VIENNA, W.Va — A pair of postseason fixtures meet in the Class AA 8 vs. 9 game Saturday when Mingo Central visits Point Pleasant.
The Miners have won six playoff games and a state title in the last two seasons. The Big Blacks are 40-6 dating back to the start of 2015.
This is a regular season rematch from the opening week when the Big Blacks made the trek up Miner Mountain and left with a 42-35 win.
“We feel like that was the most important game,” said Point Pleasant head coach David Darst. “Obviously it was week one but we knew what kind of program they are and we knew what we had to do.”
“You kind of figure out who fits in the best spots throughout the season,” said Mingo Central head coach Josh Sammons. “We have changed a little bit but our scheme hasn’t changed much so you will see about the same thing.”
Two of the state’s best offenses will share the field and they are led by elite signal callers. Point Pleasant is second in scoring in Class AA, averaging just under 49 points a contest. Senior quarterback Cason Payne has accounted for 2,308 total yards and 32 touchdowns.
“He is that dual-threat type of kid,” Darst said. “But his passing numbers are right where they were last year. I am a guy who likes to keep things balanced. I am not too excited about going out and watching a kid throw for three-hundred yards but the other night (vs. James Monroe) he threw for 262 yards and I thought that was a very productive night.”
Sophomore and first-year starting quarterback Daylin Goad has stepped right into the void left by the graduation of Jeremy Dillon at Mingo Central. Goad has thrown for 44 touchdowns with 2,982 passing yards.
His leading receiver Drew Hatfield has reeled in 19 of those scores. “(Daylin) is leaps and bounds ahead of where I thought he would be right now,” Sammons said. “I couldn’t be happier with what he has done. I have him back two more years and he is headed in the right direction.”
(Photos by Wes Wilson Photography)