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PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: 13 CLASS 5A Bowerman, who leads the team with over 100 tackles. "We knew if we did that good things would happen. We got those four wins in a row in conference play. We are in a similar position heading into this game. People counted us out all year. We'll keep working hard and see what happens." Bailey said there was no doubt the team would be able to recover from the rough start that the program hasn't seen oen in its history. "A lot of people were down on us," Bailey said. "ey didn't think we could bounce back from that start. We have. I'm proud of my teammates not getting down on themselves and keeping everybody up." Bailey has been a big part of the turnaround. He has provided at least 80 or more receiving yards or a touchdown in all but one of Alma's wins this season. "Bailey is a very good athlete," senior running back Keegan Rosebeary said. "He gives us room to think of different schemes we can do with the ball. I honestly couldn't be more proud of him and the season he has had. He makes big players you don't see many people do. He is a monster and can do whatever is needed for the team." Bailey, who also plays some safety for Alma, helped cap the 5-2 conference run with his best game of the season in a 40-3 victory on the road against Huntsville last week. He caught seven passes for a season-high 139 yards with three touchdowns to close out the regular season. "He has had some huge games for us this season," Loughridge said. "He keeps coming to work good or bad. He is always competing out there. He is very selfless and does a great job blocking. He will compete out on the edge for us." Establishing the passing attack with Blair finding Bailey oen has been a key to opening up Rosebeary and the running game, Loughridge said. Rosebeary finished the regular season with 732 yards and eight touchdowns on 127 carries for Alma. "He has helped keep things balanced," Loughridge said. "We have been able to run it this year. We don't have a quarterback that runs that much this season. It helps that Grayson has been able to keep us balanced." Loughridge knows it will be a tough task for Alma to extend its season on the road against Pulaski Academy, but it wasn't easy to overcome a 0-3 start to the season either. "We are going against the best," Loughridge said. "We know what they are and what they represent. Our kids are ready and eager to match that challenge. It's us against the world. e only people who believe we can beat them are in Alma. And even half of those don't." HARRISON Goblins have everything for now Harrison closed out the regular season with the two things it wanted — an unbeaten record and a 5A-West Conference championship. ose two accomplishments, however, are now the past as the Goblins (10-0) turn their attention to the Class 5A state playoffs with hopes of winning their first title since 1999. "Everybody's now the same," Harrison coach Joel Wells said. "Everybody's now 0-0. You must win to advance, or lose and go home. "Any time you start a playoff season, everything steps up a notch in intensity, practice and preparation for everybody involved. I don't think it will be an issue for getting our kids ready to play." Harrison begins the playoffs with a first-round game at home against White Hall, the No. 4 seed from the 5A-Central. e two teams have only played twice since 2001, and White Hall won the last game with a 37-16 decision in 2006. e Bulldogs (5-4) enter the game on a three-game losing skid, including a 63-21 loss to defending state champion Pulaski Academy. White Hall, however, has Wells' full attention. "e Central is the toughest league right now, with the way it looks," Wells said. "ey look very athletic and will be a very big challenge for us. ey stand out for having a lot of speed and quickness. I think they look a lot like Morrilton as far as their athleticism, and they are a lot like Hot Springs Lakeside, which we played a year ago. "Our focus is going to be to play great defense, like we have all year long, and take care of the football." — Henry Apple • @NWAHenry MARK HUMPHREY/ENTERPRISE-LEADER PHOTO Harrison junior running back Game Huskey powered the Goblins to the 5A-West title by rushing for more than 1,500 yards. Harrison will host White Hall in the first round of the playoffs Friday night. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018