Undaunted West M primed for Harvest Prep
FALLS TOWNSHIP — West Muskingum took a risk last week and was rewarded with the program's first playoff victory.
The 10th-seeded Tornadoes now know the pressure is squarely on second seed Canal Winchester Harvest Prep in the Division V, Region 19 second-round matchup at 7 p.m. Friday.
"It has been a great season for us. Our guys have really worked to change our team and the culture of West Muskingum," coach Nate Brownrigg said. "Making school history last week was the mission and the players really fed off of that. We are definitely the underdogs this week and the great thing about that is there is zero pressure on us."
The Warriors, a perennially state power, offer plenty of challenges. Brownrigg noted they're one of the most athletic teams in the state.
It will be on display on both sides. Quarterback Aidan Rogers has thrown for 1,700 yards and run for 360 yards, while accounting for 23 touchdowns. Chris Brown and Justin Batista are his top two targets, combining for 47 receptions, 1,165 yards and 14 TDs.
Rashad Debose (5-9, 220) and Preston Ross (6-0, 230), who has allowed just one sack, anchor the offensive line.
"Harvest Prep is well coached, play with great effort and have really good players," Brownrigg noted. "Offensively, they do a really good job of getting their athletes the ball. They have multiple backs and WRs who can go all the way on any given snap. They do things formationally that put stress on a defense to get aligned correctly.
"We're going to have to play smart and communicate very well to make sure we're aligned correctly," he added, "then tackle with multiple players getting to the ball."
Xavier Cain (6-3, 315) and Ernest Pierce (6-0, 190) headline the defensive line of the 4-3 alignment. Cain has 56 tackles, 16 for a loss and 10 sacks, while Cain has 11 tackles for a loss, while JJ Decarlo, with a team-high 79 tackles and nine for a loss, and Marchello Cox, who has 60 tackles and 10 for a loss and more than 800 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense, highlight the linebackers.
"They have big defensive tackles and athletic defensive ends, while their linebackers and defensive backs are all very athletic and fast," Brownrigg said. "They haven't given up many points this year and do a good job of taking away big plays with their speed (especially hard to beat over the top)."
The Tornadoes are undaunted by the challenge. Their upperclassmen and coaches have worked to turn around the program, and they're ready to shine on a big stage.
"Our players and coaches have worked extremely hard for this opportunity. We've prepared and practiced very well for the past six, seven weeks and have been playing our best football," Brownrigg said. "We're going to continue to do that, continue playing with relentless effort on both sides of the ball and go in there to compete for 48 minutes (or more).
"Our team is focused and pretty even keel, and we're going to continue to do what we do," he added. "We are very aware of the kind of statewide statement we could make this week. We're gonna go up there and play Friday night."
bhannahs@gannett.com; @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Undaunted West M primed for Harvest Prep
