Capital expects to have its top two playmakers back for its rematch against George Washington Friday in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs.

Junior tailback Keion Wright and senior receiver Melvin Allen both sat out last week's regular-season finale against Huntington with injuries. Wright has a troublesome knee and Allen an ankle ailment.

"I think they'll be available,'' Cougars coach Jack Woolwine said before Monday's practice. "They rehabbed all week last week. I'm sure they'll probably be able to practice this week.''

Wright and Allen comprise a large part of Capital's attack plan on offense. Before they were held out of last week's 28-20 win over the Highlanders, they'd been providing about 70 percent of the team's rushing and receiving yardage, respectively.

For the season, Wright has carried 189 times for 989 yards and nine touchdowns, and Allen has grabbed 30 passes for 372 yards and one TD. Allen also tops the team in interceptions (four), kickoff returns and punt returns.

The Cougars gained some experience and confidence for their backups last week, as running back Justin Cousins ran for 101 yards, Myles Duiguid caught six passes for 80 yards and a TD and junior quarterback Josh Sharp ran for two scores and threw for a career-high 112 yards.

If Wright and/or Allen aggravate their injuries this week, the transition will likely be smoother for the Cougars.

"Injuries are one thing you don't have much control over,'' Woolwine said. "You just adjust to what we have and what we do. We think we have capable replacements there. You just go play.''

It was during Capital's first game against GW on Oct. 23 that Wright first suffered his injury, which was called a hyperextension of the knee. In that game, he was held to 89 yards on 26 carries, one of his lowest totals of the year, as the Patriots won 14-0.

It marked the only time all season the No. 11 Cougars (6-4) were shut out, and was even a season-low in points for the No. 6 Patriots (8-2).

"It's a pretty good matchup, us and GW,'' Woolwine said. "I think we were fairly even the last time. Statistically, there's wasn't much difference aside from the two bad snaps we had that lost 40 yards. We had our opportunities and didn't cash in, and they made some good plays and have good athletes and are well coached.''

The Capital-GW winner moves on to the playoff quarterfinals the following weekend against the survivor of the game between No. 3 Bridgeport (10-0) and No. 14 Parkersburg (6-4).

Reach Rick Ryan at 304-348-5175 or rickr...@wvgazette.com.

Capital expects to have its top two playmakers back for its rematch against George Washington Friday in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs.

Junior tailback Keion Wright and senior receiver Melvin Allen both sat out last week's regular-season finale against Huntington with injuries. Wright has a troublesome knee and Allen an ankle ailment.

"I think they'll be available,'' Cougars coach Jack Woolwine said before Monday's practice. "They rehabbed all week last week. I'm sure they'll probably be able to practice this week.''

Wright and Allen comprise a large part of Capital's attack plan on offense. Before they were held out of last week's 28-20 win over the Highlanders, they'd been providing about 70 percent of the team's rushing and receiving yardage, respectively.

For the season, Wright has carried 189 times for 989 yards and nine touchdowns, and Allen has grabbed 30 passes for 372 yards and one TD. Allen also tops the team in interceptions (four), kickoff returns and punt returns.

The Cougars gained some experience and confidence for their backups last week, as running back Justin Cousins ran for 101 yards, Myles Duiguid caught six passes for 80 yards and a TD and junior quarterback Josh Sharp ran for two scores and threw for a career-high 112 yards.

If Wright and/or Allen aggravate their injuries this week, the transition will likely be smoother for the Cougars.

"Injuries are one thing you don't have much control over,'' Woolwine said. "You just adjust to what we have and what we do. We think we have capable replacements there. You just go play.''

It was during Capital's first game against GW on Oct. 23 that Wright first suffered his injury, which was called a hyperextension of the knee. In that game, he was held to 89 yards on 26 carries, one of his lowest totals of the year, as the Patriots won 14-0.

It marked the only time all season the No. 11 Cougars (6-4) were shut out, and was even a season-low in points for the No. 6 Patriots (8-2).

"It's a pretty good matchup, us and GW,'' Woolwine said. "I think we were fairly even the last time. Statistically, there's wasn't much difference aside from the two bad snaps we had that lost 40 yards. We had our opportunities and didn't cash in, and they made some good plays and have good athletes and are well coached.''

The Capital-GW winner moves on to the playoff quarterfinals the following weekend against the survivor of the game between No. 3 Bridgeport (10-0) and No. 14 Parkersburg (6-4).

Reach Rick Ryan at 304-348-5175 or rickr...@wvgazette.com.