PORTER — Porter defensive back Jacob Richardson wants to make it clear.

Having finally climbed the hurdle of getting past the first round after back-to-back denials, the 11-0 Pirates aren’t relaxing, even as they get set to host a second-round game for the first time in school history when the No. 2-ranked Canton Tigers (10-1) comes to Pirate Stadium tonight.

“It’s like coach talked to us about, we can’t be satisfied with this,” he said. “Our fans, they may be satisfied since we haven’t accomplished this much in a season ever. But we can’t be. We’ve got a chance to go further.”

The Pirates will face a team that’s only loss came against the same team that beat them in the Class B semifinals a year ago, District B-1 rival, Garber, the 2008 Class B champion. The Tigers possess a multiple-look offense and defense that tries to base their attack against what the opponent offers them.

“They’ve got a lot of team speed, probably the most we’ve seen,” Porter coach Ron Coppedge said. “They run a lot of motion and they’ll fake one way, fake another way and roll out. They’re very good at keeping you off balance.”

Quarterback Colby Haigler is both a run and pass threat in the Tigers’ no-huddle offense.

“Defensively, their two-man front with four linebackers has a lot of movement,” Coppedge said. “They’ll put them in different positions and have more up on the line, and they’ll twist and stunt. You have to prepare to make adjustments.”

Coppedge, in his second year as head coach after serving two seasons under Kelly Husted, coached Garber’s current group of juniors and seniors when they were fifth and sixth graders at Garber. He was a high school assistant at the time.

“I knew there was something special in that group back then,” he said.

But then, he admits, his current group of Pirates is also quite special.

“I think we’re up for the test,” he said. “It’s good to be getting them at home.”

Richardson, who had two of his nine interceptions this season in last week’s 38-28 win over Weleetka, thinks the defense will determine the outcome.

“Our offense can score against anyone and we usually stop the run on everybody,” he said. “If we do what we’ve been able to do well, then this comes down to stopping their passing game, which is pretty good.”

Porter moved on into the postseason without the services of running back Nick Scarborough, who was released due to disciplinary reasons. His brother, Marcus Scarborough, rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns last week.

Erik Ridgway has become the new running back, moving from tight end to tailback.

“We may not be as explosive as we were but we don’t lose that much in Erik,” Coppedge said. “He’s a very sound athlete. He’ll get you 4-5 yards but not as a breakaway-type back.”

Canton coach Rob Davis is impressed with the athleticism of Scarborough and linebacker/fullback Marcus Bruner, the Small School Defensive Player of the Year on the All-Phoenix team last year.

“They’ve got very disciplined personnel. The Scarborough kid runs the ball well and Bruner is very physical and about as gifted an athlete as we’ve seen,” he said. “As much as people think the best eight-man football is on the west side, I have no doubt Porter can come out here and play with any of us.”

Coppedge isn’t taking anything for granted. The next loss marks quite possibly the end of eight-man football for the Pirates, who move to 11-man Class A next season.

“This is going to be a test for us. We’re going to have to play mistake-free ball,” he said.