Charleston Gazette

October 08, 2007

Reversal of fortune for Nitro, SA

· Prep football notebook

By Rick Ryan
Assistant Sports Editor

Everything can change in 48 minutes in the Mountain State Athletic Conference.

Going into Friday’s Battle of the Bridge between neighboring rivals St. Albans and Nitro, fortune had shined on the Red Dragons — the Kanawha Valley’s only unbeaten team and one that had risen to No. 2 in the Class AAA ratings — while fate was fickle for the Wildcats, who were outside the top 16 in the playoff chase and waging a fight to get back in.

Then they traded places following Nitro’s impressive 58-14 victory in its home opener at refurbished Underwood Field.

The Wildcats (4-2), ranked No. 17 last week, are sure to move into the top 16, since three teams ranked from No. 5 to 15 lost (Brooke, Riverside, Nicholas County) and two others were idle (East Fairmont, Wheeling Park).

St. Albans (6-1), however, must not only recover from Friday’s one-sided setback, but must do so with a injury to its key player, workhorse tailback Marcus Fox, who hurt his knee midway into the second quarter and didn’t return (see Names in the Games).

Fox has gained over 1,300 yards rushing and scored 19 touchdowns this season.

Nitro, in addition, gets a welcome boost of confidence after tackling one of the MSAC’s heavyweight teams. The Wildcats had lost to the two other top-10 opponents they’d met — George Washington and Capital.

“Absolutely,’’ said Nitro coach Scott Tinsley of the pick-me-up in morale. “Again, last week [a 42-36 loss to Capital] gave us that confidence. Even though we lost, we knew we could play with a very talented team, and that gave us confidence [against St. Albans]. Hopefully, that carries on the rest of the year.’’

The Wildcats’ wins prior to Friday had come against AA Poca and MSAC members Spring Valley and Lincoln County, who hold a combined 2-11 record.

St. Albans gets a bit of a break from its schedule, as the next two games come against winless Huntington and Lincoln County.

But for now, the Red Dragons have enough on their agenda — a hobbled Fox and a defense that was ravaged for 554 yards by Nitro, including 383 through the air.

Marcos Valentine caught four TD passes from Michael Scott and landed 10 receptions for 261 yards. Several times the 6-foot-2 senior receiver was closely guarded, but simply outjumped smaller defenders.

“That kid made some phenomenal catches,’’ said SA coach Derek Christian. “We were there, too. There’s nothing you can do about that.

“But I think we’re a senior bunch, and they know one game doesn’t make a season. We’re going to work on some things and come back. Like I said to them [after the game], we got a little too big for our britches there and we got humbled tonight.’’

To contact assistant sports editor Rick Ryan, use e-mail or call 348-5175.