Playoff Spot On Line for Monarchs
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MOUNDSVILLE -- As John Marshall goes into its final regular season game of the 2020 season against Washington, it certainly is going to have a playoff feeling to it. The Monarchs, are ranked 17th in the Class AAA SSAC ratings that came out Tuesday, while Washington is ranked 15th. And the scenario should be simple for both teams: win and you're likely in the playoffs. Lose and get ready for basketball season. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Monarch Stadium.
"It's a playoff situation. That's what we've been telling them all week," John Marshall coach Jason Willis said. "It's a good opportunity. We get the win we're likely in and if we lose, we're most likely out. That's the way we've been preparing all week."
John Marshall started the 2020 campaign strong and raced out to a 4-1 record as the offense was flying high averaging 46.8 points per game. The back half of the season, though, hasn't been too fond of the Monarchs as they dropped three of their last four games.
Their lone win in that span came against Brooke and the Monarchs are currently on a two-game skid. Their most recent outing, was a 53-21 setback to Class AA power Keyser last Friday.
"I thought our kids played hard and physical. We just got to try and put it together and see what happens here," Willis said.
Washington (5-4), has secured wins over Berkeley Springs (40-6), Hedgesville (49-0), Frankfort (20-19), Preston (35-8) and Hampshire (42-7). It was set to face off against Musselman on Friday, but since both Jefferson and Marshall County were both in the gold on the COVID map, the match up was set. The Monarchs were scheduled to take on arch-rival Wheeling Park.
"Kids get get excited for that game at the end of the year," Willis said about the Park game. "But with the crazy way the things have been this season, you just go with the flow. One, you're lucky if you get to play and two, you don't know who you're going to play week in and week out. We're just happy we're playing a game and see what happens."
Frankie Amore leads the ground attack for the Patriots. The senior QB has collected 1331 yards on 156 attempts and 18 touchdowns. Bryson Fleming (569 yards and six touchdowns) and Thomas Wogan (414, 10) are also threats in the backfield.
On defense, Austin Sharp has gathered 62 tackles (49 solo) five tackles for a loss.
Dalton Flowers, who cracked 1,000 rushing yards on the season, was held to 33 yards against Keyser. Alex Burton, who is equally as dynamic in the backfield, paced the charged for the Monarchs last week with 77 yards on the ground.
"We just got to try and control the line of scrimmage, slow them down, don't give up the big play on defense, try to get sustain some drives and get some scores on offense," Willis said.