WHO: Greenbrier West (5-4) at Midland Trail (3-5)
WHERE: Roger Eades Field at Patriot Stadium in Hico
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 P.M.
LAST WEEK: Greenbrier West (defeated #7 Sherman 47-12), Midland Trail (defeated Liberty Raleigh 28-18)
COVERAGE: RADIO – 95.3 WRLB at 7 P.M., STREAMING – Midland Trail Sports Network on Facebook at 7:30 P.M.
Greenbrier West makes the 25-mile trip west on U.S. Route 60 to face yet another old rival in Midland Trail. The Cavaliers placed themselves back in the 16-team Class A playoff field last week with a resounding home win over #7 Sherman. The Patriots kept their dim Class AA playoff hopes alive with a victory over Liberty Raleigh. Midland Trail needs wins in their last two games plus major help to qualify for the postseason.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS:
Midland Trail is led by third-year head coach Jeremy Moore and is currently rated #21 in the WVSSAC Class AA playoff ratings. Moore is 14-15 during his tenure in Hico. The Patriots average 17.5 points per game while allowing slightly more than 24 per contest. Moore’s squad hasn’t won back-to-back games since the beginning of the 2023 season when they opened with a 3-0 record.
-PLAYERS TO WATCH-
Greenbrier West: Brandon Poticher, Evan Vandall, Colton Dunbar, Joevan Robinson, Payton Ford
Midland Trail: Thad Brown, Kaden Lephew, Will McGraw, Xaylen Johns, Jamison Swafford
CAVALIER STATS (9 games)
Offense team: Rushing – 177.5, Passing – 73.4, Total – 251 yards per game.
Defense team: Rushing – 167.4, Passing – 90.2, Total –257.6 yards per game.
TOP 3 KEYS TO THE GAME:
Run the football – Cavaliers rushed for a season-high 358 yards last week
Play sound defense – It sounds simple but make tackles. Be in correct position and limit yards after catch
Control your own destiny– Win and you’re in! It’s all in Greenbrier West’s hands to qualify for playoffs
SUMMARY:
Greenbrier West halted a three-game losing skid with a convincing, 47-12 win over Sherman. Brandon Poticher rushed for career-highs in both carries and yards, running 22 times for 206 yards. Poticher could’ve easily had a three-touchdown evening, but he selflessly stepped out of bounds to give teammate Payton Ford an opportunity to score a touchdown. Poticher’s effort helped the Cavaliers establish a new season high in the rushing department. Poticher didn’t stop on the offensive side, logging a season-high 11 tackles, 8 solo. Several young players have gained valuable experience while veteran teammates heal nagging injuries. Sophomore Ty Pate collected 11 tackles as well, 6 solo. Joevan Robinson continues to be a disruptive force to opposing offenses, forcing a fumble with a strip-sack that led to a West touchdown. Kamden Sams has 6 interceptions for the Cavaliers which includes two pick-sixes.
Midland Trail kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a 28-18 road win at Liberty Raleigh. Thad Brown is on the verge of a 1,000-yard passing season with 972 yards through eight games. Brown has 7 touchdowns but has given up 8 interceptions. Brown versus Sams could be a key matchup, but don’t sleep on Evan Vandall who has pulled down 4 interceptions of his own. Brown’s main targets, Johns and Swafford, have 29 and 25 receptions, respectively, with each scoring three times. Lephew and McGraw split carries for the Patriots with McGraw having a 3-1 edge in scores in 37 less carries.
Greenbrier West owns a 27-12 series record over Midland Trail, 12-7 in Hico. Roger Eades Fields at Patriot Stadium got a facelift this summer, complete with Field Turf and LED lighting. The Patriots are 1-3 on their new surface. West holds a modest two-game win streak in the series. Colton Dunbar had a 30-yard scoring reception last season in West’s 63-14 win over Trail. Thad Brown threw a 15-yard touchdown pass for the Patriots in the loss.
