Last year's football clash between Herbert Hoover and Nitro had significant playoff implications.
The Huskies narrowly defeated the Wildcats, 13-7, in overtime after late-game heroics by Hoover quarterback Dane Hatfield.
Nitro and Hoover will meet for the 44th time Friday at Herbert Hoover High School, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
The Huskies have the upper hand in the series, leading it 27-16, and have won the last six games.
Nitro coach Boom McKinney sees the 2025 meeting as another key playoff positioning game for both sides.
"It's huge," McKinney said. "It's early in the year, and it's only our third game. It's the same schedule we had last year, as far as where we play them. It's huge. You gotta win every game to get the best seeding you possibly can."
Herbert Hoover coach Joey Fields, like many other coaches, wants the Huskies to focus on the task at hand, especially of a game of the magnitude Friday has.
"It's a big game because it's the next game. We like to sell it like that," Fields said. "It's a big game because the two opponents know each other. It was a good game last year, and they had a great season. We want to put ourselves in a position to win. We think, if we do that, good opponents make you better, then you can continue your season. It's a measuring stick early in the season. It was like that last year."
Fields treated Hoover's Week 2 matchup at Winfield as a measuring stick. The Huskies responded by picking up their first win of the season over the Generals, 35-0. The game was completed on Saturday after an overnight delay caused by inclement weather.
The sixth-year coach learned some new things about his team, Fields said, but he's still not content with where Hoover is now compared to down the line.
"I never want to ruin a win for us," Fields said. "It's hard to get wins. It takes a whole week to beat somebody, but I still don't think we played very well, especially for four quarters and the way we finished. It's an unpredictable circumstance and not good for anyone coming back and finishing a game in two days. We don't have that sense of urgency that every play matters.
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"Now, this week in practice, we have been focused, but it's easy to get focused and motivated for a big game like Friday's."
Nitro enters Friday's matchup with a 2-0 record, with wins over Hedgesville and St. Albans.
The Wildcats scored more than 50 points in each of their first two games, including putting up 58 points against the Red Dragons last weekend. Nitro had the same scenario as Hoover, having to return to finish its game on Saturday.Â
The Wildcats understand the weight Friday night's game has on not only the playoffs, but momentum for the rest of the season.
Nitro hasn't beaten Herbert Hoover since 2018 and is 5-11 in the series since 2000. The teams have played every year since 2016.
"It's turned into a big rival for, I think, both teams; definitely for us," McKinney said. "Last year, losing to Hoover, it put us in the other side of the bracket, which led to playing Bridgeport. If we were on the other side, we'd probably meet them in the championship game. It's huge. It's still early in the season. We're healthy, and we got a great quarterback this year. Defense is better than I would say last year.
"I feel good about this year, as long as we can keep the mistakes and penalties to a minimum. That hurt us last year."
Nitro is averaging 55 points per game this season. Its offense presents multiple offensive weapons, including wideout Malachi Thompson, running back Chris Radcliffe and offensive lineman Da'Ron Parks.
Quarterback Eian Duffy has led the charge as the signal caller, having taken over for Josh Moody, who graduated last year.
"I think this [Nitro] is the most talented team I've ever played against in my 18 years, as far as talent," Fields said. "Now, the Wayne teams have been really good teams. We played against good teams, but, as far as talent, you're looking at a few Division I guys on that roster. It'll be hard, especially with their size and length. They're able to get the ball out quick, but then they can stretch the field really quick."
