Yellowjackets back in semis

WILLIAMSTOWN -Williamstown football doesn't mind busy work during the Thanksgiving holidays.

In fact, it's a welcome sight knowing that another postseason game awaits the Yellowjackets.

For the first time since they won the Class A state championship in 2008, the Yellowjackets have qualified for the semifinal round. Their next test is tonight at Williamstown High School.

It boils down to a battle of pair of unbeatens - second-ranked Williamstown (12-0) and third-ranked Wahama (12-0). Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

The winner advances to Wheeling Island for next Saturday night's championship game.

"We haven't practiced over Thanksgiving break for a few years and we feel fortunate to be there," Williamstown coach Terry Smith said.

Both teams feature a 1,000-yard rusher. Senior Trey King lead Williamstown's attack with 1,557 yards and 22 touchdowns. The tailback has also caught 10 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the postseason.

Wahama's main weapon is Anthony Grimm, who has gained 1,317 yards on the ground with 28 touchdowns.

"Grimm is big, fast and has long legs," Smith said. "He is also really good on defense. I think he is their best player, but you can argue that Isaac Lee is as well. They are both really good.

"Then up front, you have Jamin Branch. He's a force up there as are all their linemen."

Wahama is loaded with experience. Nearly two dozen members of the senior class were members of the ballclub which reached last year's state championship game, which resulted in a Wheeling Central 28-14 victory.

"Experience will help them, but we'll have support - the kids will be fired up," Smith said. "This time of year, I don't think it matters if you have been there before or not."

At the controls for the two respective teams are Jake Tracewell for Williamstown and Trenton Gibbs for Wahama. Tracewell has thrown for six touchdowns in two postseason games, while Gibbs is a dual-threat quarterback who threw for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week in a 45-20 win against Fayetteville at Point Pleasant High School.

"Their quarterback does a good job of handling the football," Smith said. "He makes good decisions. He can also run the ball."

Defensively, Chris McDuffy leads the Williamstown cause. The junior defensive end recorded 1 sacks in last week's 45-8 win against Valley (Fayette) and tied Spencer Beall for the team lead with 11.

Like Williamstown teams of the past, controlling the line of scrimmage should tell the tale against Wahama.

"I've seen them twice - we just need to slow them down," Smith said. "We have to keep them in second and long, and third and long then make them throw.

"Nobody said it was going to easy, but we will do the best we can."

At this juncture of the season, Smith doesn't worry about the physical shape of his team.

"Our guys are in pretty good shape," Smith said. "These are 14 to 18 year olds, and they can take it. It's the mental part we have to worry about as far as keeping them focused."