The West Marion Trojans go into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from perhaps the best district in the state and will be playing host to Crystal Springs (6-3) in the first round Friday night.
After being credited with a forfeit win over Seminary and having the final week of the regular season off, West Marion (7-2) is chomping at the bit to get back on the field and prove it is better than its No. 4 ranking in Class 3A.
West Marion and Crystal Springs shared one common opponent this year in Magee. While the Trojans lost 20-6 to Magee in a game closer than the final score indicated, the Tigers were blown out by Magee 54-14.
Crystal Springs operates out of the spread but is a power-running team with running back Johnnie Daniels, quarterback Trevion Williams and athlete Navarion Benson leading the way.
“(Williams) is a big ole dude who runs downhill really well,” Trojans head coach Brad Duncan said. “They want to run ‘power’ and want to run the ‘counter’ out of that same look. They’ll give you some odd formations too and line up in a double wing sometimes, but running the ball is their identity. Coach (Tim) McNair over there has been around a long time and had a lot of success so it’s going to be a good one.”
Daniels averages 10.1 yards per carry and has ran for 867 yards and seven touchdowns, and he also leads the team with 13 receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Williams has only attempted 30 passes this season, completing 17 for 395 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 219 yards and three scores.
Benson lines up all over the field, mainly at receiver, but he also plays some quarterback and takes jet sweep handoffs. He has a team-leading 280 yards receiving and three touchdowns on just six receptions, averaging a gaudy 46.7 yards per reception as a deep threat. He is 13-of-21 passing for 178 yards, four touchdowns and no picks, and he has run for 154 yards and four scores despite averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.
The Tigers defense have forced 13 turnovers this year with eight interceptions and five fumbles but have yet to see an offense like West Marion’s. Every team in Region 6 operates out of the spread so Crystal Springs’ base defense is a 2-4-5 nickel, which is essentially a four-man front with the two outside linebackers lining up as stand-up rushers.
“They have a couple of big guys inside there, and the linebackers come downhill really well,” Duncan said.
It will be interesting to see how Crystal Springs adjusts its defense against a team that runs pro looks like the Trojans do with their “nasty trips” and double tight end power formations.
“They play a lot of guys both ways like we do, and it may come down to who is in a little bit better shape and who is tougher,” Duncan said. “I’m hoping we’re able to run the football because they haven’t seen anything like we do as far as our power stuff.”
West Marion has had a ton of success with its running game this year, particularly out of its power looks. The Trojans run a lot of tosses out of their “nasty trips,” but they rarely are actually outside sweeps. Oftentimes the tosses turn into “power” runs off guard rather than outside off tackle. The natural flow of this look leads to defenses overpursuing and leaving big lanes up the middle for Jartavious “Tater Rabbit” Martin, Octavious Harvey and Jakaden Mark.
The trio has rushed for 1,497 yards and 18 touchdowns with Martin leading the way with 809 yards and six touchdowns. Martin actually leads Marion County in rushing by more than 100 yards.
Having the final week of the regular season off likely will have a twofold effect on the Trojans, according to Duncan. He said not having to get banged up and bruised will be really beneficial because the Trojans are going into the postseason as healthy as they have ever been, but he also knows there could be a little rust they have to shake off.
“We’re hoping that was a benefit for us,” he said. “Our guys to begin with were disappointed because when you’re a competitor you want a chance to play. I felt sorry for (Seminary’s) kids because that could have been their last game and if things fell right they could’ve made it in (the playoffs) mathematically. Not being able to finish the season is a tough situation.”
The veteran coach is making his final run at a state championship with plans to retire after the season, but he knows there are no guarantees even though West Marion seems to have advantages across the board against Crystal Springs.
“In the first round of the playoffs, anything can happen,” Duncan said. “The good thing is we get to play at home. They have to come to Foxworth, and hopefully that will be to our advantage.”
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
