TolsiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Dakota Blackburn pulls down WayneÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Ronnie Staley III during a high school football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Glenhayes.
WinfieldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Trevon Tanner reaches for a pass during a high school football game against Herbert Hoover on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Elkview, West Virginia.
TolsiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Dakota Blackburn pulls down WayneÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Ronnie Staley III during a high school football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Glenhayes.
WinfieldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Trevon Tanner reaches for a pass during a high school football game against Herbert Hoover on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Elkview, West Virginia.
The Winfield Generals will make their longest road trip of the regular season Friday night as they travel to Wayne to take on the Pioneers.
The Generals split their first two games of the season, both on the road, beating Lincoln County and falling to Herbert Hoover.
Winfield enters Week 4 with a 2-1 record, matched up against a 2-0 Wayne team.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWayne is always well-coached,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Winfield coach Eddie Smolder said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got a lot of respect for (Pioneers coach) Tommy Harmon. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been in the conference and at Wayne for a long time. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s somebody that I looked up to as a young coach. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been very helpful to me.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got a lot of respect for him and his team. They play hard and physical while presenting a challenge to us.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Winfield responded to its loss to the Huskies with a 28-14 victory over the Chapmanville Tigers at home on Friday.
The Generals posted 297 yards of offense, with 235 of those coming in the run game.
Smolder was pleased with how the Generals responded against the Tigers after falling to Hoover.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s hard in football,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Smolder said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œEverybody has to do their job at a high level. We had five starters out last week. So, we had a lot of young guys step up and move some kids around to different positions.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œOur coaches did a great job of getting them prepared, and I was proud of them for fighting and playing hard to pull out a win at home.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Pioneers enter Week 4 after taking a bye week following two consecutive wins to open the season.
Wayne won its first two games by an average of 17 points, as the Pioneers beat Tolsia and Scott.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m not a big fan of bye weeks,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Harmon said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œYou can heal up some bruises and get yourself fresh a little bit. Some of the things that you didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t do well, you can correct them. Hopefully, youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re not stagnant when you come back. You try and build off the things you were doing well.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
WinfieldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s defense ranks sixth in Class AAA in scoring defense, holding its opponents to 14 points per game.
The Generals under Smolder have won both of their meetings against Wayne.
Winfield has won the last four meetings and five of the last seven.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re very talented, especially in the skill positions,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Harmon said of the Generals. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey have two or three guys that can get the football anywhere on the field and score. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s pretty special in a high school football team. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re obviously well-coached. Coach Smolder does a nice job of getting those guys ready and the ball in space. They know what they want to do.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Wayne is averaging 23.5 points per game in its first two games this season.
The Pioneers have also scored 20 or more points in nine straight home games, dating back to 2022. Wayne is 6-3 in that stretch.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have to tackle well,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Smolder said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s with anybody you play, but especially with a physical team like Wayne. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got to tackle and swarm. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got to be lined up correctly against their different formations. We also have to beat blocks and get to the football. They present a big challenge, since theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re big up front and their running backs run hard.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
WinfieldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s run game has been potent through three games.
The Generals have recorded 200 or more rushing yards in two of their three games.
Winfield enters Week 4 averaging 211 rushing yards per game.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey do a nice job moving the ball around different places,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Harmon said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey like to use play-action. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll lull you to sleep and throw it over your head, if youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re not careful. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re going to hit you a little bit everywhere. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going to be a game of adjustments. YouÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got to have enough repertoire to be able to adjust during the game.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Taylor Kennedy covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-7935 or tkennedy@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ on Twitter.
