Tiger Cubs ready to face Linton-Stockton again in sectional tourney

As he heard that gruff about Monday's cold and wet weather conditions, Greencastle head football coach David Stephens couldn't help but crack a smile. 

"That's playoff football weather. I love it," Stephens said. 

Indeed it is, as the Tiger Cubs (5-5) find themselves with a date against Linton-Stockton (7-3) Friday night at 7 p.m. at Greencastle. The game is the GIANT fm WREB Game of the Week, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff to follow. 

"It's a blessing anytime you are afforded the opportunity to play football when other football teams have had their season ended," Stephens told The Putnam County Post. 

A season ago, the Miners defeated Greencastle 42-39 in the sectional championship game. This marks the third time in as many seasons the Tiger Cubs and Linton-Stockton are meeting in the postseason, with the Miners holding a 2-0 advantage. 

"I think the big thing for us is to not get hung up on last year's score. We are not avenging anything. This year is a different team and they have an opportunity to write their own history in the playoffs," Stephens said.

With seeing each other so often, Stephens said it has the feel of an NFL divisional game. 

"It is kind of like in the NFL when you see division rivalries and teams that play each other a lot. They know what we are going to do and we know what they are going to do. Both of our teams have a core group of players that we had from last year, so I think a lot of it translates. Of all the things that could be an issue, I don't foresee motivation being an issue at all this week," Stephens said. 

The Miners have won six of their last eight games and enter Friday night averaging 36 points on offense and giving up 22 a game. Greencastle, on the other hand, enters with a 2-2 record during October and the Tiger Cubs average 37 points and surrender an average of 47 points a contest. 

"We are going to have to be able to respond. They are a good team, and they are going to make plays. We are going to have to match the plays that they make. We have done a really good job of taking care of the ball this year. We need to keep taking care of the ball and force a takeaway. Playing at home in front of our fans and in front of this wonderful community means everything. It will be Greencastle versus the world Friday night," Stephens said.