The football playoffs are kicking off on Friday night and West Greene will be well studied for its trip to trip to Eagleton for the first round of the Class 2A bracket.
The Buffaloes and Royals were originally scheduled to meet on September 18, but lightning around Mosheim ended the night before it got started. Now the stakes are higher as both teams take the field hoping to earn one more week on the gridiron.
“It’s a little weird because this is a team we prepared for earlier in the year,” West Greene coach Caleb Slover said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get to play that game when a big lighting storm came through. We get that opportunity now, and its going to be a big challenge. We know they are a quality program who made a deep playoff run last year. But I’m excited for it.”
Eagleton comes into the matchup with a 6-3 record and as the No.2 seed from Region 2-2A. The Royals, located in Maryville, are in their fourth year of varsity football and last year they advanced to the to the state semifinals before falling to state runner up Marion County. West Greene is 1-8 on the year and the No.3 seed from Region 1-2A.
Eagleton leads the all-time series between the two programs 3-0. Last year the royals won 47-15 in the regular season meeting.
Through much of the season the passing game has led the way for the Royals who are scoring 29 points per game. Mason Mitchell has thrown for 1,9657 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he also has 13 interceptions and a 53.8 completion percentage. Receiver Noel Meza-Flores is the top target on the year with 781 yards and 13 touchdowns.
In recent weeks the Royals’ run game has become more active and against South Greene on October 23 Kingston Burns-Jenkins ran for three touchdowns while catching another.
“They have some dynamic playmakers,” Slover said. “They have leaned on their run game a little more the last two games, and I think the running back has six touchdowns in the last two games. Then they still have huge targets on the outside. We have to get lined up on defense and play sound football.”
Despite losing 26-24 to Cumberland Gap last week the Buffaloes saw some positives they can build on heading into the postseason. Quarterback Aiden Thompson may have had the best night of his career with 144 passing yards, 88 rushing yards, and four combined touchdowns. He hit Jagger Dearinger for two scores and Tristan Banks for another.
A win on Friday would give West Greene its first postseason win since 2012. The winner of Friday’s game will advance to play the winner of Gordonsville and Grundy County in the second round.
Kickoff for Friday is set for 7 PM at Eagleton. The game will be live on the airwaves on WSMG 95.5 FM.
