One win from 10-0

Smile for the cameras...James Monroe's Heath Mullins scores a touchdown in last week's 17-14 win over Bluefield at Mitchell Stadium. The Mavericks will attempt to complete a 10-0 regular season tonight at Greenbrier East. (Staff photo by John Nelson)

LINDSIDE - Don't worry about No. 2 James Monroe having a letdown after last week's emotional win over Bluefield. Third-year coach David Witt certainly isn't.

“Greenbrier East is a big rival for us,” Witt said, of James Monroe's opponent in Friday's season finale.

“Due to that fact, I don't think it's a problem to get focused for them. I don't think there will be a problem with a hangover from last Friday's game.”

The Mavericks (9-0) are looking to wrap their season on a winning note this weekend when they travel to Greenbrier East (1-8), a Class AAA team that has lost six straight games.

But James Monroe certainly isn't looking past the struggling Spartans, even with the Class AA playoffs looming. Witt knows that East would love nothing more than to spoil JMHS' perfect season.

“Plus they're triple-A and we're double-A, so they don't want to get beat by a double-A school no matter what you're ranked,” Witt said. “They're going to probably play their best game of the year against us - that's what we expect.”

The Spartans' offense is keyed by quarterback Dominque Daniels, a versatile passer and runner. Tommy Mutter and Bryan Calhoun pace the ground attack, while Calhoun and Derrick Counts pull in the majority of the passes.

“They've definitely got some people that can give us problems,” Witt said. “We're got to be at our very best when we play them.”

The Mavericks will counter with a tough defense which has kept the offense within striking distance, the Monroe coach said.

“Defense has kind of been the anchor of our football team this year,” Witt said. “That's why we're at where we're at, I feel like. I think we're getting better every week.”

On offense, James Monroe is led by all-state senior Andrew Robertson, who is approaching the 1,000-yard mark on the year. He combined with teammate Jason Jackson for 264 yards in the 17-14 win over Bluefield.

Jackson scored a touchdown and tossed to Heath Mullins for another in the win. Dalton Pritt provided the final margin with a 30-yard field goal.

“It really was a fantastic ballgame,” Witt said. “It was the type of game that's fun to participate in, it was fun for everybody in the stands watching it, and Š it was one of those games with a playoff atmosphere (and) a lot of importance on the outcome.”

Witt added, “Those are the ones you work hard for and look forward to playing in.”

A win against Greenbrier East this week not only secures a perfect season for Monroe, but it also solidifies their spot in the final WVSSAC ratings.

“(A victory) would probably leave us where we're at this week (ranked second),” Witt said. “That assures you home playoff games as long as you're fortunate enough to keep winning.

“You're always better off playing at home rather than traveling all over the place to play these games.”