By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

The Callaway Cavaliers made history a year ago when they won the first playoff game in school history.

The Cavs will try to pick up playoff win No. 2 when they host Riverside Military Academy at 7:30 p.m.

The Cavaliers (8-2) are Region 5-AA champions and a No. 1 seed in the Class AA playoffs for the second straight year.

Riverside Military (5-5) earned its state berth by finishing fourth in Region 8-AA.

Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins said his players are ready.

“Any playoff game there’s pressure, just for the fact that if you don’t win, it’s all over,” Wiggins said. “But our kids are confident right now. They might not feel the same pressure that we felt last year, but Riverside has a good football team and we’ve worked hard to get here.”

It’s been a season of streaks for the Riverside Eagles, who earned their second GHSA postseason bid after being just two years removed from GISA.

After starting the season 2-1, Riverside lost three straight before rebounding to win three of the past four games.

With starting quarterback Lucas Bersin at the helm and plenty of offensive weapons, Wiggins knows it will be a tough task for the Cavaliers’ stingy defense.

“(Bersin) has a strong arm and runs well,” Wiggins said. “We’ll have to contain him. Offensively, they throw the ball well. They have some good receivers and a great tight end.”

While the offense has many threats, Wiggins considers the strength of the Eagles to be in their defense, which is coming off a 27-0 shutout over Dawson County.

It’s a good thing the Cavaliers are hitting on all cylinders offensively.

Callaway hasn’t been held to fewer than 44 points in eight straight weeks.

The latest output was a 55-10 domination over Pike County, and the Cavaliers scored 69 points two weeks earlier in a win over Crawford County.

Last year, Callaway was also racking up touchdowns in the regular season, but GAC managed to hold the Cavaliers to 19 points in the first-round game.

The Cavaliers won the game in dramatic fashion, holding the Lions on a goal line stand to advance to the second round with a 19-14 victory.

This year, the defense may be just as solid, and the offense may be more dynamic than last season’s record-breaking squad.

Quarterback Quan Bray has been sensational, and running back Marquis Terrell is putting up huge numbers, including a 240-yard performance against Head County a few weeks ago.

Callaway also has big-play wide receiver Quantavius Leslie to get the ball to.

“I feel like we’re pretty solid right now on both sides of the ball,” Wiggins said. “Our kids are running to the ball and playing well. On offense, things are clicking right now too. Coach (Dusty) Hubbard and Coach (Matt) Napier have done a great job with their sides of the ball. I feel like both sides will be ready to play and I’m looking for them both to play well tonight.”

Riverside Military isn’t a typical high school.

The team has players who hail from all over, including Canada and Texas, among many others.

It doesn’t matter to the Cavaliers where their opponent comes from, however. For Wiggins and the team, it’s another step toward making history at Callaway.

“Our kids are ready to play,” Wiggins said. “Game day couldn’t get here quick enough. I feel like they’ll be ready regardless of who we play