Central Gets Unexpected Home Playoff Game
Maroon Knights host Gilmer County Saturday
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WHEELING -- The Wheeling Central football team wasn't expecting another home playoff game this week but that's why the postseason is unpredictable.
No. 1 Cameron would be hosting the Maroon Knights this week but it was upset by No. 16 Gilmer County in Round One, which allows Central the chance to host the Titans at Wheeling Island Stadium on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Round Two of the West Virginia Playoffs.
"We feel very good about getting a home game now," Central coach Mike Young said. "We like that fans will be out in support of us and it should be a great high school football game. It's the home of the Super Six so for us to have the opportunity to go there and play and show our value -- it's an opportunity for our kids to continue to send a message across the state."
The eighth-seeded Knights had no problem handling No. 9 Moorefield 35-7 last Saturday as their defense held the Yellowjackets to 60 yards rushing on 34 carries, along with forcing three turnovers.
Jayvon Miller, Riley Watkins and John Nickerson all turned in interceptions for the Knights' defense, while Watkins and Andrew Johnson each got to the quarterback.
On offense, Payton Hildebrand filled in for injured Michael Toepfer by going 4-for-11 for 94 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Lorenzo Ferrera also made an impact lining up in the Wildcat formation and running for 94 yards and a TD.
Even special teams was strong in the win as a blocked punt was scooped up by Braxton Anderson for a score.
"Special teams were huge in our victory last week," Young said. "We kept them in a hole with kicking off because of field position. When your back is to the wall like that it is to the defense's advantage if you can take away the long run or the long pass. We were able to sustain drives that ate up the clock, too. Our offensive attack was as good as our defensive attack. We had all three facets of the game going and we'll have to bring that same thing this week."
The next task for the Knights will be Gilmer QB Ean Hamrick who torched top-ranked Cameron for 218 yards on 14 of 27 passing, with 111 of those yards going to top receiver Avery Chapman.
"(Hamrick) is definitely the key to their offense," Young said. "If we can contain him and keep him in the pocket, then we can take away one of the things they do well. He scrambles really well so we have to wrap him up and contain the quarterback. Chapman is a pretty good receiver, too. He is somewhat their go-to guy but I like our matchup with them in terms of our defense against their offense and I like our offensive scheme going in against their defensive scheme."