Corey Green

This time of year in prep football, it’s win or go home and Whitehaven’s football coach, Rodney Saulsberry, says it should be real easy to focus.

“Every playoff game is a big game,” said Saulsberry, whose Tigers face resurgent Wooddale in a Class 6A showdown on Friday.

At Wooddale, the improbable journey continues after a 0-9 season last year. “We’re grateful and proud of our kids for putting themselves in this situation,” said assistant head coach Lynord Crutchfield. “It’s going to be a thrill to see.”

The Cardinals’ turnaround is tied to the legs of sophomore tailback, Jovon Robinson. The 5’11”, 215-pound sophomore was pivotal in Wooddale’s 19-17 first round win over Millington last week. Robinson produced 137 all-purpose yards and two scores in Wooddale’s first postseason appearance in three years.

Saulsberry has noticed. “Robinson is having a great year,” he said.

Whitehaven (9-2) rode junior running back Tony Jefferson to a 28-7 victory over top-seeded Germantown in the first round. The 6’2”, 185-pound Jefferson carried the ball 24 times for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

“Tony is one of our top players,” said Saulsberry. “Our quarterback Frederick Flenorl is another huge player for us. We lean on both of those guys. We expect them to make big plays for us.”  

Flenorl, who is also the punter, accounted for 23 total touchdowns during the regular season, passing for 726 yards and rushing for 589 on 107 carries. He averaged 36.63 per punt, kicking eight inside the opponents’ 20 yard line.

“It’s great having Fred as a leader,” said Saulsberry. “He puts the team on his back and wills us to win. Our relationship is something like (coach) Urban Meyer and (quarterback) Tim Tebow (of the Florida Gators.)”

Flenorl says Tebow’s style of play inspires him.

“Tebow is my idol,” he said. “I look up to him. Me and coach Saulsberry are real similar to Meyers and Tebow. It’s the same type of feeling and respect for one another. I’ve been though a lot on and off the field, and coach has been there for me. We formed a special bond. I take what he says into consideration, and on game days I lay it all on the line for the team.”

Though the Tigers are clicking, winning seven of their last eight games, Saulsberry knows Wooddale is playing with a new coaching staff and new team spirit.

“Those guys have done a great job over there,” he said. “We must focus on the small things and not make mistakes. We must play sound football. That should lead us to victory.”

Wooddale (9-2) has won three straight games. Crutchfield said the Cardinals have their game plan in place.

“We’re not going to over plan or under plan. The kids are looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

“They have a lot of players being recruited over there at Whitehaven, but if you’re a competitor, you look forward to a game like this.“