HS Football Playoffs: Clash of styles Friday at Mitchell Stadium

No. 2 Bluefield hosts No. 7 Midland Trail in a quarterfinal clash

Friday night the Class AA state football quarterfinal showdown between No. 2 Bluefield and No. 7 Midland Trail appears to be a clash of styles.

That is, unless the weather changes the complexion of the battle.

The Patriots will bring it's strong running game to Mitchell Stadium, while the Beavers will counter with a lethal aerial attack.

However, with the increased possibility of rain in the forecast, playing Friday was an option Midland Trail head coach Jeremy Moore could not pass up.

"That was part of the decision to play on Friday. You have to do what you can do," Moore said. "They are a really good team. We have to play a good game and we have to take every advantage we can take."

The logic is easily understood.

Bluefield opened the season 3-2 with road losses at AAA No. 2 Princeton and AA No. 4 Independence.

Since that time, the Beavers have rolled off six straight wins, most coming in lopsided fashion.

"They are tough and extremely athletic," Moore said. "The quarterback can really spin it. We have a big challenge ahead of us."

Sophomore signal-caller Max Simpson has guided the Bluefield juggernaut, throwing for over 2,300 yards and 27 touchdowns during the regular season.

Last Saturday in a 54-7 walk-over of No. 15 Oak Glen, Simpson was 16-21 for 249 yards and three scores.

The Beavers piled up just under 500 yards of total offense - in the first half alone.

"We have to tackle on the perimeter. He gets the ball out of his hands really quick," Moore said about Simpson. "I think he does a great job, pre-snap, knowing where he is going. It's hard to sack a guy who can get the ball out of his hand before you can get there."

Simpson is also very good at distributing the ball to his receivers. Four Beavers had at least four grabs in the opening round win, including Jurrien Tabb and Jeremiah Jones who each went over 100 yards in the contest.

Pax Calhoun led Bluefield in the regular season with over 850 yards.

While the offense has been receiving the major attention, the Beaver defense has been putting the clamps on opposing teams.

In the last five games, Bluefield had allowed a mere 27 points with two shutouts.

"We have to do everything that we have done all season. We have to control special teams and control turnovers. We have to play our game," Moore said. "I think we had almost 70 plays against Petersburg. It has to be the same recipe. We have to stay on schedule and stay on track."

The formula for success for Trail has been mainly heavy doses of tailback Jayden Roop.

In the opening round game against the Vikings, Roop carried the ball 41 times for 226 yards and two scores.

While the Patriots (10-1) were able to impose their will on Petersburg, Moore feels a little more balance may be in order to have a successful night against the Beavers.

Midland Trail sophomore quarterback Rayce Dickerson has proven to be solid under center when the Patriots have called upon him to make a big throw.

"We are going to have to take our shots when we get our shots," Moore said. "I think we can still be physical with them at the point of attack. If we can create creases and get them out of their base defenses, we might have a shot."

The winner between Trail and Bluefield will line up against the survivor of No. 3 Philip Barbour and No. 11 Clay County in the semifinal round.