Preview: Kings vs. Winton Woods

Playoff football doesn’t get much better than this. The defending Division II state champion, Winton Woods will go to battle against Eastern Cincinnati Conference nemesis, Kings. It will be the fourth time the two teams have squared off since the beginning of 2021. The reigning champs have won the last two in the series, handing the Knights their only losses in that span versus 22 wins. Kings would like nothing more than to upset the Warriors and end their 21-game winning streak.

#4 KINGS KNIGHTS (11-1) at #1 WINTON WOODS WARRIORS (12-0)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., November 11th
Atrium Stadium, Dwire Stadium, Mason HS
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The most prolific pitch-and-catch duo in Cincinnati this season is Kings’ quarterback Will Kocher and senior classmate Mike Mussari. Kocher, a two-time ECC Offensive Player of the Year, has thrown for 3,670 yards and 42 touchdowns. His 42 touchdown tosses are tied for 34th most in a season in Ohio history. He also has 519 yards and eight scores rushing. Mussari has 65 receptions for 1,380 yards (21.2/rec) and 23 touchdowns. His 23 trips to the endzone receiving, is tied for ninth most in a season in Ohio history. Also adding firepower to the Knights’ offense are running back Jay Holubetz, who has 847 yards from scrimmage (475 rush, 372 rush) and 11 scores. Jake Cameron has caught 57 balls for 850 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has six interceptions on defense.

The Kings’ defense has been very opportunistic with seven players who have at least two interceptions. Paul Kelly and Cameron lead the crew with six picks each.

The Winton Woods’ defense will look to slow down the Kings’ passing attack behind secondary stalwarts Jermaine Matthews, Jr., the ECC Defensive Player of the Year, classmates Cameron Calhoun, Lorenzo Hudson and junior Justin Hill. Matthews, Jr. has 10 takeaways (six INTs, four FRs), three pick-sixes, 209 interception return yards and 17 passes defended. Calhoun has five interceptions and Hudson has four. Sophomore Delan Massey-Wright has had a breakout year in the middle of the Warriors’ d-line with 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for losses.

On offense, Winton Woods is led by running back Trey Cornist and quarterback Vance George. Cornist has run for 1,524 yards, averaged 9.4 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns. George has thrown for 1,895 yards and has 23 touchdown tosses. 

TEAM TRENDS: Kings has lit up the scoreboard with 10 games of 34 points or more. The Knights are averaging 39.7 points per game. The defense yielded a season high 28 points last Friday in the victory over Withrow. The unit has been very opportunistic with 37 takeaways (27 Ints, 10 FRs) and five touchdowns (three IRs, two FRs).

Winton Woods has won 21 games in a row, 20 of those have been by 10 points or more. Eight of those double-digit victories have been in the playoffs. The Warriors have come up ginormous on defense. Winton Woods has forced 34 turnovers (20 INTs, 14 FRs) and converted eight of them into touchdowns (seven IRs, one FR). They have 554 yards on interception returns. To put that into perspective, Kings doesn’t have a player that has run for more than 519 yards on the season.

HEAD COACHES:
Kings: Alex Garvin (35-7 at Kings, fourth year; 35-7 overall)

Winton Woods: Chad Murphy (25-3 at Winton Woods, second year; 58-61 overall, 11th year) 

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Kings (17th appearance, 18-16) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2108, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999

Winton Woods (14th appearance, 28-11) – 2022, 2021 (State Champion), 2020, 2018 (Regional Champion), 2017 (State Runner-up), 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009 (State Champion), 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998

KINGS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Avoid letting the Warriors score any unconventional touchdowns. Leave it up to both offenses to put points on the scoreboard. That will give the Knights more than a fighting chance to come out on top.

WINTON WOODS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Just because the Warriors have won the last two tilts versus the Knights, Winton Woods must not lose sight of the fact that Kings is more than capable and has beaten you, with pretty much the same squad that they will put on the field, Friday night. Getting big plays and points on special teams and/or defense is going to be a huge plus in this affair.

Prediction: Winton Woods 28, Kings 27 

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