Another long trip awaits the W.S. Neal football team, as they will head to Munford to take on the Munford Lions in the class 4A state playoffs.
W.S. Neal and Munford have never played before. Munford is 8-3 overall and went 4-2 in region play. The Lions defeated Saint James 42-21 Friday.
WSN last went to the second round in 2012 before losing to Fayette County. WSN’s last second round win was in 2003,
The game will be WSN’s second straight long playoff game and third straight this season since hosting Southside Selma on Oct. 24.
In class 4A, out of 60 teams, WSN ranks sixth in the state with 382 points score in 10 games for an average of 38.2.
Munford ranks 22nd in the state with 330 points scored in 11 games for an average of 30 points.
On defense, Munford is 12th in the state with 194 points given up in 11 games for an average of 17.6. WSN ranks 13th in the state in class 4A with 177 total points given up for an average of 17.7 points/game.
“They are a very good football team,” WSN head coach Doug Hoehn said of the Lions of Munford. “They have a very good offensive line and a good quarterback in No. 5 Brett Haynie. They have some good wide receivers and running backs and there is not really a weak spot in their offense. They have the ability to make a big play at any time.”
Hoehn said he sees no weak spots in Munford.
“On defense, they run to the ball. They have good size all over the place. They are well-balanced throwing and running the ball,” he said. “They really just don’t have any weak spots. They are probably the most well-balanced team we have seen this year. They can run and throw and are physical up front and run well on defense and don’t break assignments.”
So what about another long road trip? Hoehn said he thinks his team will be fine, just like they have been all season.
“I really think the road trip we made earlier to Jacksonville, Fla., was important for us,” he said. “We anticipated if we made the playoffs this year, we would have some long road trips. The kids handled the road trip very well and this past one very well. I don’t think it bothers them to get on a bus and go four hours to play. I am extremely proud of them of how they have handled it this year.”

AHSFHS preview:
http://www.ahsfhs.org/playoffs/playoffroundup2013a.asp?Team1=W.S.%20Neal&Team2=Munford&class1=4A&round1=2&year1=2014