KINGWOOD, W.Va. — It’s hard to believe Friday’s game between three-win University and two-win Preston had major playoff implications in Class AAA, but whichever team won was alive and well in the conversation.
But unfortunately, whichever team lost took a major blow, and this time, it was the Hawks.
Coming in at No. 17 in the WVSSAC playoff ratings, UHS was on the verge of entering the top 16 (16 teams make the postseason), and a win over Preston likely would have put the Hawks in. With one game remaining against Morgantown in Week 10, it wasn’t a guarantee UHS would make it even with a win over Preston, but it would have likely controlled its on destiny.
Instead, the Hawks (3-6) suffered a 20-19 loss and will have near impossible odds to get into the playoffs, even if they beat the Mohigans in the Mohawk Bowl.
“Let’s face it — even if we would have won, we’re not a playoff team,” coach John Kelley said after the loss. “Morgantown is a big, strong and powerful team, and have found themselves here recently. Do I think we’re a little bit stale after this? Yeah, but we’ve been resilient all year. I hope we bounce back.”
On the other side, Preston (3-5) is feeling pretty good as it makes a late push toward the postseason. The win over the Hawks, the first in 26 years, nets the Knights nine points for beating a AAA team, and also earns them three bonus points since UHS has two wins over AAA teams.
Entering the week at No. 19 in the WVSSAC ratings, Preston will have to wait until Tuesday to see where it sits in the new rankings but could pass UHS. The other two teams between PHS and the top 16 were South Charleston and Ripley, and Ripley lost to Princeton. South Charleston did beat Hurricane, but Hurricane is also right there at No. 15, so that could benefit the Knights.
PHS faces Brooke (2-6) and Buckhannon-Upshur (1-7) to end the season, both winnable games.
“We knew 5-5 would definitely get us in, and 4-6 might,” coach Jonathan Tennant said. “We’re a win away from our first goal.”
MHS building toward next season
Gunner Latimore didn’t become Morgantown High’s starting quarterback until September, and even then it took some time for the junior to settle in.
“He’s a much different quarterback now,” MHS receiver Preston Fox said after the Mohigans’ 54-41 victory against John Marshall on Friday. “He’s much more confident in the pocket. He understands the offense better and he knows his wide receivers a lot more. He’s a good runner, but he’s become more patient as a passer.”
Even with a victory in next Friday’s Mohawk Bowl against University High, the Mohigans (2-7) will not make the state playoffs. That hasn’t kept MHS coach Matt Lacy from keeping the team motivated by trying to build some late momentum to carry into next season.
“If we can finish strong; what I told our guys is it can give us something to look forward to down the road,” Lacy said. “I think it’s important for us to play as well as we can and then we can see some positives for next season.”
Next season for the Mohigans may be centered around Latimore, who threw for 364 yards and two scores. He also added a 2-yard touchdown run on a sneak up the middle.
He completed 17 of 20 passes and was 8 of 9 in the first half. His two interceptions, Lacy said, weren’t his fault.
“On the first one, our kid ran a lazy route and the pass got jumped,” Lacy said. “On the second one, our kid ran the wrong route and Gunner threw it out of the break, which is what you’re supposed to do.”
Of the Mohigans’ 690 total rushing and receiving yards against the Monarchs, 572 of it came from seniors who will graduate, leaving the door wide open for Latimore and fellow junior running back Deondre Crudup, who added 114 yards rushing against John Marshall.
“Gunner is still learning. He even got banged up a little bit a few weeks ago and missed a game,” Lacy said. “He obviously has a great arm. Since he took over, he almost is too cautious with the ball sometimes. That’s something we’ve had to work on with him.
“We’ve put in a lot more passing plays over the last few weeks and it’s because he continues to grow and get better. He’s starting to become a more complete quarterback and he gives us another weapon to look forward to for next year.”
