Frankfort owns the longest win streak of any West Virginia high school football program by a wide margin with 36 straight victories.
To extend it, the Falcons will need to defeat a marquee opponent for the second straight week as they get set to welcome Independence at 7 p.m. Friday for the MetroNews Television Game of the Week.
The Class AA No. 1 Falcons (8-0) are within two victories of a third consecutive unbeaten regular season and have their sights set on a third straight state championship as well.
The No. 6 Patriots (5-2) have navigated a quirky and challenging schedule and have won three straight. Seven of the nine games Independence plays this regular season are away from home.
WATCH INDEPENDENCE @ FRANKFORT ON METRONEWS TV
Three keys to watch for Friday:
- Stay balanced
The Falcons operate out of a run-dominant Wing-T attack and have six ball-carriers with at least 165 rushing yards this season, including three with between 371 and 586 yards. However, an injury to Cole Shanholtz early in last week’s win at Class A No. 1 Wahama could leave FHS with less depth than usual in their backfield.
Braydn Tyler continues to serve as a focal point for Frankfort and leads the team with 586 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while quarterback Austin Twigg had a 62-yard TD run against the White Falcons.
The Falcons prefer to keep their passing attempts to a minimum, but spreading the wealth among ball-carriers is critical to their success on the ground.
On the flip side, Independence has a standout quarterback in Brock Green, a tailback in Paxton Myers who’s heavily involved in the rushing attack and as a pass-catcher, and a pair of reliable wideouts in KJ Viars and Carson Treadway. The more Green can spread the wealth, the tougher it becomes for the Falcons to key in on stopping one thing.
- Special teams
Field position figures to be important, particularly in the Patriots’ quest to slow down an opponent that’s yet to score fewer than 31 points in a game this season.
Independence needs to do its part to ensure the Falcons earn everything they get in this matchup, meaning they can’t allow the home team to win the field position battle.
With the weapons the Patriots possess, Frankfort would also benefit greatly from not having Green and company start with a short field.
- Physicality
Veteran Frankfort coach Kevin Whiteman has long preached that his team needs to win the battle up front to be successful and that should be no different against IHS.
In five matchups against in-state competition, the Patriots have allowed only 56 points and have a pair of shutouts to boot.
Independence also has the luxury of added rest and preparation for this matchup as it last played October 17. The Patriots will need to hold up at the point of attack if they are to have a chance at a marquee road victory.