Redmen expect tough game again with West
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 10, 2003
PEDRO -- Graduation hit the Portsmouth West Senators hard after last season. But Rock Hill head coach Bob McCollister doesn't think the surplus of diplomas will have that big of an effect on the West talent pool.
West was 12-3 last season and reached the Division IV state championship game before losing 45-13 to Kenton.
The Senators beat the Redmen 42-14 last year, but most of the starting lineup is gone. Still, McCollister isn't about to take West lightly.
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"They're a good football team. They're well-coached, and they have a lot of tradition," McCollister said. "We've played them for several times and there haven't been a lot of blowouts over the years. It's been a good series for both teams."
The loss of West's leading rushers Jeremiah Lens and Justin Cantrell has been filled by senior Josh Logan (5-10, 165) and junior Johnny Rawlins (5-8, 165). Junior Levi Morgan (6-0, 200) is the quarterback.
"Logan is real quick and they have other kids who can run. We have to avoid giving up the big play. I'm worried about their speed," McCollister said.
"The key will be the speed factor. The team that can make big plays and stop big plays will have the advantage. You can't give up easy scores in the kicking game, and when you get a chance to score, you have to punch it in. The team that does that the most is going to win."
West lost its first two games 20-18 in overtime to Fairland and 7-3 to Portsmouth. The Senators got their first win last week, 27-12 over Washington Court House.
"They moved the ball up and down the field against Portsmouth and Fairland but couldn't punch it into the end zone. That's been their problem," McCollister said.
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Rock Hill is 2-1 after routing Oak Hill 44-14 last week. The Redmen lost the previous week 25-14 at Vinton County in a bizarre game that featured nearly three hours of delays due to the weather as well as several key injuries.
McCollister is hoping the Redmen will be healthy for West.
"We're a lot better off than last week. We still have one or two dings, but we should have everybody ready to play even if they're not 100 percent. That will be a key for us," McCollister said.
The loss of most of the Senators interior linemen may have be the biggest factor if the Redmen hope to pull off the upset.
"Finally, I think our weight program has kicked in. I don't think we'll get shoved around like in the past. They're still big and strong. It'll still be a challenge," McCollister said.