By MATT SCHUCKMAN

Herald-Whig Sports Writer

Brent Bondurant looks at the calendar almost in disbelief.

"It seems like August was a week ago," the Scotland County football coach said.

That's because no one wants this dream season to end.

"When you're winning ballgames and having success, time flies," said Bondurant, who has the Tigers (6-4) in the playoffs for the first time since 2004 as they head to Marceline (10-0) on Wednesday for a Class 1 regional game. "It's been a lot of fun."

So much fun, the Memphis, Mo., community is completely enthralled.

"You go in the grocery store and it's like, 'Hey, good luck Wednesday night. We're proud of you,'" Bondurant said.

That's because the community understands where this program has been. The Tigers won just three games the previous three years, going 0-10 in 2007 during a stretch of four straight losing seasons.

"I've seen a rejuvenation," Bondurant said.

Something as simple as effort made it happen. Bondurant credits the work ethic of his team and the leadership of his five seniors, four of whom have been part of the varsity team for four season, for changing the tide.

"Seeing good kids, good kids all the way around, not just in football, reaping the benefits of hard work, that's what makes it worthwhile," Bondurant said.

The biggest benefit has been the ability to move the ball on the ground. As a team, the Tigers have racked up 2,020 yards rushing with 29 touchdowns, while averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

And defensively, they've been opportunistic. Scotland County has picked off 17 passes and recovered 14 fumbles.

Getting the ball away from Marceline back Matthew Bell might be a chore.

Princeton (5-5) at Knox County (6-4)

Eagles coach Steve Ramer couldn't say there was an advantage for either team having faced off in the opening round of the playoffs a year ago with the Tigers winning 28-12.

"You know what you do best," Ramer said. "They know what they do best. ... It comes down to who can hold on to the football."

That may sound cliche, but in Knox County's case, it's true. The Eagles have committed 18 turnovers in their losses and just seven in their victories.

"It was just not realizing the importance of possession," Ramer said. "And there was a snowball effect. We had a period there where we let one bad thing lead to another. What we had to do was make sure we didn't let one mistake get us down. We stressed what you do after that is what matters."

What the Eagles have to do is play defense. Tigers junior Vance Purdun, a second-team all-state running back as a sophomore, has racked up more than 1,600 yards rushing while scoring three or more touchdowns five times.

"They make you play assignment defense," Ramer said.

Mark Twain (6-4) at Clark County (10-0)

Here's the bottom line: The Indians know how to win.

That was the question Clark County faced with only five returning starters from last year's Class 2 state championship team. The Indians' answer came in the form of a dynamic offense, which has racked up 3,771 yards and averaged 8.5 yards per play.

Clark County quarterback Justin Oilar has completed 54 percent of his passes, while throwing for 1,556 yards and 18 scores. Justin Alderton is the Indians' latest 1,000-yard rusher, having churned out 1,362 yards and 18 TDs.

Such numbers suggest Mark Twain better dig in.

The Tigers, in the playoffs for the first time since 1993, have allowed 29 or more points in three of their four losses and beat only one team with a winning record. The Tigers should get some help with the expected return of senior running back/defensive back John Hughes, who has been sidelined since Week 3 with a knee injury.

The Tigers might have an edge is if the field is choppy and muddy. First-year Mark Twain coach Matt Hudson orchestrates a simple, run-based offense that will come right at a defense. In terrible conditions, the Tigers have proven themselves to be efficient mudders.

Brookfield (8-2) at South Shelby (9-1)

The status of Cardinals running back Shannon Hall seems to be the biggest concern for both teams, and neither will be sure until just before kickoff whether Hall's tender ankle will be healed enough for him to play.

South Shelby coach Rob Wilt said Hall would be game-time decision.

If Hall, who has more than 1,400 yards rushing this season, can't go, the Cardinals have other options. Stefan Andress has more than 600 yards rushing, while Will Mefford had 245 yards rushing in the season opener.

Yet, defense is what sets the Cardinals apart.

South Shelby has won eight straight games, allowing just 37 points with three shutouts in that span. Only two opponents, including top-ranked Centralia, have scored more than seven points against the Cardinals.

Brookfield could end up being the third.

The Bulldogs scored 40 or more points in six straight games and averaged 30.7 points per game overall. They were stymied last week by Clark County, losing the district title game 8-6 as they failed on a two-point conversion in the third quarter.

— mschuckman@whig.com/221-3366