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Wash High, McGuffey have much at stake in regular-season finale
Washington walked into training camp with a new head coach and bitter memories of the Prexies' worst season in four decades.
Now, after eight weeks of compelling games in the Class AA Interstate Conference, the varied paths taken by McGuffey and Washington have led to an intersection. The winner of tonight's game between these two bitter rivals could be hosting a home playoff game next Friday night.
"To be honest, that was a goal of ours at the beginning of the year. Our team wanted a home playoff game in Week 10," McGuffey coach Derek Bochna said. "Regardless if this is for the playoffs or not, it's Washington versus McGuffey. The rest just adds to the intensity."
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Washington (6-2), winner of five straight including last week's thrilling 20-18 victory over Charleroi, can clinch a home playoff game with a victory, a Jeannette win over Greensburg Central Catholic and a Mt. Pleasant victory at Charleroi. If the Prexies win and Jeannette loses, Washington finishes third.
Various scenarios can put Washington in fourth place or out of the postseason picture.
Got that?
The Prexies know all the scenarios but they're just worried about one thing.
"We're just looking at McGuffey. We can't worry about anything else," Prexies coach Mike Bosnic said. "The kids are aware of the situation but the focus is on McGuffey."
And how to stop the Highlanders' deceptive offense.
McGuffey averages 232.8 rushing yards per game, yet no running back has rushed for more than fullback Nick Shuman's 425 yards. Quarterback Derrick Whipkey and wingbacks Trenton Bedillion, Tyler Kerns and Logan McAnany help make McGuffey's wing-T offense a difficult one to decipher.
"They have more than one back who can beat you, and it's hard to tell where they'll line up," Bosnic said. "We have to be physical. Everybody has to do their job."
Offensively, that means finding some way to score points - something McGuffey doesn't let happen at home.
The Highlanders have four shutouts in four home games.
"I didn't even realize that was going on until the last game," Bochna said. "Our defensive play has been strong all year. They're athletic, quick kids and we play an attacking style."
Led by linebackers Shuman, McAnany and Tyler McAdoo, McGuffey swarms running backs and has allowed a measly 63 points - third lowest in Class AA. They'll be busy with a loaded Washington backfield.
Fullback Zach Barnes leads the Prexies with 680 yards on only 63 carries, a 10.8 per-carry average, but quarterback Marquis Brown and freshmen tailbacks Daron Whitaker and Jaylin Kelly each are capable of changing a game in one play.
And when Washington needs tough yards - like it did the past two weeks against Charleroi and Jeannette - those runners look for senior tight end Bryan Thomas as the lead blocker.
"Thomas is a tough matchup. He's a big, tall kid with tremendous speed and he gets on you so fast," Bochna said. "We know he's a tough kid and they will run behind him.
"This is going to be tight game. It's two teams who are similar. We both like to run the football and build off that. It's going to come down to who limits mistakes."
Other local teams in need of victories, and possibly some outside assistance, to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs are Canon-McMillan (AAAA), Trinity, Ringgold (AAA), Chartiers-Houston, Burgettstown, Carmichaels and California (A).
