For Central football coach Cortney Braswell, each win is not just an opportunity for a good season - it's a chance to move the process forward.
That was his message to his team after Friday night's 52-6 home victory over Hixson. While he was proud of what his Pounders had done, they still had more important things to play for.
Central (6-3, 4-1 Region 2-4A) was led by a dominating performance on the ground from junior Michael McGhee, who had 219 yards on 15 carries, including four touchdowns.
"For us, it's all a part of our process," said Braswell, who is in his second season leading the Pounders. "The goals I set when I came was to play for a district championship and host a playoff game, and we've done those things.
The majority of McGhee's yards came in the second half, when he had 167 on eight carries, including touchdown runs of 25 and 11 yards. He also had runs of 52 and 44 yards, with both setting up touchdowns.
"I came in knowing I had to give it all I had," McGhee said. "I wasn't able to play to my potential in the past few games, so I really needed to show what a nominee for Mr. Football can do."
McGhee has 22 touchdowns this year, something Braswell said he can't recall happening in recent Pounders history.
"He's had really good production all year," Braswell said. "We've played some tough defenses recently, and he's been banged up a little, so it's really good to see all of his hard work come to fruition."
Central typically uses its running game to wear down defenses over the course of the game, but against Hixson (0-9, 0-5), the Pounders used big plays on offense and created great field position and turnovers on defense and special teams.
The Pounders gained 393 yards on offense, with 346 of those coming on the ground, but only had six first downs due in large part to four touchdown drives of one or two plays. They had a late fumble recovery in the end zone for their final touchdown.
Two of those short drives came in the first six minutes. McGhee scored on the Pounders' second play from scrimmage and had a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of their second drive to set up an early 14-0 lead.
Hixson was able to move the ball into the red zone four times in the game, but each time Central's defense made a stand, with the Wildcats' only score coming late in the fourth quarter with the game already decided.
"I think the most important thing for a defense is points given up in the red zone," Braswell said. "They had really good field position early due to turnovers and negative plays, and for our defense to go out and bow up and only give up six points is something I'm excited about."
Central will close the regular season next week at Tyner, then see what it can do in the Class 4A bracket.
"Now we've got to try to go out and win a playoff game," Braswell continued. "We want to see the train moving forward and our process at work."