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The Collins High School football team will hit the road for today’s Class 4-A state semifinal game, but that’s nothing new for the Titans this season. They were forced to play all of their “home” games at nearby Shelby County after the Collins playing field was deemed unplayable during the summer.

Administrators still are trying to determine who will pay to repair the Titans’ Sports Turf field in time for the 2012 season.

For now, though, the only concern is today’s trip to Franklin-Simpson (12-1) for a 7 p.m. EST kickoff.

“I think it’s amazing what they’ve done,” Collins coach Jerry Lucas said of his players. “They’ve gotten on a school bus to go to every game this year.”

The Titans (11-2) lost their first two “home” games to Class 6-A opponents Meade County and Eastern before winning their final six. That included three playoff games, including a 13-12 squeaker over Western in last week’s Region Two final.

Sophomore quarterback Lawson Page said he hasn’t minded playing at Shelby County, even if students from the rival school occasionally make it hard to garner a home-field advantage.

“They’ll go on the (visitors’ side and cheer against us,” Page said. “But that’s part of a rivalry. It’s fine.”

Lucas said not having the Sports Turf field recently has been tough because rains have turned the grass practice field into a muddy mess.

“The worst part is walking past it every day to go over to the practice field,” he said. “It’s beautiful. It’s like your parents gave you a new toy and took it right back from you.”

Collins will face a Franklin-Simpson team that has won 11 straight games since a 34-6 loss at Warren Central on Aug. 26. Senior cousins Darius Wickware (1,665 yards, 26 TDs) and Jerrell Wickware (597 yards, seven TDs) lead the Wildcats’ wing-T attack.

“Darius is a power back, but he also has speed and finesse,” Wildcats coach Tim Schlosser said. “He has good vision and sees the hole well. … Jerrell is one of those scatback-type guys. We line him up at several different positions. He’s quicker than Darius.”

Linebacker Kane Ray (165 tackles) leads the defense. David Elson, former head coach at Western Kentucky University, is the offensive coordinator.

Lucas said Collins shouldn’t be shocked by the Wildcats’ speed.

“I like the fact that we’ve played the Easterns and Bryan Stations and Westerns,” he said. “We’ve played an extremely large number of athletic teams.”

http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...ld?Avis=B2