So Saturday's West Virginia Class A championship against Man will be the last time he laces his cleats, puts on his pads, and straps his helmet.

When Saturday is over, he will no longer carry the football or light up an unsuspecting running back. His 11-year odyssey on the gridiron will come to an end.

Still, don't think he is taking these last few weeks lightly.

While most of us were spending Thanksgiving with our loved ones, Comis was with his father and uncles watching football - and no, not the Dallas Cowboys or the Detroit Lions.

His focus was on Wheeling Central.

''We worked real hard the whole week,'' Comis said. ''We write plays down and I took films home and watched them with my dad. That's something we always do, break down the film. I stuck to the game plan and played like I know how.

''Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thanksgiving, with my uncles, we watched film on Wheeling Central. I asked them what they thought, told them what I thought.

''I think that extra effort does show. We watched so much film and took into consideration all the little things that they do. Things like when they were unbalanced, when they were going to be shifting, and it makes a difference.''

Comis was an animal against the Maroon Knights and was taken into consideration on just about every play. Wheeling Central coach Mike Young said after the game that ''he was tough to pick up on stunts cause he played well.''

''It's very nice to hear,'' Comis said when told of Young's comment. ''They are taking what you are doing into consideration and they are trying to stuff you which opens up so much for the rest of the defense.

''Several times, I've gotten double-teamed, and as a linebacker that is very rare. When I'm getting double-teamed, that definitely leaves guys like Nick Nero and Mike Fuscardo and the rest of the D-line to make tackles. I really don't care if I make tackles as long as we win and everyone does their job.''

And win they have.

The Blue Dons have given up 37 points this season, a remarkable 2.8 points per game. The unit has posted seven shutouts.

''I can't say enough about the way Lou Comis has run or blocked or tackled,'' Weirton Madonna coach Bob Kramer said.

Comis is the defensive captain. He's the one that calls the shots on the field and makes sure everybody is in their correct positions. On the race occasions a running back or quarterback gets through the front four, Comis is almost always there to make the big hit.

On offense, he's the perfect complement to a speedy backfield. Comis is the bruiser back, and when he gets a full head of steam he's a load to bring down. He averages 61.3 yards per game and has found the end zone 18 times. He had a four-touchdown performance in Week 3 against Valley.

''I like running, but hitting people is definitely better than running people over,'' Comis said. ''When I'm on defense, I'm another player. I try to make sure everybody is lined up correct.

''That is one of my jobs out there. Talking all the time, to Max (Nogay) in the back, Grant (Weaver) next to me, and then just right before the snap, reading our keys and doing a nice job of that.''

Comis started his career with the Little Steelers alongside teammate Jim Deter. He's played with Max and Eddie Nogay for 8 years. Needless to say, he wants to stand right alongside his longtime friends with a state championship trophy in hand this weekend at Wheeling Island Stadium.

So as the days wind down and the final practices conclude, how does Comis react to knowing his time is closing? Well, he asked his coach for the first 7 years growing up how he handled his last game.

''It's tough and it's something I've been talking to my dad about,'' Comis said. ''He played and they lost in the semifinals of WPIAL when he was at Burgettstown. I asked him what it was like and he couldn't believe it was over. He sat, his head down crying.

''But he told me that I can't approach it like that. You play your best and whatever happens, happens. If you are meant to win, you win. If you don't, life goes on.

''I'm just going to approach it like any other game. Prepare hard, I started preparing (Sunday) when Coach brought a film over to me at home. Hopefully the best comes out of it.''