THE QBs — Oak Glen’s Glenn Adams and Madonna’s Maddox Bowen are prepping for their teams to meet on Friday night at Jimmy Carey Stadium. - Andrew Grimm/Michael D. McElwain

WEIRTON — While Friday night’s meeting between Madonna and Oak Glen at Jimmy Carey Stadium is not a homecoming game, it is a homecoming of sorts.

Oak Glen coach Doug Taylor, who was the head coach at Madonna when they won a state championship in 2013 and took them to two state championship appearances in his five years and later returned to serve as offensive coordinator a couple seasons ago, will bring his Golden Bears to Weirton.

He made it clear, however, the focus should be on the players.

“Madonna was the first school to give me an opportunity to be a head football coach, I really believe in their Christian culture and stuff like that … but this week shouldn’t be about me going back, this game is about the players,” Taylor said. “There are players there at Madonna that I coached when I was coaching there with Dan Rovira in 2021, I know pretty much all of their seniors and have coached them one way or another. They’re a very talented group and this is going to be a tough football game for us.”

His history there is also not lost on first-year Madonna coach John McCune, who has former players of Taylor’s on his own coaching staff this season.

“Coach Taylor has been around a long time and we know he’s going to have them ready,” McCune said. “A couple of our coaches, Ross and Lou Comis, were players for him when they won a state title together. I just know him through this year, but hearing from Ross and Lou and the guys that played for him, he’s a fantastic coach and will definitely have them ready to play.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of hugs and high-fives, but once the game starts we’re all going to be trying to win.”

Trying to win is something Madonna has to do, desperately, as they sit in a playoff spot by one position at No. 15 in Class A. Friday’s game is the Dons’ (6-3) last chance to add to their point total, as it is their final regular season game with a scheduled bye next week.

“This is 100 percent a must-win for us, we don’t want to be waiting around on our bye week to find out if we’re in the playoffs or not,” McCune said. “If we win Friday, we feel like we can start getting ready for the playoffs. This is a must-win for our seniors, we want to get them in the playoffs. It’s been a while since this program has been in the playoffs.

“We’re telling the kids the playoffs for us start this week. We’re treating this as a playoff game. And it is senior night, there’s a lot of festivities for them and there’s a lot to play for, the weather looks good and it should be a big crowd. With the implications, senior night, and it being the first time we’ve played Oak Glen in a long time, it’s a big night for Madonna football.”

The Bears (0-8) are looking for their first victory, with two games left on their slate ­– a week 11 match up with a trip to Tygarts Valley next week added after Trinity Christian canceled its season.

“That can be dangerous, I’m sure they’re scratching and clawing to try and get a win, especially for their seniors,” McCune said. “They’re coming in against us, a single A team fighting for their playoff lives, and they can ruin our season. They’re definitely still playing for a lot, pride and trying to get a win, I think we’re going to see the best they have to offer on Friday night.”

The importance to both teams is evident to Taylor as well.

“I’m sure they’re taking it as this is their first-round playoff game,” Taylor said. “They want to ensure they can get in the playoffs and not be waiting next week relying on someone else to help get them in, so I’m sure they’re motivated and hopefully we’re motivated as well to get that first victory.”

Stopping Madonna’s potent offense, which, when its been on, has shown an ability to put up points and yards in a hurry, will be a big task for the Bears.

“Their coaching staff is new and has done a very good job with those athletes,” Taylor said. “It’s been fun to watch how they’ve developed as football players and people, I’ve known most of them since they were freshmen. They are really good players and they give you a lot to deal with offensively.

“Wes Molish is a big running back you have to deal with and Maddox Bowen has become a real good quarterback for them. They know they need to get the ball into their playmakers’ hands and he’s done a real good job of that. They have some balance, they are good at throwing the ball and they can run it enough to keep you honest. They have some size on defense up front.

We’re going to do what we do, try to run the football, control the clock and keep that offense off the field. Defensively, with all their playmakers, we have to be able to tackle in space. If we don’t, it’s going to be a long night for us.”