The Maroon Devils have faced relatively inexperienced playoff opponents so far, but that will all change Saturday. Swain will face off with Southwest Onslow in the 1AA State Championship game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Southwest is no stranger to State Championships and State Championship runs. Head coach Phil Padgett and the Stallions’ have made a habit of winning games. In his 25 years at the helm they have 3 State Titles and 5 State Championship game appearances. All 3 of their State Titles came in the 2A ranks, with the last in 2004.
In 2009 the Stallions lost in the State Championship game to Albemarle. Then in 2010 and 2011 they were defeated in the Eastern Regional Finals by Pender and Ayden-Grifton.
So to say Southwest is no stranger to deep playoff runs would be an understatement. But the trophy case at Swain isn’t empty either, a fact not lost on Padgett.
” Talk about tradition,” Padgett said on Monday. “I have the utmost respect for Swain County, and I am excited about this game, although I am not as excited about how good they are.”
Devils coach Neil Blankenship was equally impressed with Southwest and coach Padgett. “They have won 3 and made it to 5, being there that many times as a coach, that is impressive. I think both schools begin the year with this in mind.”