Middleton looks to end 24-year playoff drought

Craig Harris has been through plenty of struggles associated with Middleton High School football as a player, assistant coach and now head coach for his sixth season.

But those struggles will take a back seat next week when the Tigers do something they haven’t done since 1992 – play in the playoffs.

Harris was a sophomore on that team.

“I was talking at church with a guy that was a senior on that team the other day, and we were talking about that night,” Harris said. “We played in Memphis, and it was raining and cold.

“But it was a night we’ll never forget because it was such a memorable night.”

Harris said he expects this year’s players to treat next week’s game the same way.

“No matter what happens this week or next week, this is history for our program,” Harris said. “And it’s something we can build on.”

Middleton is in the playoffs because two teams in Memphis – Carver High School and Memphis Northside – were closed during the summer, leaving four teams in Region 8-1A.

The Tigers have already lost to the teams playing for the region championship on Friday – Middle College and KIPP Academy. But the Tigers play Booker T. Washington in Middleton to decide third and fourth place. If Middleton wins, it will travel to Union City, the Region 7-1A runner-up. A loss this week means the Tigers go to 7-1A champion Dresden.

“After 24 years, I don’t care how we get in the playoffs,” Harris said. “I’m just glad to be playing in November. It’s a cool feeling.”

But Harris is quick to keep the focus for everybody on this week as there’s a game to still be played and possibly won this week before the playoffs begin.

Middleton beat Washington last year on a late drive to come from behind right before the end of the game.

“BTW is good this year,” Harris said. “I know they graduated a lot of seniors, and we did too.

“But from what I’ve seen on film of them, they’re very fast and they haven’t used the same quarterback for more than one game. And I’ve seen a few games of film on them. We’ll just have to be ready for anything, but we’re going in injured. So we’ve got to come ready to play our best.”

Brandon Shields, 425-9751