November 09, 2007

SA, Nitro hope to take first playoff step tonight

By Rick Ryan, Assistant Sports Editor, Charleston Gazette

Nitro at Robert C. Byrd (AAA) — The No. 13 Wildcats (6-4) own a pair of lopsided wins against top-10 teams, 58-14 against St. Albans and 48-13 at Hurricane. But they also lost a pair of games at Laidley Field — a 42-36 shootout with Capital and 35-14 to George Washington.

The fourth-seeded Eagles (10-0) are the state’s only unbeaten AAA team. They’re 2-0 against playoff teams, with wins against Bridgeport (20-16) and Nicholas County (21-14).

The game features Nitro’s high-powered offense, which has seven times hit at least 47 points, against RCB’s denying defense. The Eagles have allowed just 12 total points in the last four games.

St. Albans hopes it’s stumbled into a trend.

Two years ago, the Red Dragons made their first playoff appearance in eight seasons, losing in the Class AAA opening round to Morgantown — the eventual state champion.

Last year, SA again reached the postseason and this time advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Parkersburg — which went on to capture the title.

If that’s any indicator, good things await the fifth-seeded Dragons (9-1) this time around, but they must take the first step tonight against visiting Brooke (7-3), the No. 12 seed. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Crawford Field.

The Bruins ended a long playoff drought themselves a year ago, earning their first postseason bid since 1992. It was a short-lived stay, however, as they fell 49-7 at Martinsburg in the opening round.

Some points figure to be scored in this one, as both the Dragons and Bruins have given up 20 or more points six times in 10 games.

Brooke went 2-2 in four regular-season games against playoff teams and St. Albans 1-1.

Brooke-St. Albans by the numbers

Rushing:

Brooke: Scott Victorio 167 carries, 1,131 yards, 11 touchdowns; Joey Cassella 107-552-3

St. Albans: Marcus Guy 104-731-8, Gabe King 114-610-10

Passing:

Brooke: Josh Frankos 35-63, 4 interceptions, 449 yards, 3 TDs; Victorio 20-28-1-301, 4 TDs

St. Albans: T.J. Feazelle 55-97-5-737, 3 TDs

Receiving:

Brooke: Jimmy McFarland 16-288-2, Bryan Spruill 16-228-4, Cassella 15-184-1

St. Albans: Chaz Roy 18-275-2, Derek Bodie 14-172-0, Zach Hodges 11-114-0