Published: November 05, 2009 11:43 pm      

Football returns to Nicholas County

It’s not such a vexing riddle.

If Nicholas County beats winless Preston tonight in Summersville, it will mark the first time that both of the county’s high schools — Richwood is the other — will host playoff games.

Simple, because Nicholas has never hosted a football playoff game.

“We know we have to win (tonight) to do that,” Nicholas County coach Gene Morris said. “That was one of our goals, to not just make the (Class AAA) playoffs but to host a game. That’s something we’re taking very seriously and taking a lot of pride in. The kids know that they control that.”

As for Richwood, the Lumberjacks have a chance to do something that hasn’t been done in 56 years: Finish the season undefeated.

If the Lumberjacks beat Gilmer County (3-6) tonight at Richwood, they will do just that. And assure themselves of no worse than the No. 3 spot in the final Class A ratings.

“You don’t get many chances in life to go undefeated,” Richwood coach Jason Rogers said. “It’s been a long time here. That was the 1953 season and my dad was born in 1954.”

Combined, the two schools are 17-1.

Nicholas County lost to Lewis County 28-21 Sept. 25 but has since rolled off four straight wins.

The Grizzlies suffered a setback in their 63-31 win over North Marion two weeks ago when starting QB Zach Mayes was lost for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Morris inserted Jordan Ramsey into the game and all he did was lead five touchdown drives in the second half.

“He was a JV quarterback when he was a younger player and he’d been in a conservative role at quarterback in four other games this year,” Morris said. “So he’s taken some snaps. He’s comfortable being the quarterback.

“Knowing Jordan Ramsey, he’s a very competitive player with a controlled type attitude. He doesn’t get too high or too low. Like most good players, he is his own worst critic. But the team really rallied around him and that was good to see.”

Richwood doesn’t have any personnel concerns.

In fact, the team seems to have gotten its fire back after a couple of weeks of lethargic play.

Rogers said he never suspected a perfect season from his team.

“When we had our first coaches meeting, we were saying we’d be happy to be 3-2 coming out of the first five,” Rogers said. “These kids have exceeded expectations.”

And it has transformed the community.

“I looked up into the stands before our game with Summers County last week and there wasn’t a seat anywhere,” Rogers said. “People were standing around the fence. I saw people I haven’t seen in years.

“Just hosting one playoff game is great for the community. This town has been looking for a football team and these boys have provided that for them.”

n Woodrow Wilson has a chance to play spoiler tonight when the Flying Eagles (2-6) travel to Princeton (5-4). Princeton has a shot at making the Class AAA field with a win and some help.

n Valley (6-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Williamson tonight in Montgomery. The Greyhounds have never won a playoff game since Valley opened in 1977.

n Liberty (6-3), which has clinched a spot in the Class AA playoff field, plays at one-win Wyoming East (1-8).

n Oak Hill and Midland Trail have one last shot to win for the first time this year. Oak Hill (0-9) stands a better chance, hosting one-win Mount View. The Knights have been shut out in four of nine games, including their last three. Midland Trail is at PikeView, a Class AA playoff hopeful.