Wheeling Central’s first test against in-state competition comes at 6 p.m. Friday when the Maroon Knights welcome Nitro to Bishop Schmitt Field in the MetroNews Television Game of the Week.
No. 8 in the latest batch of WVSSAC Class A Playoff Ratings, Central (3-3) can take a step forward toward solidifying a postseason berth and enhance its chances at one or potentially multiple postseason games at home by defeating the defending Class AAA runner-up Wildcats.
Nitro (2-4) has taken a step back following one of the most accomplished seasons in program history, but the Wildcats are No. 20 in the playoff ratings ahead of Week 7 and have plenty to play for down the stretch in Collin Beckner’s first year as head coach.
WATCH NITRO @ WHEELING CENTRAL ON METRONEWSTV
Three keys to watch for when the Maroon Knights take on the Wildcats:
- Be balanced
The more both teams can avoid being one-dimensional on offense, the better the chances of a breakout and high-scoring showing.
Central has overcome a three-game September skid with consecutive victories and quarterback Nico Kusic is elevating his play. Kusic is known as a sound decision-maker and dual threat, and his surplus of experience makes it tough for opposing defenses to present looks he’s unfamiliar with.
Nitro quarterback Timmy Boyd has shown what he’s capable of at times throughout his freshman season, and Boyd would heavily benefit from the Wildcats being able to establish the run when they try to get tailback Nysiaha Walker going on the ground.
- Time of possession
Wheeling Central is fresh off a shutout in its most recent game and has allowed a total of 22 points across three victories. The defense is more than capable of impacting games in a positive way, but sustaining drives on offense can be a big bonus to a unit looking to continue building off of its strong showings of late.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, can help alleviate some of the pressure Boyd faces by staying ahead of the sticks and getting into favorable second down situations and manageable third downs — and that will only be possible by keeping the Maroon Knights’ defense honest and being unpredictable when the opportunity presents itself.
- Focus on the present
The defending Class A state champion Maroon Knights went a month without a win while losing two of three games by two points over that time.
Now that Central has worked its way back into the top 10 of the Class A playoff picture, the Maroon Knights can continue their climb by winning one of only two regular season games against in-state competition (a finale at Williamstown is the other).
Nitro has lost each of its four games by at least 29 points and won twice by 36 and 29, respectively, meaning the Wildcats have yet to play under pressure down the stretch.
Any hope the Wildcats have on qualifying for the postseason likely rests on winning three of four remaining games, and there will be no margin for error the rest of the way without a victory Friday.