(12) Hurricane vs. (5) University
After a one year absence, Hurricane football is back in the West Virginia AAA Playoffs. With the return to the post season let's take a look back at Hurricane's playoff outcomes since 2005.
2005: HURRICANE (12) 26 Martinsburg (5) 21 / CABELL MIDLAND (13) 24 Hurricane (12) 21
2006: South Charleston (10) 35 Hurricane (7) 22
2007: East Fairmont (8) 20 Hurricane (9) 16
2008: Capital (5) 35 Hurricane (12) 14
2010: Hurricane (5) 39 Spring Valley (12) 17 / South Charleston (4) 30 Hurricane (5) 26
2011: Hurricane (11) 54 Elkins (6) 30 / George Washington (3) 33 Hurricane (11) 6
2012: George Washington (3) 35 Hurricane (14) 10
2013: Capital (3) 38 Hurricane (14) 10
2014: Huntington (7) 27 Hurricane (10) 7
Takeaways since '05:
1. Hurricane has a 3-9 record in the post season.
2. Hurricane has played a MSAC opponent in their last four playoff games. The last time they played an out of conference opponent they upset the 6 seed Elkins in 2011.
3. As a 12 seed, like they are this year, Hurricane is 1-1 since '05.
4. Coach Taylor seeks his first postseason victory Friday at Universtiy.
5. In matchups that Hurricane did not play thier post season opponent in the regular season they are 2-3.
University preview:
University WR Amir Richardson
University and Hurricane have one common opponent. Brooke which Hurricane shutout 47-0 on 9/16 and the week prior University upended the Bruins 35-13. University is 2-1 vs. teams in the AAA playoffs with wins over Buchannon Upshur and Wheeling Park and a loss against Morgantown. The offense is averaging 308 yards and 29.7 points per game, while the defense allows a respectable 16.5 points per game. The offense is led by their big play wide receiver Amir Richardson (558 yards, 7 touchdowns) running back Robert Sanders (604 yards, 4 touchdowns) and dual threat QB Clay Bailey (14 total touchdowns). The Hawks and Redskins have only met one time in school history and that came in the 2000 AAA playoffs, University dominated 40-14.
REDSKIN'S KEYS TO VICTORY:
Get off to a fast start, from someone who has played in 5 high school playoff games the game hinges on momentum. Hurricane has nothing to lose, they are the underdog a fast start offensively just adds the pressure to a young University football team. No 3 and outs.
Special Teams, when pulling off an upset special teams is always crucial. The kickoff team must have their best coverage of the year. Punter Hunter Horn must be able to shift field position with punts as he has done all year. The Punt Return team can add to their impressive blocked punt total of 3 and the first round of the playoffs seems like a good week for the Kick Return team to contribute their first score of the season.
Protect the ball, It is pretty simple in games the Skins have protected the ball they have won, in games they have not they have lost.
Defensively, swarm and tackle knock the ball out every chance you get. You know what they are going to do as Coach Pratt tweeted out 3,267 minutes of film this week. The preparation is there and when preparation meets execution, an upset can happen.
Prediction: (12) Hurricane 27- (5) University 21
Hurricane fans get comfy in Morgantown, because we will be back.
Written by: Matt and Zach Cooper, Get well soon pops!
