Published: November 20, 2008 10:08 pm      

Beavers to face ‘Eers, elements

BLUEFIELD — It doesn’t sound like the ideal destination, not when the temperatures are expected to be in the 20s, and snow could be falling from the sky.

Yet, at 12:29 p.m. today, the Bluefield Beavers (7-4) will leave for Wayne County — just outside of Huntington — to meet the third-seeded Wayne Pioneers (10-1) in the Class AA state football quarterfinals. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

While the weather might be frightening, it will be the same on both sides of the field. Bring on the cold, snow, and whatever else Mother Nature can dish out, the No. 11 Beavers are ready to play.

“We’re not really worried about it, we practiced in it in the last three days so I guess we’re used to it,” Bluefield senior quarterback Will Cole said. “It will be kind of fun. It’s just like any other game, just go out there and play football. Once you start running around and get warmed up, you’re fine.”

In a meeting between the last two Class AA state champions — Bluefield last year and Wayne in ‘06 — Beavers’ head coach Fred Simon sees a lot of similarities between the clubs.

“We’re similar in a lot of ways, good speed, good quickness, not real big, and good quarterbacks, and a good hard-nosed defense,” Simon said. “I think these are definitely two good programs, a real good football coach, it’s going to be a good football game.”

These teams last met in 2004, with the Beavers routing the Tom Harmon-coached Pioneers 69-24 to claim the state title. All the players from that game are gone, but the memories remain.

“The coaches are still around and fans are still around so I’m sure that part is remembered, but you throw all that out as far I’m concerned,” Simon said. “It’s a new game and it’s what is going to happen Friday, not what might have happened in the past.”

Bluefield last traveled to Wayne in 2002, defeating the Pioneers 10-0 in the state semifinals. Field conditions could play a huge role in this game. There’s no fake turf in Wayne.

“I’ve noticed on film that in the last three home games it has rained, and in the playoff game last week, it rained hard so I’m sure the field has taken some damage,” Simon said. “There’s nothing they can do about that and both teams have to play on it.

“I prefer field turf, you had better believe it, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

The last time the Beavers traveled to Wayne County in ‘06, Bluefield was defeated by Tolsia in the state quarterfinals on a field more fit for a tractor pull than a football game. That was the only time since ‘02 that the Beavers didn’t reach the state championship game.

“I hope it’s not that bad,” Simon said. “At Tolsia there probably wasn’t any place decent, but hopefully at this place there will some places on the field that are decent.”

Bluefield enters having won seven of eight since starting 0-3, while the Pioneers’ lone loss came in a 22-21 setback against Point Pleasant. The Beavers expect a tussle tonight.

“They won state two years ago so they know what it takes to get there,” said Cole, whose sore right ankle will continue to keep him off defense, and he’ll only kick extra points in an emergency. “We’re playing a team that has a good tradition and they know what it takes to win a state championship so it is going to be a tough game.”

So is catching a football, even in normal conditions. Add bitter temperatures and a wet ball and it’s even harder. Still, that won’t keep the Beavers from putting the ball in the air. Cole has done that often this year, throwing for 2,717 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Marcus Patterson (60-939, 13 td), Cody Wassum (41-619, 7 td) and Levi Beckett (44-570, 4 td) have plucked the majority of Cole’s attempts.

“We’re just going to have to do it, that’s the only choice we have, that’s our offense,” Simon said. “We like to throw a lot, if you can catch it hot, you’re going to have to learn how to catch it cold.

“I think our players will give it everything they have and that’s all we can ask of them. Just give it everything you have and see what you can do.”

Bluefield has also shown the ability to run the ball as the season has progressed. That’s occurred behind Jake Lilly (765 yards, 10 td) and an improved offensive line that’s opened holes and given Cole time to throw.

“We can run the ball too, James Monroe kind of took that for granted and we did a good job when we had to,” said Simon, of the Beavers’ win over the Mavericks earlier this season. “I think we can run the ball if we need to, but when we’ve got receivers and a passer like we have then we’ve got to do that too.”

Wayne can also do a little of both. Three-year starter Joey Ferguson has thrown for 838 yards and nine scores. His favorite targets are Scottie Fry (20-294, 7 td) and Dustin Shreve (18-247, 2 td), while Joey Damron has run for 1,202 yards and 14 scores.

“They do a heck of a job with their mis-direction traps, they have nice play-action and the quarterback can straight drop back and throw too,” Simon said. “We’ve got to defend the run and the pass this year where in the past it may have been more run.”

“(Ferguson) can move well, throws well, good play-action. I’m impressed with him, he does a good job.”

Bluefield’s defense is led by Lilly, who has paced the Beavers in tackles for three straight seasons. The defense will be tested tonight against the Pioneers, which average nearly 38 points per game.

“(Their offensive line) is good-sized, they’re similar to us, they’re a little bit bigger than we are, they’re quick, but all the running backs have quick feet, they can maneuver and they can cut,” Simon said. “If that field is a little bit sloppy then that is a disadvantage to both teams.

“They run the ball a little more so that might be an advantage, but once you get to the playoffs, I don’t think any one team has an edge. It’s just basically that both teams have to get out there and play.”

Defensively, the Pioneers are paced by Shreve, who has 89 tackles, while Josh Meddings has five interceptions. Ferguson also has two defensive touchdowns off turnovers, something the Beavers want to avoid tonight.

“We can’t turn the ball over,” Cole said. “In weather like this it might be raining or snowing and the ball might be wet so we can’t turn the ball over.

“We’ve also got to play hard tough defense like we have been doing for the most part during the season.”

While Simon is 171-96 in 22 seasons at Bluefield, Harmon is 112-33 in 12 campaigns at Wayne. This game definitely features two of the state’s better programs.

“I can’t remember them losing more than one game a year,” Simon said. “They’re usually undefeated or maybe one loss, and in a rare year, they might have two losses.

“They usually have a heck of a program and they don’t lose very often.”

The winner of this game will play either No. 2 Grafton or No. 7 Ravenswood in next week’s state semifinals. Bluefield hopes another road trip awaits.

“We’re very happy to be where we are and hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to keep going,” Simon said. “I know this, it will take a heck of an effort this week to move on because we’re playing in their environment and that’s just not easy.”

—Contact Brian Woodson

at bwoodson@ bdtonline.com