Of all the games during Capital's unbeaten march to state championship glory last year, perhaps the one most in doubt occurred Oct. 10 in Ona.
The game was tied twice in the second half before the Cougars scored with 1:36 remaining to emerge with a 35-28 victory. Cabell Midland left the field that night wondering: What if?
Well, Midland gets another chance in yet another big-time matchup against the Cougars, this one kicking off at 7:30 tonight at University of Charleston Stadium. Capital (2-0) comes in ranked No. 1 in the Gazette-Mail Class AAA poll, two spots ahead of the Knights (2-0).
Last year, the Knights were kicking themselves in particular over a drive that reached the Capital 18-yard line early in the fourth quarter - fourth-and-1 with the score tied.
"I still remember the play,'' said Midland fullback Caperton Humphrey. "Somebody wasn't set and we got flagged and had to move it back and didn't get in there in the red zone. That hurt us right there. We score and it's a different ballgame.''
Midland coach Luke Salmons also recalls the moment, and the disappointment.
"It was fourth-and-1,'' he said, "and now it's fourth-and-6 and we didn't get it. You're not going to be perfect, but you want to eliminate the things you can control, like a couple fumbles we had and mental mistakes.''
Capital had only two games last year decided by fewer than 21 points, and the one with the Knights was one of those. But that's become standard policy between the teams, who have played close games in each of Salmons' four previous seasons.
The Cougars won 35-26 in 2013, the Knights took it 21-13 the year before and Capital escaped with a 31-29 victory in 2011.
Tonight's contest also marks the second straight showdown game for the Cougars, who outlasted No. 2 South Charleston 26-21 last Friday.
"It's neat to play games like that,'' said Capital coach Jon Carpenter. "It's no fun sneaking your way into the playoffs playing people that can't play. It's really fun playing teams that are good. That's why you get into it.''
Carpenter has taken note of Midland's prolific offense, which has steamrolled Spring Valley 41-6 and Winfield 56-6, averaging more than 300 yards rushing en route.
"Shoot, they're so big and strong,'' Carpenter said. "They're a tough draw for anybody. They're well coached, they play hard and do everything you're supposed to do to win. Not that it's been a good one for us - we hope it is Friday night, and we want to win, but you're lucky to be involved in a game like that. We tell the kids all the time nobody watches the [one-sided games], but the big fights are ones everybody wants to watch.''
Midland sports four backs with at least 120 yards on the ground in Jacob Hendricks (170 yards, three touchdowns), Devin Stapleton (167 yards, four TDs), fullback Humphrey (130 yards, one TD) and quarterback Tyler Brown (120 yards, three TDs).
"I think this is the year we come out and really show everybody what we have,'' Humphrey said. "We've got more weapons on the field than anybody has ever seen yet.
"I just believe if we play our game and don't have penalties and stupid mistakes - that's when things start hurting you. Our coaches don't get too hyped up about the game. We've got to keep our heads straight and play Midland football.''
Capital, of course, has flashed its share of playmakers for the past several seasons, and this year's crop is no exception.
n Quarterback Tyrhee Pratt is the No. 3 passer and No. 7 rusher in the Mountain State Athletic Conference, throwing for 341 yards and five TDs without being picked off or sacked. He's also run for 177 yards and four more scores.
n Running back Silas Nazario has gained 180 yards on the ground with a pair of TDs and caught four passes and is also a dangerous kick returner.
n Receivers Miguel "Crunchy'' Bays and Kerry Martin have proven to be a solid one-two combination - Bays with 10 catches for 190 yards and three TDs and Martin with seven receptions for 93 yards and a score.
Salmons is impressed with the improvement he's seen from Pratt.
"He was really good last year,'' Salmons said, "and I feel like he's better this year. He's a game-changer, of course.
"In the four years that we've played them, they've always played really aggressive and physical. They tackle well and have explosive players, and that's a good combination. It's a challenge playing them because it could be third-and-18 or third-and-15 and they break one 80 yards. You've got to eliminate the big plays.''