BEING IN TOP EIGHT DOESN'T ALWAYS EARN TEAM HOME DATE

Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 10/24/1997
Page: P4B
Headline: BEING IN TOP EIGHT DOESN'T ALWAYS EARN TEAM HOME DATE
Byline: BUTCH COOPER

All football teams know there's no place like home, so Nitro is
looking for a last-minute reprieve.

Nitro (6-1), ranked No. 5 in Class AAA, could finish in the top eight
in the playoff ratings, but Underwood Field presently isn't an
approved site to hold a postseason game.

Last year, the bleachers at Nitro's home field were in serious need of
repair. However, athletic director Pat Vance is hoping some recent
renovations at Underwood will prompt a last-minute change by the
Secondary School Activities Commission.

"We've repaired the seats,' Vance said. "We would like to host [a
playoff game] here if at all possible. At Laidley, if not.'

Another possibility for the Wildcats is Crawford Field in St. Albans
because of its close proximity to Nitro.

If a team is ranked in the top eight of its class at season's end and
plays at an SSAC-approved site, it can stage a first-round game there
on the weekend of Nov. 14-15.

If its home field is not approved, then the closest such available
site would be used.