FAYETTE — With Jefferson County entering into the playoffs for the third straight year, one might think postseason experience would be an advantage for the Tigers.

However, with most of the Tigers’ players from the last two seasons being lost to graduation, head coach James Herrington said he’s looking to instill the right kind of mindset in order to overcome the inexperience.

“This year’s team is one of the younger teams I’ve ever coached,” Herrington said. “We’ve lost about 50 players in the last two years, and have only five seniors starting this year.

“The main thing we’ve been focusing on is, you can only take things one play at a time. We just have to try and extend it to one more Friday. We want our players to understand that this is a playoff game, and you have to do the small things like taking care of the football, not giving up big plays and not penalizing yourself.”

The Tigers, who finished the regular season 4-5 and placed third in Region 7-3A, are set to travel to Morton High School Friday in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.

“We know they’re 9-1 on the season, and they have a huge front line,” Herrington said. “Their offensive and defensive fronts are pretty formidable. They’re a pretty quick and agile team, and they have one of the bigger fronts we’ve gone against, other than Evangel (Christian Academy).”

Herrington said Morton’s play on offense revolves around its quarterback, whom the Tigers will have to contain if they want to have a chance of winning.

“They’re basically a Wing-T option team. Their quarterback is their best athlete, and how he goes is pretty much how they go. If he has a big game, it’s going to be a long night for us.

“He’s an outstanding runner, and he manages the game pretty well. He has over 1,400 yards running this season, so we know he didn’t get those pitching the ball.”

Pitching the ball is what Herrington said he wants to force Morton’s quarterback to do, because he feels it gives the Tigers a much better chance to win.

“We have to play sound assignment football,” Herrington said. “We have to play gap control, and whoever is in charge of the quarterback, we have to make sure he’s playing disciplined.”

For the Tigers’ offense, Herrington said he wants to maintain a balanced attack.

“That’s what has been our key. In the games we’ve done that in, we’ve been able to be successful. We have to be able to get around the perimeter and make plays. We also have to make some room inside to the run the football, and take advantage of passing downs.”

Kickoff at Morton will be at 7 p.m. Friday.