Winfield taking on giant-killer role again

Winfield taking on giant-killer role again


Winfield coach Bruce McGrew knows a thing or two about facing undefeated teams in the playoffs.

In 2000, the Generals knocked off undefeated Clay County 17-14 on a field goal in overtime in the Class AA opening round.

Winfield (5-5), the No. 15th seed, will be taking aim at another unblemished squad at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it faces No. 2 James Monroe (10-0) at Lindside in Monroe County.
- advertisement -

While the Generals have struggled down the stretch, McGrew said the playoffs have reinvigorated the team. Winfield has dropped its last three games by a combined 82-27.

“We think we’ve rebuilt some confidence,’’ said the ninth-year coach, whose team is one of four squads with a .500 record in the AA playoff field. “Any time you have a team going to the playoffs, there’s something in the air at the school, in the community, in the hallways.

“Our players are pretty excited to play now. There’s no doubt these kids wanted in. It’s time to take advantage of it now. We want to advance. We don’t just want to go down there and say we were a playoff team. We hope this breathe of fresh air is going to rejuvenate our play.’’

Winfield has proven its worth this season, facing six playoff teams.

“I think it definitely prepares you when you play a schedule like ours,’’ McGrew said. “You’re battle-tested even if you might not win all those. You’ve competed against the best in West Virginia.’’

The Generals will have their hands full trying to slow down the Mavericks’ single-wing rushing attack. James Monroe lines up four players in the backfield and uses several misdirections to disguise who is the real ball-carrier.

“We can’t get rattled,’’ said McGrew. “They try to get you watching one thing, then all of a sudden the ball goes somewhere else.
“If you don’t attack, you’re going to get lost in the shuffle. We’ve got the scheme, it’s just up to the players to execute it. No one has really shut them down. It’s a big task. At the same time, we’ve got confidence.’’

Lucas Robinson leads Winfield’s ground game with 678 yards on 150 carries and 11 touchdowns. Wayne Pritt (204) and Lee Hazlett (171) can also help carry the rushing load and quarterback Jon Smoot has added five scoring runs.

Smoot is also a capable passer, completing 79-of-143 passes for 965 yards with six TDs and 13 interceptions. His top targets are Pritt, who has 35 catches for 481 yards and five scores, and Robinson, who has hauled in 23 passes for 230 yards.
- advertisement -

“I think they’re better than their record shows,’’ fourth-year James Monroe coach David Witt said of the Generals. “They’ve played a tough schedule. We’ve got our work cut out for us. They’ve definitely got capable threats on offense [and] that always makes you a threat to stay in ballgames.’’

James Monroe sports a 1,000-yard rusher and another on the brink. Senior tailback Andrew Robertson, a first-team all-state selection after last year, has churned out 1,020 yards and 14 TDs while junior quarterback Jason Jackson has added 939 yards and 14 scores. Jackson has also thrown for just a shade under 300 yards and five more TDs.

Witt said Winfield’s defense poses unique challenges.

“They play a little bit of an unusual defense that you don’t run across every week,’’ he said. “Their defensive scheme is kind of similar to the one they run at WVU. It gives you a lot of flexibility to move people around and run a lot of different looks for your defense. They’ve got decent size in their line and they have some good athletes there, too.’’

Witt credits his defense for the team’s success this season by taking pressure off a rebuilt offensive line that featured three juniors and three sophomores.

TheMavericks have allowed 92 points in their 10 games behind the leadership of senior defensive end and leading tackler Ben Preston, a three-year starter.

“We knew coming into the season we were going to have a bunch of young guys,’’ Witt said. “We had to replace our entire offensive line and knew that our defense would have to carry us until we got some games under our belts. They were able to do it. When we got to the tougher games on our schedule late in the season, they helped carry us through those, too.’’