By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

Callaway has plenty riding on its trip to Franklin Friday night.

Not only do the Cavaliers face a surging Heard County team that has won two straight, but the Braves are the only thing standing in the Cavs’ way of a No. 1 seed in the Class AA playoffs.

Add in the fact that Heard is Callaway’s biggest Region 5-AA rival, and a classic match-up could unfold at Staples Stadium, where the Braves are 4-0 this season.

“The kids have worked hard this week and they know the importance of this game with Heard,” said Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins. “It’s a big rivalry game. Heard’s just right up the road from us.”

While the red-hot Cavaliers (6-2), who are riding a 16-game region winning streak dating back to 2007, have blown through every region opponent they’ve faced this season, Heard won’t be backing down.

The Braves, led by senior quarterback Santez Emory, are coming off two straight wins over Spencer and Lamar County, with the latter being a 17-16 upset road win.

Head coach Mark Barron’s team is fighting for their playoff lives every week, and Wiggins knows to expect a hard-fought game.

“I think it’s going to be a physical game,” Wiggins said. “We’ve just got to go in there and play hard.”

The Braves (5-3) have battled injuries for much of the year, but the team seems to be playing its best football now.

Emory, who has several scholarship offers from Division-I schools, made his first appearance after a minor surgery in the 28-7 loss to Macon County on Oct. 9, but has since lit up the scoreboard

He’s also got plenty of weapons to work with, including running back Jeremiah Hill and wide receiver Jaquay Williams.

The Braves use an option-style Veer offense, which is very similar to what the Cavaliers do.

With the way Callaway defense is playing right now, that should be an advantage for the Cavaliers.

“I think it helps us defensively,” Wiggins said. “Our guys know the importance of defending the dive-quarterback-pitch. (Emory) does a great job with that offense. We’ll have to play responsibility football.”

The Callaway defense has allowed just 6.5 points per game in region play and Heard is giving up and average of 20, but the Braves have held its last two opponents under 17 points.

For Barron, the stats are a telling sign of how good Callaway has been in region games.

“I think right now, it’s Callaway, and then everybody else (in the region),” Barron said. “They’re head-and-shoulders above everybody right now.”

It’s difficult to argue with Barron, as the Cavs have outscored all region opponents by an average score of 48-6.

While Callaway has all the pressure, Wiggins isn’t concerned about a lack of focus from his team.

The Cavaliers have had “good practices” this week, and haven’t discussed the possibility of earning the coveted No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

“All we’re talking about right now is winning that football game Friday night,” Wiggins said.