Just three points separate hosting a playoff game and missing the postseason altogether in the SSAC standings right now as the Eagles have a chance to separate themselves and clear the waters facing two of the other teams in the logjam, Middle Georgia and Brewton-Parker, on the road.

JOUST WITH THE KNIGHTS - 6:30 p.m. central - Cochran, Ga.

The two meetings between the sides last year yielded all kinds of fireworks with Faulkner winning both matches despite ending both a man down. The two contests, just sixteen days apart, yielded two red cards and 11 yellows over 46 fouls as the Eagles won 2-1 in overtime in the regular season and 1-0 in the tournament. 

The backdrop of the two highly competitive matches plus just one match separating the two in the current standings sets the stage for a rumble Thursday night at 6:30 central. If the season were to end before the matches, Faulkner (3-8, 2-2 SSAC) would be in fourth while Middle Georgia  (2-10-1, 1-3 SSAC) would be on the outside looking in due to goal difference. 

James Skelton leads the Knights' offense with four goals and Callum Bryan's three. Alain Skerritt's two assists is most on the team. James Price has handled most of the goalkeeping duties with a .652 save percentage with 45 saves over 11 appearances. 

For Faulkner, Antoine Marques's six goals is the best on the team with Guilherme Mondaini, Sam Kelly, Ilan Tabet and Thiago Micki each scoring two on the season. Marques's three assists is also a team best while Mondaini, Matheus Rodrigues and Heming Solberg Anderson each have two. Between the sticks, Nic Fischer is coming off the best weekend of his collegiate career with 12 saves in two shutouts en route to the SSAC Defensive Player of the Week--the second time he won the weekly league award. 

Fischer and Kelly swept the SSAC Player of the Week award last season for their performance against the Knights and Barons. Kelly went on to win the NAIA Offensive Player of the Week award with four goals and two assists on the weekend with the golden goal against Middle Georgia. 

Historically, Faulkner has won the last five matches with the Knights, but are still seeking their first win in Cochran, losing the only match in the series played there on a muddy night 2-1. 

If the Eagles win, it will mark the first time they have ever won three consecutive conference matches. In 2016, Faulkner defeated Middle Georgia and Brewton-Parker to conclude the regular season before beating Mobile in the first round of the SSAC playoffs, but the game did not technically count as a "conference" game since it was postseason (yes this is in the weeds, but it's an 800 word preview so you're probably still here because that is at least of some interest to you.) Faulkner has just thrice finished with three or more wins in conference play.

GAME OF THE WEEK AGAINST BARONS - 3:00 p.m. central - Mt. Vernon, Ga.

The SSAC Game of the Week pits Faulkner against its most common foe, Brewton-Parker. The Eagles and Barons have squared off 17 times and the series history is as even as possible with each team winning seven matches and three draws. The Eagles have won the lion's share of the recent contests, winning seven of the last eight. In those contests, the first team to score has won every match and held a clean sheet. Faulkner is 4-1 on the road in that stretch and 4-4-2 all-time. Goal scoring has been almost as even as possible with Brewton-Parker slightly edging the Eagles 29-28. 

The last meeting turned into the largest victory for Faulkner in the series as Kelly dominated the match with three goals and two assists. However, the last trip to Mt. Vernon resulted in a 1-0 loss for the Eagles, falling in the 79th minute. 

This matchup has massive playoff implications, as both teams sit at six points a piece and are separated by one goal in goal difference with the same teams to play. Samuel Figueiro leads the team in both goals and assists with five scores and three helpers. Jamair Stewart stands between the sticks with a .648 save percentage on 57 saves in nine appearances.

Two new head coaches who have spent time as assistants in their respective programs square off in this one as Gabriel de Queiroz is in his first full season for the Eagles after taking over in winter of last season while Bob Neumann is in his first season at the helm for the Barons. 

Much like Faulkner, Brewton-Parker (4-9-1, 2-2 SSAC as of Thursday morning) has only thrice recorded three or more conference wins in their program's history and has not done so since 2005.

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Middle Georgia 
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Brewton-Parker 
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