Football coaches ask their special teams to be special.

West Albany’s Randy Nyquist wants his kicking units to be solid, giving the Bulldogs an edge if they’re in a close game.

West has done that, playing a part in 24 straight wins as the top-ranked Bulldogs open the 5A state playoffs Friday at home against Churchill. Game time is 7 p.m.

“The kicking game is something that if those other two phases are close to being equal can make the difference in the outcome of the football game,” Nyquist said.

“I think special teams are critical, especially getting into the playoffs,where it can make the difference between playing another week and going home.”

The Bulldogs (10-0) make special teams a priority, budgeting close to one-third of each practice to that area of the game.

West has the luxury of having no weak areas among punting and punt returns and kicking and kick returns.

This season, West returned its kicker (senior Tyler George) long snapper (senior Shawn Bruner), holder (senior Will Bussard), punter (senior Reese Miller) and its primary punt and kick returners in senior Matt McHenry and junior Anthony LaCoste.

“They’re a year better, which gives us a huge amount of confidence in them and a huge amount of confidence in themselves,” Miller said. “They’ve really been doing a great job.”

Nyquist said Bussard, as the holder, has one of those unsung positions ... you only get recognized if you mess up. Bruner, the snapper, has been solid as well.

“He’s been extremely consistent, and that’s where it starts,” Nyquist said.

Miller gets good yardage on punts. Nyquist is confident in George after the Bulldogs get inside the opponent’s 25-yard line. LaCoste is one of the fastest athletes in the state and is a threat to return any ball for a score.

McHenry averages 22 yards on punt returns. Nyquist says teams won’t kick to him on kickoff returns.

And maybe that’s not surprising after he ran the second-half kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown in the season’s opening game against Sherwood, a big play in a 14-7 game.

“He’s very explosive,” Nyquist said. “He’s as good as I’ve seen at that for a long time. He goes north and south and gets up the field on those punt returns.”

Nyquist heaps credit on assistant coach Mike Bussard, to whom he’s given the special teams assignment.

“I’ve given him the reins on that, and he’s done an exceptional job,” Nyquist said. “He’s really done a great job organizing the kids and making sure we’re ready.”

West hasn’t had many games go down to the final minute in the last three seasons. But the Bulldogs are confident their punting and kicking teams are up to the challenge if called upon.

“Like coach Bussard always says, it’s a third of the game and special teams is what makes or breaks a close game,” LaCoste said.