WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team’s road to the Class 5A Playoffs has been paved with peril.

The Green Wave, which has lost four games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2001, has been plagued by injuries, narrow losses, and an unforgiving schedule this season. Despite the twists and turns that have slowed West Point along the way, coach Chris Chambless and his team know one right turn can get the Green Wave back on the road to another state championship.

That journey begins at 7 tonight more than two hours from home, as West Point (8-4) plays Germantown (10-1) in the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State playoffs.

“We’ve had our ups and downs,” said Chambless of his team, which has dealt with the loss of its top two tailbacks and a shuffled defensive lineup due to injuries. “But all that is in the past. It’s a new season. Every team’s record is wiped away and we get a fresh start.”

Two weeks after losing a pivotal Class 5A, Region 1 showdown at home to New Hope that gave the Trojans a home playoff game, West Point will face a Germantown team whose only loss was a 54-34 setback to Pearl on Oct. 10.

But while West Point has to deal with the rigors of traveling, the Green Will will do so while being relatively healthy for the first time in weeks.

Senior tailback Kadarius Forside, who leads West Point with 773 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns despite playing less than half the season at running back, is expected to play two weeks after leaving the game against New Hope after a blow to the head. In that game, Forside had 106 yards and a touchdown before he was forced to leave the game midway through the second quarter. His absence left a void in the backfield that helped New Hope earn a 20-15 win.

With everything at stake, Forside likely will carry the load for an offense that averages 41 points per game.

“He’s a great player,” Chambless said of Forside. “You hate to see any kid miss time due to injury, and having him back will be a huge plus.”

Forside, who took over for injured senior Quincy Starks after Week 6, makes the ground game go. Without him, the Green Wave managed 4 yards in the second half against New Hope. With him, though, quarterback Dason Thomas and the passing attack can complement the power running game.

Thomas, a senior, has thrown for 1,216 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The trip will be West Point’s 13th-straight game in as many weeks. The Green Wave opted against having a bye week like most teams. The task was daunting, but a 65-51 win last Thursday at Lewisburg served as a buffer from the physical challenge of West Point’s battle with New Hope. Now West Point appears to be recharged entering the postseason.

West Point will have to be. Germantown is a 6-0 at home and is riding a four-game winning streak that includes a 16-14 win last week at Ridgeland that secured tonight’s home game.

“It’s always tough to go on the road and get a win,” Chambless said. “They are a good team with some explosive playmakers.”

West Point has lost three consecutive road playoff games, including losses at Starkville in 2011 and 2012 and a loss at Pearl last season.

Germantown, which runs a spread offense, follows the lead of senior quarterback Peyton Johnson, who has thrown for 1,661 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“Very athletic quarterback, and he does a good job making plays with his arm,” Chambless said. “They are well coached, really test you on defense. We will have to play our best.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat