1AA football playoffs: Princeton faces toughest playoff challenge

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Published in Sports on November 27, 2014 1:33 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

TEACHEY -- An underdog?

Sure.

A chance to win?

Absolutely.

Stick to the gameplan in a hostile environment?

Ah, that's the rub.

The new kid on the block with a resuscitated football program, Princeton (12-1 overall) enters its third-round playoff game at perennial powerhouse Wallace-Rose Hill with an "everything to gain, nothing to lose" outlook.

That confident swagger is the product from growing up mentally and physically in a program that's worked to gain respect with third-year head coach Derrick Minor. Although he knows plenty of work remains, he can't help but think this could be "the year" with experienced seniors leading the pack.

"We've been close so many times, we feel like it's our time," said Minor, whose team endured season-ending losses eventual state champs Plymouth (2012) and James Kenan (2013).

"If we're going to do it, this is our opportunity. All of the pieces are coming together. We're excited to face the No. 1 team (in the east)."

Wallace-Rose Hill's tradition is enough to make any opponent quiver in its shoulder pads and cleats. The orange-and-black Bulldogs (12-1 overall) reached the eastern regional final last season and have played for six state championships -- most recently in 2010.

A run-oriented squad, Wallace churns out 335 yards per game, including 304 on the ground. It's backfield has four talented ball carriers, led by Keyshawn Canady, who has rambled for 1,018 yards and 19 scores on 85 carries.

The trio of Alex Lisane, Jhonta Wilson and Xavier Smith, have combined for nearly 1,900 yards and 22 scores.

"We've watched them on film," Minor said. "We know they're fast, but I really feel like our guys' belief and trust in each other in our family atmosphere is going to allow us to play together as a team."

Defensively, Princeton faces a unit that has recorded 20 sacks and 69 tackles for loss, and forced 16 turnovers. Tim Turner leads the defense with 74 stops. Tremaine Washington and Walker Imwalle each have 48 tackles, and have combined for 13.5 hits behind the line of scrimmage.

Josiah Bryant leads W-RH with 15 1/2 tackles for loss.

Princeton has scored 110 points in two playoffs and gotten a pair of 200-yard outings from Shrine Bowl pick Johnny Frasier. But Minor's team can ill afford to fall into a one-dimensional pattern against a team that delivers bone-jarring tackles on every play.

"We're going to do what we do, trust what has gotten us to this point," Minor said. "We've got limit self-inflicted mistakes. The past two weeks, we've reduced our penalties, stayed mentally focused. (Our) guys have got to be ready for a fourth-quarter ... maybe even a longer battle.

"We're going to take it as a challenge."