Vikings Look to Swat Yellow Jackets in State Playoffs Opening Round

Coming off the heels of an emotional last-second win over conference rival Mitchell last week, the Avery Vikings (5-6, #12 seed 1AA West) are slotted to travel to Gaston County to square off against the Bessemer City Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets (7-4, #5 seed 1AA West) finished the regular season with a 14-6 loss to perennial conference power Lincolnton. Avery and Bessemer City have never met prior to this week in gridiron action.

Scouting the Yellow Jackets:
The Bessemer City Yellow Jackets are coached by sixth-year head coach Larry Boone (28-43 coaching record at school) and are members of the Southern Piedmont Conference. The Yellow Jackets hold a 10-14 all-time playoff record.

Bessemer City has built its success this season on the foundation of its defense, which returned eight starters from a nine-win season in 2008 in which the team allowed the fewest points in the Southern Piedmont Conference.

Offensively the Yellow Jackets utilize a double wing formation and run the football with a variety of athletic players. Triggering the attack is quarterback Xavier Logan (151 rushes, 743 yards, 10 TD rushing; 62 of 144 passing for 884 yards, 9 TD, 8 INT). A quick runner who excels in eluding tacklers, Logan broke school records for career passing yardage and touchdowns this season.

Aside from Logan, the Yellow Jackets will rely on running backs Jhalen Adams (95 rushes, 423 yards, 4 TD), and J.C. Conner (33 rushes, 275 yards, 2 TD) to tote the football. When Bessemer City throws the football, catching passes from Logan include Brandon Corry (23 receptions, 316 yards, 3 TD) and Jesper Mackey (7 receptions, 120 yards, 3 TD).

The defense of Bessemer City has been stingy again in 2009. Leading the way for the Yellow Jackets is senior DL/LB Reggie Williams. Williams led the club in tackles a season ago and does so again in 2009. Jordan Coleman, a junior who’s already drawing recruiting interest from South Carolina, and Kameron Wilson join Williams as defensive line veterans.

Two-time all-conference pick Robbie Gehring, a senior linebacker, returned after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the third game of last season to provide leadership to the team. Senior Arkevius Thomas provides speed at linebacker, while the secondary trio of Jasper “Jap” Mackey, Raheem McMiller, and Travis Blake provide a mixture of speed, savvy, and playmaking ability.

Bessemer City has found ways to score other than on offense throughout the season. On five separate occasions, defensive players have returned fumbles or interceptions for touchdowns, while the Yellow Jackets have scored three special teams touchdowns, two on kick returns from McMiller.

The Low Down:
For the Vikings to advance to the second round and keep their season alive, the team must concentrate its efforts on slowing down Xavier Logan. The senior has ran the ball more times than he has thrown it this season (151 to 144), so he is adept and finding running lanes and taking advantage of them.

During summer 7-on-7s, Asheville’s Danny Wilkens complemented Avery head coach Darrell Brewer on how his team played with no fear regardless of the team lined up in front of them. Avery must live up to that statement this week, playing with confidence and emotion without being “caught up in the moment”.

Avery, although young, got a taste of playoff action a season ago and would like to rinse the taste of last year’s lopsided loss to Hendersonville out of its collective mouth.

The Vikings offense will face a stiff test from Bessemer City, a team which prides itself on stopping the opponent’s offense.

It will take a standout game from the Big Red defense to pull out the victory on Friday. Avery must play as error-free as possible, plus generate enough offense with its rejuvenated rushing attack and potent passing threats to keep the Yellow Jackets defense guessing and uncomfortable. The winner of the West Wilkes/Swain County game awaits the winner of Friday’s tilt.

By the Numbers:
2 – touchdown runs by Colton Blackburn of at least 49 yards last week against the Mountaineers.

13.5 – average points per game surrendered this season by the Bessemer City defense.

28 – distance in yards of Bessemer City’s lone score in last week’s 14-6 loss to Lincolnton, a pass play from Xavier Logan to Jayquan Mackey.

65 – number of yards in penalties that Bessemer City averaged per game through the regular season.

69 – passing yards by Avery QB Alex Villanueva in last week’s win (only the third time this season Alex has thrown for less than 100 yards—Avery has a 2-1 record in the games.)

150 – when the Yellow Jackets rush as a team for over 150 yards, the team is 6-0. When they rush for under 150 yards, the team is only 1-4 this season.

271 – rushing yards gained by Avery in last week’s 42-38 win over Mitchell.

4951 – career combined rushing and passing yards accumulated by Bessemer City senior QB Xavier Logan.

For a full recap of this week’s playoff game, as well as all things Avery sports, read next week’s print edition of the Avery Journal-Times or visit the newspaper’s online sports presence at: www.ajtsports.blogspot.com