Bluefield focused on "unfinished business"

[Bluefield_Rules 46]

http://www.bdtonline.com/articles/2004/12/01/sports/01wedbeavers.txt

 

 

Beavers focusing on 'unfinished business'

Posted: Tuesday, Nov 30, 2004 - 10:17:01 pm EST

By DUSTY HARMAN

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

 

BLUEFIELD - With their stunning comeback to beat Weir still fresh in mind, the Bluefield Beavers know they have plenty of unfinished business remaining.

 

Namely, their third straight trip to Wheeling Island Stadium for the Class AA state championship game.

 

That contest kicks off Friday night in Wheeling, where the top-rated Beavers (13-0) will face No. 2 Wayne (13-0) at 7:30 p.m.

 

But to reach the championship round, the Beavers had to rally from a 14-0 deficit with just 2:30 remaining on Saturday, sparking an unbelievable comeback that culminated in a 21-20 victory in overtime.

 

"What a game to be a part of and win," Bluefield coach Fred Simon said. "It just tops off the season so far. With the players, we just have to take care of one other thing and it can be a great season."

 

Bluefield seemed to be out of luck in the semifinal contest, trailing by two touchdowns and with Weir at the Beaver 32. But the Bluefield defense forced a fourth-and-2, and the Red Riders went for a swing pass instead of a run.

 

BHS' Tracy Coppola deflected the ball and Michael Davis hauled it in for a 75-yard return to the end zone. The Beavers then executed a perfect on-side kick and scored the tying touchdown on fourth down in the final second of regulation.

 

"I'm proud of our players," Simon said. "You tell them all the time that you never quit, that you have to play for 48 minutes, but our players never gave up. Yes, it took an opportunity (like the interception), but once we had it, we did execute to the best of our abilities after that."

 

The Beavers scored first in overtime, and place-kicker Lucas Stone drilled his third point-after to put Bluefield on top 21-14.

 

The Red Riders answered back with a score of their own, but Coppola put pressure on kicker Ryan Dennis and the PAT sailed wide to end the contest.

 

"You just don't experience that very often, if ever," Simon said. "I thank God for that opportunity right there; we got an opportunity, we were very fortunate there. I'm just glad our players responded like they did.

 

"You know, you can crush somebody, but when you have a game like this, it's a game you never forget. Unless you're part of it, it's just hard to describe. It's like hitting the lottery."

 

The semifinal rally gave the Beavers another shot at their first state title since 1997.

 

Bluefield hasn't met Wayne on the gridiron since downing the Pioneers 10-0 to reach the 2002 Super Six.

 

Bluefield lost back-to-back title games to Poca that season and 2003 - the final two of a record three straight championships for the Dots.

 

"We've still got some things to take care of - we've got some unfinished business left," Simon said. "You can't really enjoy (the Weir game) until your business is finished. Once it's finished, then we can really reflect on it."

 

Simon said all the Beavers can do is try their best and hope to draw on their experience from the two previous trips north.

 

"Nothing's guaranteed in this world, but we do have a shot," Simon said. "We'll just go up there and try our guts out. We've had a lot of good student support, we've had a lot of good community support, and we'll need that more than ever this Friday night."

 

- Contact Dusty Harman at dharman@bdtonline.com

[Bluefield_Rules 46]

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2004113028

 

Bluefield making third straight trip to AA finals

 

By Rick Ryan

Assistant Sports Editor

 

Both Bluefield and Wayne know their way to Wheeling Island Stadium, site of the Super Six football championships. Bluefield, though, doesn’t need to check a map.

 

The top-ranked Beavers will be making their third straight trip to the state finals  and their sixth in 10 years  when they take on the second-seeded Pioneers at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Class AA title game. Each side sports a 13-0 record.

 

Wayne appeared in the 2000 championship contest in Wheeling, losing to Bridgeport 14-6. The Pioneers aren’t as experienced as Bluefield in making that trek to the Northern Panhandle, but their past trip may account for something.

 

“First and foremost,’’ said Wayne coach Tom Harmon, “if you’re going to the Super Six a second time, you’re not as big-eyed. Of course, this will be the first time coming through for these kids, but it’s a situation we have some experience at.

 

“All in all, the main focus has to be that there’s a football game at the end of this week. Regardless of the hoopla, regardless of what people say  and I think every media outlet imagineable will be there  it still boils down to that 100-yard field and a football game.’’

 

Bluefield coach Fred Simon has made a habit of going to Wheeling the night before the championship game. The Pioneers won’t depart Wayne County until Friday morning.

 

“We’re pretty businesslike when we go on the road,’’ Harmon said. “It’s a business trip and our kids know that.’’

 

Besides its current three-year title game run, Bluefield also played in the AA finals in 1995, ’97, and ’99. The Beavers’ record in those previous five games is 1-4  but two losses were close, 17-13 to Musselman in 1995 and 21-20 in overtime to Poca last year.

 

Wayne may not have as many miles logged to Wheeling, but the Pioneers have a pretty good tradition of their own going. Including that 2000 visit to the Super Six, Wayne has fashioned a 53-9 record the past five years.

 

Harmon knows the Beavers will be favored to win, owing to their 5-0 record against AAA schools, including a victory over AAA finalist Martinsburg.

 

“A lot of prognosticators have said they’re the best team regardless of classification,’’ Harmon said. “What we’ve seen live and on film does nothing to dissuade that argument. At worst, they beat the state runner-up in triple-A, according to what Martinsburg and Morgantown do in their game. The quality of their team is beyond reproach. It’s going to be a task, that’s for sure.’’

 

To contact assistant sports editor Rick Ryan, use e-mail or call 348-5175