WELLSBURG — Despite Brooke (1-6) and John Marshall (1-5) being a combined 2-11, Thursday night’s contest on Paul “Bud” Billiard Field inside Brooke Memorial Stadium could have playoff implications for either squad.

A late season run by the Bruins or Monarchs could get them into the W.Va. Class AAA playoff field of 16. The Green-and-Gold enters the fray ranked 22nd, one spot ahead of the Brown-and-Gold. Neither are mathematically eliminated.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

However, to both team’s defenses, they have played very tough schedules.

Brooke’s seven opponents have a combined won-loss record of 32-17, with Bridgeport (WV) ranked second in Class 3A and Frankfort No. 1 in Class AA. Indian Creek has a sparkling 7-1 mark. The Bruins still have games with Sharon, Pa. (7-1) and northern panhandle rival Weir (1-5).

John Marshall’s six foes have an accumulative mark of 27-14. The Monarchs have remaining contests against Lancaster Fairfield Union (4-4), Pt. Pleasant (2-3) and neighboring rival Wheeling Park (4-3).

They have both played, and lost to, Washington (4-2). Brooke dropped a 19-14 decision, while John Marshall fell 40-36 in a shootout.

The Bruins found the win column in week 5 when they rolled past Lincoln County (33-14), while the Monarchs enjoyed their first taste of victory last week in a 42-21 doubling up of Keyser.

“It was a great feeling for the kids,” John Marshall head coach Mark Cisar said. “We’ve battled in every game, with the exception of Parkersburg South. The confidence level is still there.”

First-year Brooke head coach Casey Goff said his team is getting better and better with each game.

“We’ve progressively improved with each week. That is part of the process,” he said. “The kids are ready to go this week.”

Each head coach had thoughts on playing with a short week.

“We will add 15 minutes to the end of each practice,” Goff said.

Cisar said, “We’ve got to squeeze more in in a shorter timer. We’ll prepare earlier this week , but losing a day (of practice) makes it harder to prepare.”

Both teams like to pound the ball on the ground and take to their air when necessary.

John Marshall’s Maverick Lemasters ran for 272 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win over the Golden Tornadoes. He has 526 yards and eight TDs on 102 carries for the season.

Brooke’s Triston Stevens had a huge game in the Bruins’ lone win. He scored three touchdowns and had more than 100 yards rushing.

Maverick had a huge game last week,” Cisar recalled. “Our offensive line executed and he ran hard. He’s a joy and a pleasure to coach.”

Both teams have veteran quarterbacks as Brooke’s Tyler Sperringer torched the Monarchs in last year’s 49-23 victory on Monarch Field in Moundsville. He only carried the ball four times but gained 161 yards, including an 80-yard jaunt on the first play of the third quarter. After misfiring on his first pass attempt, Sperringer connected on his next 11 for 172 yards and a career-best five touchdowns.

“Ty will definitely be involved Thursday night,” Goff said. “We’ll simplify some things this week. We will also get running back Dante Tulenko back from an injury.”

Cisar remembers that game well.

“They came down to our place and really took it to us,” he said. “The Sperringer kid made playt after play after play.”

John Marshall’s Kayden Knapp returns under center. He has thrown for 929 yards this season on 72 of 136. He has eight touchdowns, but has been picked off 11 times.

“We need to eliminate the turnovers,” Cisar stressed. “Kayden has made some big plays for us this season. We need that kind of effort from him on Thursday.”

Cisar said when two rivals like this go head-to-head, you can forget about the records.

“You can throw them (team records) out the window. This is always a good battle.”