From The Portsmouth Daily Times, Thursday 2 Nov 2000, pg. B1
"'Burg-Minford Rematch Set:
"Pirates vs. Falcons, Round 2
"By Chuck Greenslate, Times Sports Writer
"It's not often two high school football teams get a second change to go at it, but Southern Ohio Conference rivals Minford and Wheelersburg will get such an opportunity this Friday night.
"'We beat them once,' Falcons coach Fred Brisker said. 'Certainly if we beat them once, we ought to be able to play with them again, or at least give them a good game. It should be interesting.'
"While Minford came away 24-14 winners during its regular season meeting with the Pirates, Brisker admitted the 5-5 Wheelersburg squad which will [roll] into Minford Friday for a Division IV Regional Quarterfinal is a much improved team than the one his Falcons defeated at Ed Miller Stadium on September 22.
"However, 'Burg coach Mike Schmidt said the SOC I champion Falcons have also bettered themselves over the last five weeks.
"'Our players are excited about the opportunity for a rematch. There's no question about it,' Schmidt said. 'Minford forced us into mistakes, and they definitely outplayed us. Now we've got a chance to hopefully rectify those mistakes.'
"While Wheelersburg [] hopes to redeem its first loss to the Falcons since 1985, Minford has something else in mind.
"'Prior to this season, we haven't beaten them in 15 years, and now we have a chance to beat them twice,' Falcon running back Eli Parkes said. 'I don't think that will ever happen again.'
"While Parkes is hoping to be on the winning team at the end of Friday's contest, the 195-pound senior knows it will not be an easy task.
"'They're a good football team with great tradition, and they're usually good in the playoffs,' Parkes said. 'But I think we're the better team this year. If we go out and play like we can, we shouldn't have problems.'
"Parkes heads Minford's offense, as he's rushed for 1,179 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. But the Falcons' Matt Slone and Jeremy Frazie have added 860 yards and 513 yards, respectively.
"'Our defense is going to have to contain their speed,' Schmidt said. 'Their offensive line does a good job blocking. All three backs do an excellent job of running and blocking. And they have the capability of passing.
"'Our defense is going to have to step up and play.'
"In the same sense, Brisker believes his team will also have to button its chin straps on defensive side of the ball.
"The Falcons will be out to stop a Wheelersburg offense, which is fueled by running backs Billy Dever and Lance Davis, who have respectively accounted for 778 and 642 rushing yards.
"In addition to those two, Brisker said Dusty Chamberlin is a huge part of the Pirate offense that the Falcons must keep under wraps, as the 6-foot-3 senior has posted 361 rushing yards and 249 receiving yards.
"'We have to contain and slow their power game,' Brisker said. 'They're really effective with the quick pitch to the outside. And we hope we can contain Chamberlin on counter plays and force them to throw the ball.[']
"While Brisker said Wheelersburg quarterback Andrew Burleson, who was not starting at QB in the two teams' first meeting, gives the Pirates a little more deep-throw potential, the third-year Minford coach said the 'Burg's offense is still basically the same.
"But he did add that the matchup between Minford corner Jeremy Frazie and Wheelersburg wide out Dustin Winebrenner will be vital.
"Another aspect of the game which could come into play is special teams because it was crucial in determining the outcome of the first game.
"Wheelersburg struggled greatly in that area, as the Pirates had a punt blocked and muffed the snap on another effort to punt. Both instances provided the Falcons with good field position.
"'Those are the kinds of things where you just go out and execute your game plan, and when they make a mistake, you hope you're in position to make a big play,' Brisker said. 'They've had some problems with their punting game in other games besides ours. We'd like to have a repeat performance with our special teams, but we're not expecting it. It's just gravy if we do.'
"According to Brisker, the familiarity of the two teams and the knowledge they have of one another could eliminate the element of surprise, and thus, make for a defensive game.
"But regardless of the point total, Schmidt said the contest shouldn't lack for hyped environment.
"'The atmosphere out at Minford is going to be really super,' Schmidt said. 'Their community is going to be behind them. Our community is behind us. It gives other people in the area a chance to see the rematch between both teams. The atmosphere [is] going to be unbelievable.
"'Obviously going to Minford is going to be an added bonus for them. But on the same token, we've made 15 playoff appearances, so hopefully, our experience of being in the playoffs will help negate Minford's home-field advantage.'
"Besides merely winning a first-round playoff game, Wheelersburg will be looking to keep a 35-year streak in tact in which they have not had a losing season. But according to Pirates' Lance Davis, that's not something Wheelersburg is concerning itself with.
"'We're just concentrating on this week,' Davis said. 'We can't worry about record or stats. We have to concentrate on this game this week, or we'll get caught up in too many things.'
"As the Pirates look to keep their successful string alive, Minford hopes to get its first playoff win since 1985."
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