Injuries forced Keith playmakers Jeashan Black and Domonique Jones to miss last season’s playoff game against Georgiana. Without two of their key players, the Bears struggled to move the ball and lost big.

Fortunately for Keith, both players will be on the field at full strength for Friday’s playoff opener at New Brockton.

All they have to do is look at last season for motivation.

“When I got out there [last year] and they taped me up and told me I couldn’t play, I actually cried,” Jones said. “I knew my team depended on me. It hurt me to my heart to see my team giving it their all, and I couldn’t even get on the field to at least be a decoy.”

This year against New Brockton, Keith head coach Harry Crum said the Bears will have all of their playmakers on the field, including both Jones and Black.

“I’m just trying to make it all the way, especially for the seniors,” Black said. “I know if I don’t play hard like I’m supposed to, I’ll regret it next year.”

Crum said Jones, the team’s power running back, and Black, a slot receiver, are a hard combination to stop. Jones was a member of the class 2A all-state team last season, and Black is a shifty back who runs the ball a lot on jet sweeps.

“If we can get that thunder and lightning going with Domonique and Jeashan, there’s no telling what can happen,” Crum said.

Crum has done his best to keep Jones fresh this year so that he’d be ready to go for the playoffs. The senior has dealt with a couple of nagging problems, including a shoulder injury, but hasn’t missed a game.

Crum said Jones has looked like his old self in recent weeks. He’s run for 100 yards in three straight games, including Friday’s 129-yard effort against Central Hayneville.

“He ran a touchdown against R.C. Hatch. He ran down the sideline and looked like he was on fire,” Crum said.

“They called it back for holding, but I saw just flashes of it. I said ‘Domonique’s back.’ I think if we see that Friday night, we’ll have half a chance.”

Black has been explosive too. He had an 80-yard kickoff return in Friday’s win over Central Hayneville and also scored on a 47-yard jet sweep.

Black said the offensive line deserves a lot of credit for the team’s success.

“They got a little smaller this year, but they’ve gotten a lot better at blocking from last year,” Black said.

Keith has made the playoffs eight of the last nine years, but the Bears haven’t won a playoff game since 1995.  So, what will it take to change that Friday night?

“If our defense can get stops, our offense will do its job,” Jones said. “Don’t give up anything easy, and we’ll be alright.”