photo by: Nick Henthorn

Wheeling Park’s Brennan Wack rushes upfield during the Patriots’ regular season finale against John Marshall. Wack and Wheeling Park hosts Woodrow Wilson in the first round of the playoffs Friday at 7 p.m.

WHEELING — Wheeling Park’s first-round playoff game Friday will have another ‘first’ in it– their first matchup against Woodrow Wilson in school history.

No. 6 Wheeling Park (6-4) is set to meet No. 11 Woodrow Wilson (5-5) on Friday inside Wheeling Island Stadium for the first meeting pitting Patriots vs. Flying Eagles.

Atypical matchups are an interesting angle of high school playoffs across sports– making for a new challenge that Park is relishing.

“I’ve been here 34 years, 35 years, I cannot remember us playing Beckley at any time,” Wheeling Park head coach Chris Daugherty said. “Basketball? Many, many, many times; but in football we’ve never really matched up, regular season or in the playoffs. I couldn’t say for sure, but I think if it’s not the first, there haven’t been very many matchups. So it’s kind of nice to play someone different, actually.”

The Flying Eagles have a talented runner in their backfield in sophomore Gage Burdette. Burdette has multiple 200+ yard rushing outings this season, and Woodrow Wilson has four players this season who have rushed for 100+ yards in a game.

“They’re a really good football team,” Daugherty said. “They’re probably one of the better 5-5 teams I’ve seen. I’m sure they’re saying, Park’s one of the best 6-4 teams they’ve ever seen. So, you know, hey have a tough schedule, we both have. A lot of their losses could have went the other way.

“They’re big up front, big and physical. They’ve got some athletes out wide. They’re going to run the football at you, but they’re going to do some drastic changes. They’re going to fill up the box, they’re going to put linemen in tight ends in the game, and they’re going to run the ball at you. Then the next play they might spread you out and go empty. So you’ve got to be ready defensively to cover both of those things. They’re going to try to run the ball, but if you worry too much about the run, then you’re going to get burnt with the pass. They do just enough of that.

“I think it’s going to be really important that we win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. It could be a long night if you don’t. It’s a very good football team in round one that we’re matched up with, and I think it’ll be a good contest.”

It’s no secret that Wheeling Park has their own star running back in their backfield, as senior Brennan Wack is close to setting Park’s career rushing record, less than 150 yards away from cracking the record. Wack already set his school’s career touchdown record in the Patriots’ regular season finale against John Marshall, reaching 51 in his tenure.

Wack has 1,611 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the season despite missing two games.

An ascending part of Park’s offense though, has been their passing attack. Junior quarterback Jay Bordas threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns against John Marshall. Daugherty spoke on the improvement of his team’s aerial offense which he has seen throughout the year.

“For whatever reason, it took us a minute to catch our footing in the passing game,” Daugherty said. “But in the second half of the season, it’s really come on. That comes from everybody– the wide receivers, and tight ends, and Jay, all just getting used to each and us as an offense figuring out what’s best and what’s the best personnel, what’s the best way to line up, you know, and being able to run and pass. That was a process, but I think as the season went on, it’s grown and we’re able to do both now.

“If you give us a pass, we’re going to take it. If you give us a run, we’re going to take it. And, you know, most teams are lining up to stop Brennan Wack when he’s healthy and he’s in the backfield. So it kind of lends itself to giving us an opportunity in the air.”

The winner of Park and Woodrow Wilson’s matchup will meet the victor of No. 3 Martinsburg vs. No. 14 Parkersburg South in the state quarterfinals.

Kickoff Friday is set for 7 p.m. inside Wheeling Island Stadium.