CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Things have gone well lately for both George Washington and Capital.

Each surged to the Class AAA playoff quarterfinals last year, and each has emerged as a solid postseason contender so far this year. Both made it through their first set of scrimmages healthy and were pleased with the player evaluations.

However, one gets tagged with a loss before most other teams around the state even play, as they meet at 7:30 tonight in the Star USA Federal Credit Union Kickoff Classic at Laidley Field.

Steve Edwards Jr., who guided GW to the No. 1 seed in last year's playoffs, would just as soon run into the Cougars now to open the season than later.

"You've got to play,'' Edwards said. "They're in our conference and on our schedule. I'd just as soon get to know how I [match up with them] now, because we've still got a lot more to play.

"It is a rival game, and you can throw out a lot of things because a lot of emotion goes into these games. It comes down to who can take care of the football and make the least amount of mistakes.''

Last year, that was the Patriots, who opened with a 21-7 victory over Capital, sacking the quarterback seven times and holding the Cougars to 118 total yards. Capital also chipped in to its own demise with two turnovers and three mistakes in the kicking game.

However, the Cougars return the skill player with the most experience and perhaps the most game-breaking ability in sophomore running back Keion Wright.

Wright led a balanced Capital attack in rushing last year with 581 yards and eight touchdowns and also caught 11 passes. His winning 2-point conversion run in the third overtime at Riverside - when he criss-crossed the field - is the stuff of legend.

"He played both ways for us as a freshman,'' said Capital coach Jack Woolwine, "and he got bigger and stronger in the offseason. He has a tremendous work ethic. We're looking for big things out of him.''

Capital also has junior quarterback Joe Beane, who saw spot duty behind departed three-year starter Malik Witten the past two seasons. Beane started one game as a freshman in 2006, completing 13-of-20 passes for 162 yards and two TDs. However, the Cougars' top four receivers from last year were seniors.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Things have gone well lately for both George Washington and Capital.

Each surged to the Class AAA playoff quarterfinals last year, and each has emerged as a solid postseason contender so far this year. Both made it through their first set of scrimmages healthy and were pleased with the player evaluations.

However, one gets tagged with a loss before most other teams around the state even play, as they meet at 7:30 tonight in the Star USA Federal Credit Union Kickoff Classic at Laidley Field.

Steve Edwards Jr., who guided GW to the No. 1 seed in last year's playoffs, would just as soon run into the Cougars now to open the season than later.

"You've got to play,'' Edwards said. "They're in our conference and on our schedule. I'd just as soon get to know how I [match up with them] now, because we've still got a lot more to play.

"It is a rival game, and you can throw out a lot of things because a lot of emotion goes into these games. It comes down to who can take care of the football and make the least amount of mistakes.''

Last year, that was the Patriots, who opened with a 21-7 victory over Capital, sacking the quarterback seven times and holding the Cougars to 118 total yards. Capital also chipped in to its own demise with two turnovers and three mistakes in the kicking game.

However, the Cougars return the skill player with the most experience and perhaps the most game-breaking ability in sophomore running back Keion Wright.

Wright led a balanced Capital attack in rushing last year with 581 yards and eight touchdowns and also caught 11 passes. His winning 2-point conversion run in the third overtime at Riverside - when he criss-crossed the field - is the stuff of legend.

"He played both ways for us as a freshman,'' said Capital coach Jack Woolwine, "and he got bigger and stronger in the offseason. He has a tremendous work ethic. We're looking for big things out of him.''

Capital also has junior quarterback Joe Beane, who saw spot duty behind departed three-year starter Malik Witten the past two seasons. Beane started one game as a freshman in 2006, completing 13-of-20 passes for 162 yards and two TDs. However, the Cougars' top four receivers from last year were seniors.

"They're a very dangerous ballclub,'' Edwards said of the Cougars. "They deserve to be in the [preseason] top 10.''

GW won't be without its own experienced returnees.

Senior running back Greg Jones, used sparingly the first seven games, became the Patriots' primary ball-carrier down the stretch and finished with 378 yards and four TDs. Mike Tucker was the team's home-run threat at receiver, averaging 24 yards and scoring four TDs on his 14 catches.

Also to be reckoned with is senior tackle Rodney Hudson, last year's Sam Huff Award winner as the state's defensive player of the year.

"I think they have some quality kids coming back,'' Woolwine said of the Patriots. "Three of their offensive linemen from last year are back. They have quite a bit of experience - five, six kids on offense and defense. I'm looking for a really good opening ballgame.''

Woolwine's own team, he said, is "still searching'' for its personality.

"We have some ideas,'' he said, "but it kind of evolves as the season goes on. Teams create their identity, and that usually happens during games. Practices are important and good, but there's no conditioning like game conditioning. A lot of things come out in the heat of battle when you're faced with a challenge during a game.''

Edwards said his team's personality started to evolve during last week's Mountain State Athletic Conference scrimmages against Cabell Midland and Hurricane.

"They showed me a little bit the other night,'' Edwards said. "They really came to play and played hard. I wasn't quite sure what to expect because we've got a lot of new faces and new guys under the gun for the first time, with two pretty good opponents to go against. But I was pleased with the attitude and the way they approached everything.''

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