The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

November 11, 2009

Westside to face familiar foe

By Jim Workman

Come playoff time, is playing an opponent for the second time in just over a month an advantage?

With 16 teams qualifying for the Class AA postseason from as far west as Wayne, as far north as Oak Glen and as far south as Bluefield, familiarity can become a factor.

Class AA No. 5-rated Westside (9-1) will host No. 12 PikeView (7-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The Renegades defeated PikeView 15-7 Oct. 9 in a regular-season meeting.

“I think it is an advantage,” Westside coach Darren Thomas said. “We know them and they know us. I think it really helps to see a team play in person. On film, you can see formations and that is a good foundation. But when you watch a team live, you can tell more about their size and speed.”

The previous matchup may not look anything like this week’s contest, however. Rainy weather hampered both teams, especially on offense.

“You could have called that first game the ‘Monsoon Bowl,’” Thomas said. “The rain came in buckets. It should be a lot better this week. The wet field really hurt our running game. And our passing game was a non-factor.

“PikeView has a real good football team,” Thomas added. “After the game, we realized some of the adjustments that we should have made. And I’m sure they did the same thing.”

Westside finished its season with a 43-6 victory over Iaeger on Oct. 30 and had a bye week last week.

Having an off week heading into the playoffs allowed players to receive a break from the physical pounding and the toll it takes on their bodies over 10 weeks.

Westside will benefit by allowing running back Nick Lambert to heal up. The senior is expected to be ready Friday after being hobbled with a sprained knee he suffered against Summers County on Oct. 23.

“When we have Nick and Travis (Whitten) in the backfield, we’re hard to handle,” Thomas said.

Lambert gained 700 yards in seven games, helping to relieve the load from the Kennedy Award candidate Whitten, who has 2,044 yards rushing in 10 games.

The one-two punch also takes pressure off the Renegades’ defense with an ability to run the ball and control the clock.

“Nick says that he feels good,” Thomas said. “He’s a big part of our defensive scheme, too.”

Momentum will be on Westside’s side. The Renegades are currently on a seven-game winning streak.

“We’re confident but not overconfident,” Thomas assured. “We’re really excited to play. We’re thrilled to be where we are. The kids are going to play hard.”

Barring an upset, Friday will be Westside’s only home playoff game. No. 13 Herbert Hoover (6-4) would have to travel and knock off No. 4 Frankfort (9-1) Saturday afternoon for the Renegades to get a second-round game against the Huskies.

“We were about one-tenth of a point from being No. 4 (and having two home games assured),” Thomas said. “We’d like to host two games — who wouldn’t? But if we have to make a trip, that’ll be fine. The community is excited. This will be the first home playoff game at Renegade Field. We played our playoff games in Beckley before.”

Having the Hoover-Frankfort game on Saturday would give Westside a chance to scout the teams as well.

If the Renegades’ coaching staff is willing to drive to Frankfort, that is.

“It’s a long trip, but we’ll be there (if Westside wins Friday),” Thomas said. “We’ll make plans for it. We don’t mind the travel as long as we’re winning.”

— Email: jworkman@

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