ELLAVILLE — Brandy Conner was asked by one of her players this week how Schley County might do against Taylor County in today’s Region 2-A softball championship series.

Her answer?

“It depends on if Jekyll or Hyde shows up,” she said.

Schley County (20-5) roared through sub-region play with a 11-0 record and outscoring opponents 109-2. While those numbers are staggering, Conner said it will take a lot more to beat rival Taylor County (14-11) on its home field in Butler.

“The two games against Turner (County) we played with intensity, we were hard-nosed and knew what to do,” she said. “With everybody else we played good ball, but we didn’t play with the same intensity.”

The two teams met in last year’s championship with Taylor coming out on top 3-2 in extra innings. Taylor had a 1-0 lead until the fifth when Schley tied it. But two errors in the eighth helped the Lady Vikings prevail.

Schley senior Stephanie Veatch still remembers the sick feeling she had after the game. She said the Lady Wildcats want payback.

“I was pretty shaken up about it,” she said. “We’re ready to beat them on their field like they did us last year.”

Schley had to replace a lot of starters, but four freshmen have stepped in. Veatch said those who played in that game made sure they know what’s at stake.

“They don’t know how it feels to be a region champion, and they haven’t been through it,” she said. “There’s a chance two or three of us can through it again this year.

“Being a senior, we’ve tried to lead them and keep them going and motivate them and stay confident in yourself and the team rather being an individual player. I think we’ll be pretty pumped and ready to play.”

Three players — sophomore Savannah Sloan, senior Callie Ann Poole and junior Sh’Quanah Grover — gave Schley a lot of trouble in the four games they played last year. Taylor won three of them.

“It doesn’t matter what their record is, it’s Taylor,” said Conner. “We know who they’ve got left from last year and some their capabilities. We have to prepare for that. Those three are his threats, and we feel like if we keep them (in check), we’ll be OK.”

The series starts at 1 p.m. with Game 2 to follow and Game 3, if necessary, after that.