WVSSAC Super Six Football Championships

Wayne carries 19-game win streak into showdown with JM
Saturday, November 24, 2007
By - The Charleston Gazette

Wayne will be trying to get back to the state finals for a second straight time tonight. James Monroe will simply be trying to get there.

The Pioneers hold the advantage in recent playoff success when the two Class AA powers tangle tonight in the semifinal round at Pioneer Field in Wayne. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Wayne (12-0), the No. 2 seed, enters the game with 19 straight victories, having earned its first state championship last season against county rival Tolsia in the title game. The Pioneers have played in the Super Six finals in Wheeling three times since 2000.

James Monroe (11-1), the No. 3 seed, has made it to the semifinals for the third straight year, but is still looking to break down the door to the state finals. The Mavericks have also taken unbeaten records into the semifinal round three times in the previous nine seasons without being able to take that last step.

Wayne features the more balanced offense, with Cardinal Conference passing champion Joey Ferguson having thrown for 1,122 yards and 18 touchdowns. Taylor Robertson, the quarterback in the Mavericks’ single-wing attack, has only tried 43 passes all season, completing 13 for 350 yards and five scores.

James Monroe traditionally gets it done on the ground, with Robertson (1,681 yards, 27 TDs) backed by Nick Kisiel (916 yards, nine TDs) and Ernie Tincher (754 yards, 11 TDs).

For Wayne, Jason Thompson has run for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns, with oft-injured Justin Gilkerson adding 934 yards and 10 scores.

The teams have played two common opponents, each beating Tolsia and Mount View. Wayne did it by scores of 34-14 and 34-6, respectively, while James Monroe won by scores of 48-6 and 53-0.

Wayne has allowed just 16 touchdowns in its 12 starts, and the Mavericks 21.