It is normally pretty rare to play the same team twice in a season. Playing the same team twice within a month-a-half during the regular season? That is almost unheard of.
However, that is exactly what is happening this Friday night, October 16 at Spartan Stadium in Fairlea when the Greenbrier East Spartans will host the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles at 7:30 PM. East won the first matchup 39-12 six weeks ago.
But a lot has changed since that first contest for both teams.
For example, Beckley’s running back, Hezekyiah Creasy, who gained 160 yards against the Spartans, has been injured and watching from the sidelines. His injury has turned the once run heavy Eagles into almost an air raid type of team with quarterback Maddex McMillan.
Over the last two games, McMillan has attempted 63 passes and has completed 37 of them. He has also thrown for 467 yards and four touchdowns.
Beckley has not turned those big stats into wins though, or even many points. They still average just 10.6 points per game, with the most they have scored in a game being 21 in their win over Preston, and also own a record of just 1-4.
The Eagles may have found another weapon in freshman Elijah Redfern. In the victory against Preston, Redfern caught three passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
They have not completely abandoned the running game in the wake of Creasy’s absence. Nate Grayton has the potential for big games as evidenced by his 115-yard performance a couple weeks ago, but still, throwing the ball will be Beckley’s main strategy in this one.
Other players to watch for Woodrow are Keynan Cook and JaceColucci.
The Spartans defense, outside of a rough loss to Jefferson, has been pretty good at defending the pass. So this game will be a strength versus strength type of contest.
Lucas McCallister, Bryson Ormsbee and Ian Cline will be tested more often than normal, but so far this year they have proven to be up for the challenge. McCallister leads the team with three interceptions.
On the offensive side for the Spartans, they will continue to run first and pass second.
Quarterback Monquelle Davis got banged up last week in the loss to Oak Hill, but all reports suggest he will be ready to go against Beckley. His injury was a big factor against the Red Devils and proved costly in that outcome.
Colby Piner leads the Spartan offense with 674 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He also has 366 yards receiving and three more scores, and returned three kickoffs for TD’s.
In the first game against the Eagles, he ran for 95 yards, had 62 receiving and took the opening kickoff to the house for one of his three total touchdowns.
Quentin Wilson ran for 136 yards in the second half the first go around as well as the Spartans totaled 452 yards in that one.
Playing a team twice in a season can be challenging as complacency can set in on the team who won rather easily the first time. But the Spartans are hungry and eager to get the loss to Oak Hill out of their collective mouths. East will be ready to go, plus add in the fact that Beckley still remains their biggest rival, and the Spartans focus should be at 100 percent.
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