W.S. Neal will travel to face the Munford Lions (7-3) on Friday in the first round of the playoffs.

Munford is responsible for eliminating WSN from the second round of the playoffs last year, winning 29-22.This season, Munford is outscoring opponents 384-259. Junior quarterback Avery Harris has passed for 22 touchdowns and has rushed for 14 touchdowns.

“(Harris) is going to be the best quarterback we’ve faced this year with his ability to throw and run,” said WSN head coach Doug Hoehn. “Munford runs a spread offense. That’s going to be a big challenge for us. They have very skilled athletes at multiple positions. They’re big and physical upfront on offense and defense.”

WSN has outscored opponents this season 329-188. A big amount of scoring has come from its backfield in senior Malcolm Hawthorne and Quentin Samuel. This season Hawthorne had 131 carries for 1203 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has had five 100 plus yard games this season. Samuel carried the ball 113 times for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has had four 100 plus yard games.

Hoehn said his team is going to continue to do what has worked this season on offense.

“We’re going to do what we do best,” he said. “We like to run the football. We like to throw a little bit with the play action pass.

“We’ve been doing real well with our ball security this season,” he said. “We’re going to try to sustain some drives, burn the clock and keep the ball away from their offense.”

Hoehn said team depth is not in their advantage but its something his team has dealt with all season.

“[Munford] has very good depth. They have no kids playing both ways. That’s going to be a challenge. We have multiple kids playing both ways so we’re going to have to step up. We’re going have to find our guts and play tough.”

Playing on the road can be a challenge in itself. WSN has an away record of 4-2 this season.

“It doesn’t bother our kids,” Hoehn said. “They show up to play. Our kids have played hard all year long.”

WSN is 10-11 all-time in the first round of the playoffs. Munford is 10-6.  Kickoff is at 7 p.m in Munford.