SUMMERSVILLE — For the seventh time this decade and the 14th time overall in school history, the Wahama football program will take to the postseason gridiron this Friday night when it travels to Nicholas County High School to battle Fayetteville in a Class A opening round playoff matchup in Nicholas County.

The 10th-seeded White Falcons (8-2) will be returning to the postseason after a one-year hiatus and will be making their first road trip in the playoffs since 2007 when they lost to Williamstown in the Class A quarterfinals.

Current Wahama coach Ed Cromley, now in his 15th season with the program, will also be coaching in his 10th postseason at the school. Previously, Cromley’s White Falcons have an 8-9 overall during their collective appearances in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Cromley has twice (2001 and 2003) led this program to the Class A semifinals, the farthest WHS has ever finished in the tournament. The White Falcons also own a 6-3 alltime record under Cromley in opening round playoff contests, including wins in three of the last four.

Wahama, alltime, has a 9-13 postseason record in its previous 22 postseason contests, appearing also in 1987, 1988 and 1991. The White Falcons are also 7-6 alltime in playoff openers.

Seventh-seeded and host Fayetteville (8-2), on the other hand, will be making its third consecutive appearance in the Class A playoffs, having advanced to the quarterfinals in each of the last two postseasons. The Pirates were also the Class A state runner-up in 1999 and won the Class A title back in 1992.

The two teams share a lot in common, more than just their matching records anyway. Both teams are averaging over 30 points per game offensively while surrendering points in the mid-teens. Wahama, on average, is allowing 17.1 points defensively and scoring 34.6 points per outing. Fayetteville is averaging 36 points per game offensively and surrendering 14.2 points as a defense.

FHS has 35 players on its roster, while Wahama carries a roster 34-strong. Both teams have experienced upperclassmen and a nice balance on offense between their running and passing attacks.

The Pirates — who are unable to host the game on Friday due to a flooded field — have won four straight entering this weekend and are also a perfect 6-0 in road contests this fall, while going just 2-2 at home.

Drew Weis leads the FHS offense as their top runningback, but Chris Hill and Caleb O’Neal also bring depth and talent to the backfield for an imposing rushing attack. Quarterback MichaelAngelo Hernandez has completed over 50 percent of his passes this season, with those completions usually going to either Hill or Hunter Hernandez.

The Green and White’s lone losses this season came to Richwood (48-34) and Man (23-7). The Pirates’ eight wins were against Oak Hill (47-6), Midland Trail (51-6), Meadow Bridge (49-12), Valley (20-12), Parkersburg Catholic (35-13), Mt. Hope (45-0) and Buffalo (48-12) and Greenbrier West (24-22).

Fayetteville’s overall schedule combined to go 52-46 in the regular season and the Pirates also have one shutout this season.

Wahama, on the other hand, enters Friday on a one-game winning streak and has pitched three shutouts. The White Falcons’ lone losses came to Williamstown (26-7) and Athens (36-20), both of which were at home.

Wahama’s wins this year were against Buckeye Trail (48-29), Southern (42-12), Waterford (31-0), South Gallia (18-0), Eastern (26-14), Wirt County (36-32), Hannan (60-0) and Buffalo (58-22). The Red and White were a perfect 5-0 in road contests this fall and have faced opponents with an overall combined record of 46-43.

Friday will be the first time that these two schools have met in the playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Sports correspondent Gary Clark contributed to this report.