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Eight Fridays have passed since the Middletown High football team lost its home opener to Century.
It was Middletown's first loss of the season, and the first defeat on the brand-new field. But on this Friday, they'll have a chance for revenge, playing in the Class 2A West Region championship at Century High. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Middletown gave up three big plays to Century – a 53-yard punt return from Luke Wright, an 85-yard pass from Wright to Josh Bordner, and a 45-yard run from Cory Anderlik. All three went for touchdowns, and all three came in the final 15 minutes of play.
Without those three plays, Century would have had only 87 yards of total offense, and Middletown would have had a winning record at home.
But by not focusing on the would-haves, Middletown has won five of the last six games and set up a rematch. They beat Clarksburg 21-7 in the region semifinal, powered by a mostly solid defense and early-scoring offense.
The only mark against the Knights in the win was that big plays still haunt them. They gave up a 56-yard touchdown run to the Coyotes' Avery Graham in the first quarter, which represented over a fifth of the total 232 yards gained by Clarksburg.
On the other side of the ball, quarterback Rob Michels has become a solid game manager, throwing three touchdown passes – 12- and 21-yarders to Justin Boyer and a 3-yarder to Will Lyons. He had 218 yards in the air, while Tony Boyer rushed for 78.
Middletown also protected the ball, going fumble-free while Brandon Johnson and Michels each took one away from Clarksburg.
Michels and Johnson both are part of this year's crop of Black Knights, the group within Middletown's roster that has earned special recognition. The eight currently chosen include offensive leaders like Tony Boyer, who has a team-high 370 yards rushing and a 4.5-yard-per-carry average. Koby Cavanaugh, another Black Knight, has 195 yards rushing.
Jaraad Yates and Adam Dulberger are two Black Knights that have been standouts on special teams. The duo has combined for 470 yards on kickoff returns.
Matt McConaughey has clearly earned his honors on defense, leading the team with 5.5 sacks. And Jacob Thompson has battled on the line for his credit.
Century doesn't have a group of Green Knights, but they have dangerous weapons and have utilized their big-play potential to an 11-0 season.
Against cross-town rival Liberty, Century opened big with Bordner throwing a 54-yard pass to Zack Zile. One drive later and Bordner was hitting Anderlik for a 58-yard pass, which set up a 4-yard touchdown run from Anderlik. And Bordner's own 1-yard touchdown dive was set up by a 52-yard pass to Zile.
Without those three big plays, Century had 242 yards. More than likely for Middletown to succeed, Century's big play count has to be less than three.
