KEYSER- Beyond their yearly encounters, the two squads are well acquainted. As the season comes to a close, both are settling into shape after going through similar growing pains due to a youthful squad and a slew of injuries. At Alumni and Friends Field at Tornado Alley, the most recent meeting between No. 4 Allegany (2-4) and Keyser (3-3) begins at 7 p.m.
The all-time series, which began in 1916, is led by Allegany, 73-33-2. The last ten meetings between the teams have been divided. At the beginning of this season, Allegany and Keyser created the worst type of history for two programs that have accomplished a tremendous deal of success in their illustrious histories.
Allegany’s 1-4 start, its first since 1975, included two tight losses to Mountain Ridge (24-21) and Saint James (37-33). It had been 12 years since Keyser had lost its first two games. With both starting rookies playing important roles, a poor start was anticipated, but the injury bug made it worse.
Against Albert Gallatin, Allegany lost tight end Caden Keiper to injury and was missing two-way starters Kane Williams and Amanni Blowe. Keyser has seen backs Grayson Lambka and Tristen Root miss time due to injuries, as well as starting quarterback Addison Brafford.
It is anticipated that those players will play tonight
Allegany comes in with some momentum after defeating Southern 51–14, its fourth consecutive game in which it ran for more than 300 yards. Keyser defeated John Marshall 42–21 last week, although they bounced back from a 0–2 start with three consecutive wins.
The discussion begins in the backfield, much like with every Wing-T squad that prioritizes running. Allegany is home to Jackson Resh, the top rusher in the area with 142 carries for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. Big-play threat Aidyn McKenzie has 42 rushes for 489 yards and four touchdowns, while rookie Khiante Bible has 514 yards and three scores on 74 rushes.
Under the leadership of 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle Lucas Bahrenburg, the Campers’ line has developed into one of the best in the region. With 457 yards and seven touchdowns on 55 carries, Lambka is Keyser’s best back. Dom Crawford has 56 totes for 317 yards and three touchdowns, and rookie Cole Holland has 55 rushes for 378 yards and three touchdowns.
Since Brafford’s returned, Keyser has improved his football throwing, but Allegany hasn’t shown much of a passing game. With 12 of 24 passes completed, the Golden Tornado quarterback has accumulated 243 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Cam Owens has two of those scores.
Tonight, Allegany’s defense, which has occasionally faltered this season, will need to be at its best. Jake Anderson, a lineman for Keyser who was named to the All-Area first team the previous season, leads the Golden Tornado defense with 82 tackles. Resh, a two-time All-Area first-team linebacker, has paced Allegany with 56 tackles.
Tommy Nash has yet to miss a field goal or PAT, thus Keyser has the advantage in the kicking game. He has a long of 41 and is 2 for 2 on field goals and 23 for 23 on extra points. In the Class 1A West Region I playoff standings, Allegany comes into a first-round home game ranked No. 5, one spot behind Mountain Ridge (3-3).
Only the top 16 teams in West Virginia’s system advance to the tournament, and Keyser is ranked No. 17 in the WVSSAC Class AAA playoff rankings. The game tonight has more significance for the players, coaches, and community than just the playoffs.