Published: November 03, 2009 09:41 pm      

GC Football Notebook: Faulk expected to play

Senior QB missed Rice game, should play vs. Malakoff

Kerens should have its full arsenal of players Friday in its rivalry game against Malakoff.

That includes quarterback Pat Faulk.

Faulk, who missed last Friday’s game against Rice with an injury, said this weekend that he expects to play in the 71st meeting of the two rival high schools.

“If he’s 100 percent healthy, he’ll be out there,” Bobcats coach Russell Anderson said.

The Bobcats, who have clinched a playoff spot, managed OK without Faulk against Rice, beating the Bulldogs, 46-0. Running back Micheal Jordan had 189 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. Ryan Leerskov filled in for Faulk at quarterback and rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two touchdowns.

“Our other kids stepped up and played well,” Anderson said.

Kerens, which has 17 straight wins over Malakoff, isn’t caught up in spoiling Malakoff’s Cinderella season — the Tigers can make the playoffs with a win.

“It’s more about the rivalry between Kerens and Malakoff,” Anderson said.

Wortham needs win and help: Wortham (5-4, 3-2) needs to win Friday at Hubbard to get to the doorstep of the playoffs for the first time since 2004. And the Bulldogs need Italy to play well against Itasca.

Itasca (7-2, 3-2) has to beat Italy by seven points or more to win the tiebreaker over Wortham should both teams win Friday night and finish 4-2. Italy, which also would be 4-2 with a loss, would get in because of its 37-12 win over Wortham.

Hubbard needs big win and help: Don’t count Hubbard out just yet. If Itasca loses to Italy and the Jaguars beat Wortham by 14 or more points, Hubbard will be the third-place team in 21-1A and make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.