BY WES MCKINNEY
No. 5 Wheeling Park (11-1) at No. 1 Huntington (12-0) – Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Huntington kept its undefeated season alive last week as it squeaked by No. 8 George Washington, 17-13, on a Charles Crawford touchdown with 40 seconds left to play.
It was the third time in the last four games that the Highlanders have won by eight points or less.
“Our kids just found a way to win,” Huntington coach Billy Seals. “That has kind of been our thing — find a way to win. We got a defensive stop with about five minutes left in the game and our offense went 66 yards and scored with 40 seconds left. It was a good team win.
“Even when we were down 13-7 in the third quarter, I told our kids, ‘Hey we are going to go down the field kick a field goal, get a stop and score again in the fourth quarter and win this thing,’” he said. “Our kids believed that and we are battle-tested that is for sure.”
Huntington will welcome in a Wheeling Park team that has won six straight games by an average of 30.8 points per game, including a 28-7 road playoff win against Point Pleasant last week.
Both teams will be entering uncharted territory with the Highlanders making their first ever Class AAA playoff semifinal appearance, while the Patriots will be making it to the final four for the first time since 1991.
“It’s another step in the right direction for the program,” Seals said. “It was one of our goals this year — to get to the state semifinals. We ultimately want to get to the state championship.”
And to get to Wheeling Island in a next Saturday, they will have to shut down a powerful and balanced Patriots offense.
“They are very similar along the offensive line to Spring Valley — very, very big,” Seals said. “Quarterback Zach Phillips is good and puts the ball on the money. Everything they do is timing routes. They do a great job in the scramble drill whenever opposing defenses get pressure on (Phillips.) I would say they are close to 50-50 as far as what they want to do in the run and the pass.
“Savion Johnson is a great running back. Linebacker Geremy Paige is maybe the best linebacker in the state. That kid makes plays all over the field. They are a complete football team. That’s why they are in the final four.”
With the distractions Thanksgiving week can possibly bring, Seals is relying on the leadership of his seniors that enter Saturday’s game in search of their 30thwin of a class.
“Our kids understand what’s on the line,” Seals said. “We have 18 seniors and they understand what’s on the line. They know this opportunity doesn’t come along very often. It’s always good to be practicing on Thanksgiving. We are blessed that we get to do that.”
No. 13 Robert C. Byrd (9-3) at No. 1 Wayne (12-0)
Running back Steven Perry added to his name to the list of Wayne ball carriers that have been clutch for the Pioneers in big spots this season.
Perry carried the ball just eight times, but scored the first three Wayne touchdowns in a convincing 48-7 win over Sissonville last week in less than ideal conditions.
“Our defense played tough and held until we found some seams to move the ball,” Wayne head coach Tom Harmon said. “We have had guys fill in for us at key spots have performed great.”
In fact the muddy mess of Pioneer Field has caused the Class AA semifinal clash between the Eagles and Pioneers to be moved to Bob Sang Stadium in Huntington Friday night.
“We appreciate Huntington letting us use their facilities,” Harmon said. “There’s just no way we can not give our guys the best chance to be successful.”
This will be a rematch of last year’s Class AA semifinal that the Pioneers would go on to win 18-0 en route to their second consecutive title.
In the grudge match, Wayne is hoping to have quarterback Grant Ferguson back in the lineup after the junior signal caller sat out against Sissonville last week.
Meanwhile, RCB comes in after two road upsets against No. 4 Frankfort and 12 seed Ritchie County.
After a 2-2 start, the Eagles have won seven of their last eight as well.
“They have found their niche offensively as the season has progressed and their young team has matured,” Harmon said. “They do a nice job in coaching up their schemes and it shows in how they play fundamentally. They do all the things needed to be successful this time of year.”
With a win over Robert C. Byrd Friday night, the Pioneers would tie Ansted for the most consecutive wins for a school at 36.