Hurricane Heads to St. Albans Eyeing Playoffs

Coming off a bye week and needing a victory to even their record at 5-5, Hurricane concludes the 2018 regular season with a trip to lowly St. Albans (1-7), looking to secure their place in the AAA playoffs.

One feels sorry for the Red dragons who lost their QB Robert Alexander, who transferred out of state, and their coach Scott Tinsley, who left to serve as GW's Offensive Coordinator.

It seems like a long time ago when St. Albans finished their season at Hurricane last year needing a victory to send the Red Dragons to the playoffs. Hurricane prevailed in that game 38-28 and are expected to do so tonight in a game that should not be as competitive.

Normally in a game that is expected to be one sided, one might expect the starters to exit early. After having last week off that may not be the case tonight. Defensive Coordinator Jason Pratt wants to get his defensive starters ample reps. "I expect to play them into the 4th quarter at a minimum," he stated.

Ok I understand that no game's outcome is a sure thing, but with that understood St. Albans has lost 5 games by 50 or more points this season. Folks have asked me my prediction for tonight, and I simply responded whatever coach Taylor wants it to be. Taylor to his credit has never been the type of coach that will purposely embarrass a team, but he knows that the Redskins need to get work in to prepare for the playoffs.

Look for Christian Hill (238-1285-8tds) to get his carries and perhaps improve on his rank as #3 in MSAC rushing. It will also be interesting to see if Taylor continues to rotate Nathan Roy and Austin Womack at QB. In fact in Hurricane's last contest, a win over South Charleston, 4 QBS took snaps from center, as Hill and Freshman Ismael Borrero saw time as well.

Defensively J.T. Cooper comes into tonight's contest with a team leading 107 tackles which ranks him 8th in the state and 2nd in the MSAC. Cameron Kimble has made 102 stops, while Walker James has contributed 92.

Hurricane enjoys a favorable history against St. Albans. The Redskins have won 14 of the last 15 games against the Red Dragons, with St. Albans lone victory a hard fought 21-20 win in 2007. That was the year that St. Albans finished 12-2 and lost in the AAA State Championship game.

Other than that loss Hurricane has dominated outscoring St Albans 529-211

Prediction: The Red Dragons just want this long season to end, while the Redskins hope to gain some momentum for the playoffs.

Hurricane 55

St Albans 0