11-4-11 Bragging rights on the line vs. Frankfort

Posted by Jim King Review Staff Sports Headlines Friday, November 4th, 2011

SHORT GAP — There are no playoffs on the line. Not even the chance of a winning record.

It’s just pride and bragging rights in their county border war when Hampshire’s Trojans take the short bus ride to Short Gap for their season finale with the Frankfort Falcons tonight.

But that’s plenty.

“I think this is as important a game to the kids as we play all year,” Hampshire coach Darren Grace said. “It’s our county rivalry.”

The Trojans are 1-8 this year with only a 49-27 victory over Southern to their credit.

The Falcons stand 2-7 with back-to-back verdicts over Petersburg (14-7) and Washington (26-20 in overtime).

Besides Washington, which slogged past Hampshire 42-12 last week, the teams share three losses in common.

Northern beat Frankfort 21-14 and Hampshire 31-14. Keyser last week won the Mineral Bowl 35-0 over Frankfort after beating Hampshire 41-14 earlier in the month. Mountain Ridge took the Falcons 35-7 and the Trojans 56-7.

Frankfort used a 34-20 victory over Hampshire a year ago to vault into the Class AA playoffs for the second straight year. They won their opening playoff game over River View 32-22 and then lost at Greenbrier West 21-15 in the quarterfinals.

Only four starters from that squad were back for this campaign.

Leading the way offensively was fullback Jeremy Leedom, a second-team all-area pick as a junior. He picked up 106 yards on 16 carries against Hampshire a year ago.

“He ran hard against us last year,” Grace said. “They’ll run him in three basic plays. We’ve got to be ready for him.”

Freshman Gage Shaffer is quarterbacking the Falcons. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 95 yards against Keyser last week.

“He’s got some size and he can throw the ball decent,” Grace said.

The lack of experience puts the Falcons in much the same boat as the Trojans.

“We’re starting eight or 10 sophomores,” Grace said. “They’ve got a couple of freshmen in their lineup.”