Heroes facing key matchup against Riverhawks
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 3, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Getting ahead in the game could mean getting ahead in the playoff race.
The Huntington Heroes face the Johnstown Riverhawks at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in a game that could put one team in the driver’s seat for a postseason berth.
Johnstown is 3-2 and Huntington 2-2. The Canton Legends and Reading Express are tied for first place in the North Division at 4-1.
“This is a big, big game for us,” Heroes coach Garry McPeek said. “We’ve only had one conference game. The preseason is over. We need to win. Our goal is to make the playoffs.”
The Johnstown offense centers around receiver Quenteen Robinson and quarterback Jarrod Highberg.
Robinson has 32 receptions for 483 yards and 11 touchdowns in just five games. Highberg is 46 of 103 for 660 yards and 14 TDs and five interceptions.
Backup quarterback Waylon Davis is 32 of 58 for 316 yards and five scores. He had two picks.
“They have a great receiver in Quenteen Robinson. He’s their guy,” McPeek said. “They have a quarterback with a really strong arm and a good offense. They’re a good team.”
The Heroes have a group of solid receivers led by James Hawkins and Shane Holsinger. However, the quarterback job is up in the air between Jimmy Skinner and Joey Conrad.
In three games, Skinner is 48 of 97 for 608 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has been intercepted five times.
Conrad is 11 of 30 for 177 yards and two picks in his only start.
Hawkins had 19 catches for 226 yards and six scores, Holsinger 11 grabs for 172 yards and six TDs. Gerald Clark has 10 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown while Thomas Riley had 7 catches for 151 yards and a TD in just two games.
Donte Newsome leads the Heroes in rushing with 115 yards on 28 attempts and six touchdowns.
Tickets can be obtained online or by calling the Big Sandy Superstore Arena at (304) 696-4400. Tickets are $25 for gridiron, $16 for club and $10 for end zone. Children under 12 pay half-price and college students showing an ID may buy tickets for $8.