The Pearl River Central Blue Devils find themselves in a dependent situation in order to reach the postseason. Currently, the Devils stand in sixth place with a 2-3 record in the 4-5A district. Friday, they face a 4-1 Hattiesburg team and the week after, they end the regular season against their rival, Picayune, also 4-1.

Hypothetically, if PRC beats Hattiesburg, the Devils move to 3-3, while the Tigers regress to 4-2. Then, in the Tigers’ final game of the season, they face another 4-1 team in Stone County. If they were to lose that game as well and PRC were to beat Picayune, they would both end their seasons with a 4-3 district record, giving the Devils a chance at the playoffs.

Likewise, Picayune takes on Pascagoula this week. In the event Picayune suffered a loss this week and PRC pulls out an upset on Nov. 4, the same scenario would apply for the Blue Devils.

PRC has been an underdog this season, performing well for a team who nearly revamped the entire coaching staff and had to adjust to an entirely different offensive and defensive scheme.

Regardless of the level—whether it be high school, college or professional— the players need time to adjust to changes in coaching staff, which is something that seems to have clicked late in the season for the Devils.

After Oct. 14, PRC started its winning streak this season. However, during the subsequent week they lost to Pascagoula.

With its last two games against two of the best teams in the district, most would see this as frightening, but for the Devils, it’s an opportunity for postseason glory.

The Devils have a dynamic running game to lead the charge offensively. The counterpart defense for PRC can also change a game at any moment with ball-hawks lurking on every play.

However, this defense has its hands full as they prepare for a Hattiesburg offense comprised of top athletes, including wide receiver Jordan Murphy, who has committed to the University of Tennessee. So far this season, Murphy has nabbed 60 receptions for 1,343 yards and an astounding 17 touchdowns.

Although these teams approach the game with different styles, they share a corresponding goal of making it to the playoffs. The Blue Devils host Hattiesburg this Friday at 7 p.m.