GLASGOW – Since moving into a full-time starting role as Glasgow’s quarterback just more than halfway through the season, sophomore Tanner Abernathy has quickly accumulated valuable experience.

Most of it has been positive, starting on the night Abernathy stepped into the starting spot for good during an Oct. 13 home game against Class 2A, District 3 rival Monroe County. With starting QB Dalvin Smith injured early in that game, Abernathy came in and led the Scotties to a 45-21 victory over the Falcons.

On Friday, he’ll be tasked with repeating that performance when Glasgow (9-3) hosts Monroe County (9-3) in a Class 2A state playoff third-round game at 7 p.m.

In the first go-around against Monroe, Abernathy ran for 150 yards and a touchdown and completed 8 of 16 passes for 116 yards – including his first career varsity touchdown pass to Griffin Murphy.

Scotties coach Jeff Garmon said before the season he was comfortable with both of his top two quarterbacks, and the week before playing the Falcons there had been discussions about shifting Smith to other spots on the field to utilize both.

“It kind of forced our hand a little bit when Dalvin got hurt, but it gave Tanner an opportunity,” Garmon said. “I was not shocked by his performance.”

The benefit of that decision was never more evident than in the Scotties’ second-round playoff game last week against Newport Central Catholic. Trailing by 13 points at one point in the third quarter, the combination of Abernathy to Smith helped the Scotties roar back for a 27-20 victory. Abernathy threw four touchdown passes in the game, all to Smith.

“We had to fight for that win, and I think that’s going to help us if we win this game and continue on to next week, hopefully,” Abernathy said.

While Smith has become a true home-run threat in the passing game, the Scotties have plenty of other weapons surrounding Abernathy on offense. Dependable slot receiver Griffin Murphy (team high 40 catches for 717 yards, 8 TDs) leads a receiving corps that also features solid options Jaden Franklin and Kris Horn.

“Dalvin’s just so fast, and he’s faster than most kids we’re going to play against,” Garmon said. “Then when you put Murphy out there too, that’s two threats that can beat you one way or the other. Then you throw Kris and Jaden in there, it’s a lot of weapons at the wideout spot.”

Abernathy is just as dangerous running the ball as throwing it, and adds to a productive ground game that features top rushers Sielverio Rescontellio and Dontavis Oates along with Dalvin Smith.

The Falcons counter with their own multi-talented weapon in senior quarterback Ty Mink, who ran for 127 yards and two TDs and threw for another pair of scores while completing 14 of 19 passes for 159 yards in last week’s 35-20 road win against Lloyd Memorial.

For the season, Mink has run for 928 yards and 13 scores, plus thrown for 1,514 yards and 20 TDs. When it comes to the Falcons, Mink is one player the Scotties can’t afford to lose track of on Friday.

“We’ll just try and slow him down a little bit and not give up big plays,” Garmon said. “We’re not treating it any different than we treat any other game.

“… He’s just versatile. No. 1, he’s very competitive – he wants to win. No. 2, he can throw and he can run. And anytime you have that combination, it’s tough to defend. He just has a knack to make plays.”

Murphy said there should be few surprises for either team in the rematch.

“You know a lot of them already and are really familiar with them, and then playing them already this season you know about everything they do,” Murphy said. “They might add a few more things into their arsenal, but you know most of what they’re going to do already.”

Having won the first matchup with three starters out with injuries – all are back now – the Scotties are confident. Garmon knows Monroe County feels the same way after having won three of its last four games.

“A lot of it’s about confidence in how you’re playing,” Garmon said. “I think both of us are real confident right now and I’m expecting a real good, close ballgame.”{&end}