Dec. 6 -- PRINCETON -- The Princeton Senior High School football team has appreciated playing at home so far during the WVSSAC playoffs and look forward to one more game at Hunnicutt Field.
But what they've been playing for all along is a road trip to Charleston.
The Tigers (12-0) will face the most statistically prolific Herbert Hoover quarterback in that school's history when they face the Huskies (12-0) in tonight's state semifinal game at Hunnicutt Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
"I think they're an extremely well-coached football team from top to bottom. They've got skill players everywhere and they've got a great offensive line," Taylor said.
"They're led by their quarterback who has started since he was a freshman, if I'm not mistaken, and has broken every school record. Anytime you get a quarterback like that it's a very dangerous team. Not only they have the experience of playing in those big games, they're accustomed to winning. They're going to come up here extremely confident and ready to rock and roll so we've got to do everything we can to give them a game," he said.
The Huskies, who are coached by Joey Fields, are coming off a 56-14 state quarterfinal victory that saw senior signal-caller Dane Hatfield rush for 136 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 74 yards and two more TDs. He also gave up an interception.
The 6-foot-4, 200 (ish) pound Kennedy Award candidate has obviously had many much bigger single night outings than this. A month ago he was proclaimed the all-time passing (5,970 yards), rushing (5,459 yard) and touchdown leader -- 58 passing and 89 rushing -- by Herbert Hoover. But the Huskies have other talented skill players -- including Blake Fisher, who rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns versus Oak Hill, also contributing a special teams score.
"Their offense is very similar with what we saw last week with running quarterbacks and running the counter and throwing the ball out to the receiver," said Taylor, whose team comes off of a 34-20 come-from-behind win versus North Marion, who, as fate would have it, also call themselves 'Huskies.'
"I'm pretty sure Dane Hatfield is the heart and soul of their program. That's not saying that they don't have other great football players. When you turn on the tape, he gets as many carries as any other back. Not only is he dangerous in the typical quarterback fashion, he's also dynamic with his legs. He's probably one of the more physical quarterbacks that we've seen all year," the Tigers head coach said.
That physicality also translates to the defensive side of the football, where Hatfield has shown up as a safety.
"Their defense is extremely fast and they do a great job of disguising coverages, bringing blitzes and bringing pressure. They're going to make it difficult on us to see what they're doing," Taylor said.
Herbert Hoover is, indeed, a daunting opponent at any point of the season. Fortunately for Princeton, one reason the Tigers are the No. 1 Class AAA football team in the bracket is that they have a Kennedy Award candidate as well.
When Daniel Jennings transferred to Princeton out of Graham, the reputation that preceded him was as one of the best defensive football players in Virginia. His arrival naturally heralded cred as one of the best defensive players in West Virginia.
Since showing up as an H-back in limited reps, Jennings has become a versatile mainstay of the Tigers offense at tailback -- an increasingly important role since veteran running back Marquel Lowe was sidelined by injury.
"Daniel can play any spot offensively. He can play receiver, H-back or running back. Right now I think he's found his rhythm and we've kind of been clicking with our offense becoming a downhill run football team. Our offensive line has really been beginning to jell in recent weeks ... and Daniel is a difficult kid to bring down. He runs violently, he runs behind his pads. He's a big kid and very versatile," Taylor said.
Jennings might've found himself spread too thin with his increased offensive responsibilities if not for Kalum Kiser emerging as a defensive powerhouse in his own right in Jennings' old defensive spot on the field. He is also a versatile playmaker on both sides of the ball.
"Kalum had two big catches in that game last week. He's one of our primary run-blockers, so he does a lot of stuff as well," Taylor said.