BLACKSVILLE — Clay-Battelle (6-2) might not need a win Oct. 27, but it sure wouldn’t hurt.
The Cee-Bees enter their penultimate contest against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-6) ranked 16th in the Class A football playoff ratings. Pocahontas County and Valley (Wetzel), one of the Cee-Bees’ losses, sit in 17th and 18th, respectively. A misstep by the Cee-Bees could mean falling from that coveted final playoff spot.
“We have to get every win we can get,” head coach Ryan Wilson said. “If we win the next two, we’ll get in. If not, we’ll need some help.”
The Cee-Bees are led by a vicious ground attack, with running back Travis Dille eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing mark on the season against Conotton Valley, from Ohio, last weekend. Dille tallied 167 yards and two touchdowns in the game, and looks to expand upon his landmark season this week.
However, Wilson doesn’t think a win will come easily. Despite its lackluster record, he insists Notre Dame is a dangerous squad with an explosive receiving corps and experienced quarterback.
“They put points on the board. Defensively, we have to contain them and prevent giving up the big play,” Wilson said. “We just have to guard the field.”
On the opposite side of the ball, Notre Dame has a strong defensive line that will bring a battle to the trenches.
“Offensively, we need no turnovers. I think we have to try to win the line of scrimmage,” Wilson said. “Our offensive line needs to do a good job with their blocking. It all starts there.”
According to Wilson, though, his offensive line is up to the challenge.
“Our offensive line has done a nice job this season, and I’m very proud of them,” Wilson said. “The O-line has done super.”
Overall, Wilson thinks his team has done a wonderful job in showing improvement each week, and he looks to continue the trend this weekend.
“We’ve kept improving every week, and we’re just doing a really good job.”
The game will kick off at 7 p.m., in Blacksville.
