With three games remaining in the regular season, Alcovy can solidify its playoff chances with a win over Jones County tonight. But it won’t come easy. At 3-0 in Region 3A-AAAA, the Greyhounds are tied with the Tigers for the top spot. Whoever wins tonight may wind up with the automatic state playoff berth.

Both teams are playing well coming into the game. The Tigers went 4-0 on their homestand last month and essentially turned their season around by virtue of posting three straight subregion wins. A team that was once considered a pretender is now a legitimate contender. The same can be said for Jones County. After dropping their first three games, the

Greyhounds have reeled off three straight wins — all in the subregion. Both teams are two games clear of three teams with one subregion win and each own tie-breakers with at least two of them. Needless to say, there’s a lot on the line tonight.

Alcovy’s resurgence can be attributed to its resilience and newfound offensive punch — namingly the three-headed rushing attack of Cornell White, Devon Edwards and Tre Sorrells. White and Edwards shouldered the load for Alcovy’s first three weeks while Sorrells sat with a bum ankle. But Alcovy’s all-time rushing leader came back last week against Ola and provided some much-needed power running inside. Sorrells should be even more prepared tonight and Alcovy’s offense will benefit with the extra week of practice with its three stars working together.

Alcovy’s defense has also evolved into a solid, if not spectacular, unit. Curtiss Benton has emerged as a presence in the pass rush and Alcoy’s young group of lineman and linebackers are starting to gel as a unit.

On paper, Alcovy and Jones County mirror each other when you look at points scored and points scored against. The Tigers score 22 points per game while the Greyhounds score 23. Those numbers are flip flopped 23, 22 for points given up per game respectively.

The real test will be how well Alcovy can play on the road after such a long duration playing at Sharp Stadium. The Tigers haven’t been away from Covington in a month and Jones County is a fairly long trip. The last time they traveled that far was week two at Harris County. Alcovy lost that game on a pair of late turnovers.

Speaking of turnovers, that’s been another reason for Alcovy’s turn around. Much like the 2009 team that did so well in the turnover margin, the Tigers are making fewer mistakes and that has translated into wins. What’s more, this year’s team is finding ways to win. Even when the Tigers haven’t played their best, they’ve won the close games. That could again prove to be the difference tonight in who emerges 4-0 and in control of the top seed.