Game philosophy will be the key
Thursday, December 1, 2005
By MIKE DEVOL - The Parkersburg News & The Parkersburg Sentinel

PARKERSBURG - Having played both Morgantown and Nitro during the season, you would think I would have a little insight into who might win Saturday. In reality, I don't have the slightest idea. I think it may be one of the most exciting and interesting games in several years.

Morgantown and Nitro are both great programs. Both teams are well-coached. What will the difference be in Saturday's championship game? I think game philosophy will be the difference.

If Morgantown goes into the game with the philosophy that we will force Nitro into a two-deep coverage and a seven-man front, use our bigger and stronger lines and play controlled offensive football, especially with a great power back like Max Anderson, they can and will win. Morgantown also has one of the better quarterbacks in the state in Charlie Russell and can throw when it needs to. If Morgantown can keep Nitro's offense off the field and control the clock, they will win a close one.

Nitro has the philosophy that we don't care what you do offensively, we will outscore you anyways. Nitro is fantastic on offense; they have the nation's leading receiver in Chris Fulmer and the best back in West Virginia in Josh Culbertson, who may be the best back I've seen in the state since I've been a coach in West Virginia.

I will be honest, Nitro has more than those two players. Their line is underrated and does a fantastic job of blocking. They have a young quarterback that has done a great job for them all year long. They are players that believe in team, players that continue to give a great effort even when two individuals get most of the press. One of the biggest misconceptions is that Nitro doesn't have a strong defense. I believe they're as good defensively as anyone I've seen all year.

So in my opinion if Morgantown uses their strengths, stays patient and controls the tempo of the game they can win, but if they can't keep Nitro's offense off the field they won't score enough points to do it.

As always, I had to ask my players who they thought would win and what they thought were the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. Like everyone else, they were spilt almost evenly as to who would win.

I guess we'll know on Saturday.