PREP FOOTBALL THE ONES TO WATCH SCOTT-JAMES MONROE, HURRICANE-NITRO AMONG STATE'S MUST-SEE GAMES

Publication: THE SUNDAY GAZETTE-MAIL
Published: 07/01/2007
Page: 1D
Headline: PREP FOOTBALL THE ONES TO WATCH SCOTT-JAMES MONROE, HURRICANE-NITRO AMONG STATE'S MUST-SEE GAMES
Byline: TOMMY R. ATKINSON

tatkinson@wvgazette.com

Scott football coach Shane Griffith feels like his program has finally arrived.

The Skyhawks have strung together five straight winning seasons and have qualified for the Class AA playoffs the last four. And last year, Scott was a hot topic of discussion among coaches, fans and sports writers across the state.

One-loss Scott and unbeaten James Monroe jockeyed back and forth most of the regular season for the top spot in the SSAC playoff ratings and many, including Griffith, wondered what would have been the outcome of a matchup of the two powerhouses.

No one got a chance to see that scenario play out because the two teams didn't meet up last year.

"It was definitely a matchup throughout the season I looked at with curiosity," said Griffith. "I just thought to see those two run offenses go at each other and how each defense would address it."

Griffith will find out in a couple of months when Scott visits James Monroe on Sept. 21 in one of several marquee games that highlight the upcoming high school football season.

"We're thrilled our program has evolved to the point where it's a big-game matchup," Griffith said. "I just think it's another step."

Griffith said he replaced Man on the schedule with James Monroe despite the fact the Hillbillies are a traditional rival and a good draw at the gate.

"Not may coaches try to go out and find an undefeated team," Griffith said of adding James Monroe. "It gives our program an opportunity to define itself. We feel it provides us an opportunity to justify our place. We feel we've worked really hard to get to this point."

Griffith also sees a game with James Monroe as another opportunity to prepare for the playoffs. Both teams employ seldom-seen offenses these days - Scott runs an I-formation while James Monroe uses a single-wing attack.

"I think it'll be a fun game," said Griffith. "James Monroe runs a style of offense that's not very common. We try to do everything with the mindset of preparing for the playoffs. We want our schedule to have a variety of schemes because by the time the playoffs roll around, we want our kids to be prepared to face anything."

Scott returns running back Jordan Roberts, who racked up 2,258 yards and 32 TDs in earning first-team all-state honors. For James Monroe, Chris Spangler and Zach Mann were first-team all-state defensive selections.

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Hurricane coach Willis May has seen his share of down-to-the-wire games against Nitro.

"You never know what you're going to get out of that game," said May, who has been on the Hurricane staff for 14 years. "That's not a game where I'd leave after the first half.

"I remember one game they were up 28-0 at halftime and we ended up coming back and winning the game. It usually comes down to the very end, but it's fun. That's what Friday night's all about. The excitement, you've got both stands full [and] you don't have a clue what's going to happen."

This year's installment should be no different when Nitro plays at Hurricane Oct. 20 with both teams coming off Class AAA playoff appearances. Last season the Wildcats held on for a 7-3 victory in a defensive struggle.

Nitro returns a potent offense in quarterback Michael Scott, who threw for 2,928 yards and 25 touchdowns, and receiver Marcos Valentine, who had 71 receptions for 1,168 yards and nine TDs.

Redskins quarterback Justin Henry, who passed for 1,588 yards and 12 scores, and speedy tailbacks Brad Anania (475 yards, four TDs) and Terrell Martin (282 yards, three TDs) are back. Martin also had 395 yards on 21 catches and four more scores.

"Sometimes you say you play to the level of your competition and you know Nitro is always going to be good," May said. "We get up for them [and] they get up for us. It's a good test of what kind of football team you have."

Here's a quick glance at some of the other top matchups around the state this season:

Class AAA

s Aug. 23 - George Washington vs. Capital at Laidley Field: The season opener for both teams should be a nail-biter since the last four games have been decided by a combined 24 points. The Patriots won last year 12-7 and 9-0 in 2003 while Capital has taken victories of 7-0 ('05) and 10-7 ('04). The two teams also finished tied for No. 17 with identical 5-5 records last year, one spot from the playoffs.

s Aug. 24 - Morgantown at Martinsburg: Another season opener that could go a long way in defining the Class AAA playoff picture. These two perennial title contenders didn't meet up last year, but each fell to eventual state champion Parkersburg - Martinsburg in the state finals and Morgantown in the Class AAA semis.

s Sept. 7 - South Charleston at Parkersburg: This will be a good matchup of the Black Eagles' speed vs. the Big Reds' strength. SC was held under 20 points only twice last season while Parkersburg yielded just 90 points all year. SC returns flash Deion Spurlock, who tallied 17 TDs rushing, receiving and returning kicks, and top receiver Aaron Dobson. For Parkersburg, tailback Matt Lindamood (1,551 yards, 26 TDs) and Josh Jenkins, last year's Hunt Award winner as the top lineman, are back. The two squads didn't play last year.

s Sept. 21 - Hurricane at St. Albans: The Redskins took a 38-16 decision last time around. The Red Dragons return quarterback T.J. Feazelle, No. 2 tailback Marcus Fox, top wideout Zach Hodges and five of six starters on the offensive line.

s Sept. 28 - Bridgeport at Robert C. Byrd: Bridgeport handed RCB its only regular-season loss last season, a close 14-7 decision. The Eagles and the Indians each qualified for the Class AAA playoffs, finishing fifth and eighth, respectively.