It's never easy taking on No. 1, but it's not so daunting when you've been there before.

"We've played a No. 1-rated school probably about twice a year,'' said fourth-year Ripley coach Jimmy Frashier, whose team competes in the Class AAA Mountain State Athletic Conference. "I think our kids are used to playing that kind of competition with the conference we're in.''

The ninth-seeded Vikings (9-2) will travel to Wellsburg to take on No. 1 and undefeated Brooke (11-0) at 1:30 p.m. today in the AAA quarterfinals.

Ripley won its first five games of the regular season before defending state champion South Charleston defeated the Vikings 35-0 on Oct. 2 at Oakes Field. Ripley went on to win three of its last four after the setback.

"I think it's a great motivator myself,'' Frashier said of facing a top-ranked team. "I think it's a challenge [our players] wanted to take on. Since [the seniors] were sophomores we played Parkersburg and St. Albans and they were No. 1 and No. 2.

"Last year we played [George Washington] and SC and they finished 1-2. This year we played South Charleston and now we're playing Brooke. It's not that it makes it any easier, but I don't think we're going to be in awe of them. It helps a bunch.''

Ripley won just its fourth playoff game in school history in 11 attempts with a 21-14 victory over Nicholas County last week in the opening round.

"That was a first situation where these kids have been in,'' said Frashier. "They handled that pretty well and came out with a win.''

The Vikings established control of the line of scrimmage early against the Grizzlies and racked up 203 rushing yards. Senior Seth Hamrick (837 yards and seven touchdowns) is Ripley's top rusher among a quartet of players who have each gained more than 250 yards and average 4.4 yards per carry.   

Frashier said Ripley must do more of the same today against the Bruins. Brooke's defense is yielding only 3.8 yards per carry but allowed No. 16 Princeton 204 rushing yards, including 9 yards per carry, in the first half of last week's come-from-behind 33-17 win.

"I think we're going to have to run the ball at them,'' said Frashier. "Teams that have been close run it right at them. If we establish that, we have a chance.''

It's never easy taking on No. 1, but it's not so daunting when you've been there before.

"We've played a No. 1-rated school probably about twice a year,'' said fourth-year Ripley coach Jimmy Frashier, whose team competes in the Class AAA Mountain State Athletic Conference. "I think our kids are used to playing that kind of competition with the conference we're in.''

The ninth-seeded Vikings (9-2) will travel to Wellsburg to take on No. 1 and undefeated Brooke (11-0) at 1:30 p.m. today in the AAA quarterfinals.

Ripley won its first five games of the regular season before defending state champion South Charleston defeated the Vikings 35-0 on Oct. 2 at Oakes Field. Ripley went on to win three of its last four after the setback.

"I think it's a great motivator myself,'' Frashier said of facing a top-ranked team. "I think it's a challenge [our players] wanted to take on. Since [the seniors] were sophomores we played Parkersburg and St. Albans and they were No. 1 and No. 2.

"Last year we played [George Washington] and SC and they finished 1-2. This year we played South Charleston and now we're playing Brooke. It's not that it makes it any easier, but I don't think we're going to be in awe of them. It helps a bunch.''

Ripley won just its fourth playoff game in school history in 11 attempts with a 21-14 victory over Nicholas County last week in the opening round.

"That was a first situation where these kids have been in,'' said Frashier. "They handled that pretty well and came out with a win.''

The Vikings established control of the line of scrimmage early against the Grizzlies and racked up 203 rushing yards. Senior Seth Hamrick (837 yards and seven touchdowns) is Ripley's top rusher among a quartet of players who have each gained more than 250 yards and average 4.4 yards per carry.   

Frashier said Ripley must do more of the same today against the Bruins. Brooke's defense is yielding only 3.8 yards per carry but allowed No. 16 Princeton 204 rushing yards, including 9 yards per carry, in the first half of last week's come-from-behind 33-17 win.

"I think we're going to have to run the ball at them,'' said Frashier. "Teams that have been close run it right at them. If we establish that, we have a chance.''

Brooke's offense poses a daunting challenge for Ripley. Bruins senior quarterback Cotey Wallace has thrown for 1,664 yards and 20 TDs and has 843 yards and 14 scores on the ground. Wallace accounted for five touchdowns (two passing and three rushing) in rallying the Bruins from a 14-0 first-half deficit against the Tigers.

Bruins junior running back Ryan Lazear (1,075 yards, 13 TDs) missed last week's game with an ankle injury. He has received treatment all week and will be a game-time decision.

Brooke coach Tom Bruney will return to the sideline today after sitting out the opening round of the playoffs. He had to serve a one-game suspension after getting ejected in the regular-season finale.  

"The thing about Brooke, they find a way to win in the fourth quarter,'' Frashier said. "I just think you have to have a bigger will.

"You play solid fundamental football, block and tackle. You've got to be a sound football team. I think if we keep doing that, we've got a chance.''

Reach Tommy R. Atkinson at tatkin...@wvgazette.com

 No. 9 Ripley (9-2) at No. 1 Brooke (11-0)