Carson Freeman (23) looks at Owen Lovell, left, and gives his Cullman teammate a smile after a play in the end zone against North Jackson. The Bearcats host Southside-Gadsden on Friday.

Cullman enters this week extremely close to making the Class 6A playoffs — and just as close to missing them.

Win Friday’s home game against Southside-Gadsden (5-2, 2-2 in Region 7), and the ‘Cats (4-3, 2-2) would have the inside track to first-round hosting rights as the second seed. Lose, though, and they’d likely be left out unless winless Fort Payne upsets either Albertville or Pell City.

No pressure.

Just high stakes. And clear ones at that.

“I know we’ve got to win to get in the playoffs,” receiver Carson Freeman said. “We’ve just got to come out and show what we can do.”

The Black and Gold showed nothing but heart in their last outing, a 25-24 comeback over Pell City after trailing 21-3 early in the third quarter. Freeman said the thrilling triumph taught the team to never give up, a valuable trait as Cullman approaches its most important tilt with a full head of steam.

Though the roll of a three-game win streak was slightly stalled by last week’s bye, Freeman — who has 503 yards and four touchdowns on 30 catches — believes the Bearcats still have momentum on their side.

“Coming off the dead week, we had some bangs and bruises we needed to get healed,” he said. “I think we’ll be ready. They’ve got that good running back. If we can shut him down, put up some points, I think we can win.”

The “good running back” Freeman referred to is none other than Auburn commit Alaric Williams. He’s actually been pretty great — when healthy — for the Panthers, backing up his four-star rating with 328 yards and six touchdowns against Oxford and Brewer since returning from a knee injury.

Cullman coach Mark Britton was mighty high on Williams, calling the playmaker a “special kid” and “the best running back in our region right now.”

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for our defense to be able to try and slow that guy down,” Britton added. “You’re not going to stop him.”

Toss Kenneth Bothwell and Baylon Fry into the mix, and Southside has more than enough speedsters to tempt any defense into loading the box. That’s not always the smartest decision, however, with quarterback Triston Shaw fully capable of capitalizing on play-action to expand the field. Austin Winningham took advantage with two long touchdown catches versus Brewer just last week.

“We’re going to have to take chances here and there,” Britton said. “If you guess wrong, you’re leaving a kid on an island somewhere against a good receiver. But if you don’t try to stack the box, this guy (Williams) is going to run it down your throat. He’s going to get his yards, so we need to try to limit it.”

Britton expects special teams to play a major factor in Friday’s showdown. He said the ‘Cats have had some strong weeks in the return (courtesy of Caden Winn and Jayden Sullins) and kicking (Tristin Skinner is 6 of 7 on field goals and 24 of 24 on extra points) games, and could use another to have a chance against Southside.

“We just need to find a way to get a win, whether it’s one point or two touchdowns, whatever.” Britton said. “We’ll take whatever we need. The kids are doing a good job, and they’re working their best. That’s about all we can ask of them.”