. Shaw is rated No. 1.

It would also give Cox momentum at the right time.

“It would be quite a huge accomplishment if we were able to beat Shaw going into the playoffs,” Brooks said. “They’re kind of beat up right now, which is to our advantage.”

While Shaw is 9-0, the Eagles are banged up. The defense has been mix-and-match all season, while sophomore Andrew Starkey will pick up his fourth career start. Ramaad Robinson, who began the season at quarterback, has been out since Oct. 13 with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

In his absence, Shaw head coach Scott Bairnsfather has relied on a strong running attack. The leading rusher in Steffon Gray, a talented senior who is taking advantage of gaping holes his offensive line is providing.

Bairnsfather isn’t surprised.

“I think he’s more surprised than I am,” Bairnsfather said. “I’m not surprised at all. He decided to learn Spanish one day and learned it.”

“Steffon has been doing a great job of running the football, but when you’ve got those big guys in front you, it makes your job a little bit easier,” Brooks said.

Cox’s season turned around in September when Brooks changed quarterbacks. Darius Carey gives his team a multi-threat quarterback most high school teams aren’t adept at defending.

Bairnsfather is wary.

“He’s probably got both deals,” Bairnsfather said. “He runs the ball pretty good, and they have a little option out of their shotgun that he’s been doing well with. He’s completing passes to a great group of receivers. They’ve executed a lot better since he has taken over.”

Indeed, Carey’s options at receiver will put the fear in many defenses. Javon Lawson has 11 touchdown catches this year, and Chris Martin has 10.

“Chris is a big kid size-wise, a Marques Colston-type,” Brooks said. “And Lawson makes some tremendous catches, Lynne Swann-type stuff. I can’t even describe it. Those two guys give us an added dimension in our passing game.”

But still, Cox carries a chip on its shoulder, despite having won three of its past four games. The wins have come by an average of 27 points, and in the past four games, Cox has averaged 38.5 points per game.

“It’s a big opportunity. Right now, we’re the underdogs,” Martin said. “Everybody is saying we don’t have a chance.”

He added, “I already know that if we go out and play our ‘A’ game, we’ll go out and beat Shaw. No doubt in my mind about that.”