Published: November 28, 2008 02:31 am      

Bearcats look to take next step

Team one win away from state title game

FAIRMONT — The dream is so close to realization, Grafton’s football team can almost reach out and touch it.

But the No. 2 Bearcats, despite being the highest seed still breathing in the Class AA state playoffs, know the hard part has just begun.

While the previous two opponents, Philip Barbour and Ravenswood, were quality teams, tonight’s semifinal matchup with visiting Wayne presents the greatest challenge yet.

And it goes far beyond the Pioneers’ 11-1 record — the same mark as Grafton — or the school’s current run of 10 straight postseason appearances. Even X’s and O’s laid out on some dry erase board.

No, there’s a mental game the Bearcats must win after consecutive playoff defeats to Wayne the past two seasons, including a semifinal loss in 2006.

Grafton hasn’t reached the state finals since 1997.

First-year coach Mark Yoho, a North Marion graduate, wants his team to play loose but with a purpose.

“This senior class got to the semifinals as sophomores, and I’ve coached (in games) like this before,” Yoho said after last week’s 41-7 victory over Ravenswood, the seventh time this season Grafton has hit the 40-point mark. “I don’t think the magnitude affects everybody, but we know the urgency.

“Still, you don’t want to make the game bigger than what it is.”

It’s a game the Pioneers nearly missed out on. Last Friday they led Bluefield by 20 points with eight minutes left in the contest, but proceeded to give up two late scores to make things interesting. In the end, Wayne needed a fourth-down stop to preserve a 41-35 win.

The Pioneers are led by running backs Corey Damron, a 1,000-yard rusher, and Jason Thompson. Senior quarterback Joey Ferguson is 34-2 as a starter and helped propel Wayne to a state championship two years ago.

For Grafton, do-everything quarterback Cameron Gallaher has amassed 37 touchdowns (21 passing, 16 rushing), while tailback Damon Waters has rushed for 1,226 yards and 13 scores.

E-mail Nick Cammuso at ncammuso@timeswv.com.