Prep football playoffs: Wildcats focused on first round playoff game
· Yahoo Sports
Meadow Bridge fell just eight points shy of a perfect regular season, which would have been the program’s first in 16 years.
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But for any of those would-be Chicken Littles out there who think the sky is falling, Brandon Wickline has a reminder.
“I told the kids that the 1988 state championship team was 9-1 at the end of the regular season,” the Wildcats head coach said. “So just because we lose one, it isn’t the end of the world.”
The words of wisdom came after the Wildcats’ 13-6 loss Craig County, Va., last week to end the regular season. It’s not that Wickline is predicting the same for his team. He just wants to make sure they know their goals are still in front of them.
Even with the loss, the Wildcats stayed in the top eight of the Class A ratings, right on the edge at No. 8. That means they get to stay home for the first round of the state playoffs, which start this weekend.
And the opponent won’t have to travel far, either.
Meadow Bridge will host No. 9 Greenbrier West Friday at 7 p.m. at what is forecasted to be a frigid Frank Arritt Stadium.
The Cavaliers will make the 16-mile trip from Charmco in an anticipated battle that hasn’t been fought since 2022.
Wickline is making sure his players stay focused on the true task.
“We talked about it today. We don’t look at it that it’s West coming in,” Wickline said. “It’s a playoff game and we’re going to be just as excited. It didn’t matter who came in. We get to host, and that’s our focus. West is the team we’re playing, but that’s not why we’re excited.”
The Wildcats have earned the right to be excited. They are making their third straight playoff appearance and second in as many seasons with Wickline as head coach.
“The kids are excited,” said Wickline, who is 16-5 in his two seasons. “They worked hard for it.”
Bow Wykle and Trent Roles have been leaders all season long. Wykle goes into the playoff game with 1,436 yards and 26 touchdowns on 155 carries, while Roles has 44 rushes for 412 yards and four scores.
But it’s not just a two-man show.
“They’re the ones who get all the attention, but our quarterback, Lane Bevins is just a freshman. He’s really stepped up,” Wickline said. “John John (Akers) in the backfield, he’s had a great year for us offensively and defensively. And Elijah Rowe on defense. I think the kid’s got six interceptions this year.”
Bevins has completed 27 of 57 passes for 404 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions.
The offensive line, of course, is always a big part of what the Wildcats do. The likes of Kaiden Toney, Waylon Rhodes, Jackson Adkins, Cameron Gipson and Dale Gray have led the way up front.
“Going into this year, we kind of didn’t know what to expect, and I think they’ve exceeded expectations,” Wickline said. “We’re not big by any stretch, but we’re athletic and we’re a lot stronger. They’ve just played well.”
Wykle, for all his accolades in taking over the featured back position, has also been impressive on defense.
“His offensive stats is what’s getting the attention, but in my opinion, I feel like he’s the best linebacker in Class A football, and he’s probably one of the best in the state, regardless of age,” Wickline said. “He reads the field so good, and when he goes, he’s coming with really bad intentions.”
Friday’s winner will meet the winner between No. 1 Tug Valley and No. 16 Tolsia in the quarterfinals.