Coalfields and Company was once again all over the state watching some high school football. We’ve added to our staff and are working towards giving the most authentic view of the gridiron of WV. The season is now 1/3 of the way through and some teams are showing their teeth, ready to fight, and some are showing their hind, ready to run. We saw some excellent games and got reports of many more.
Here is our rundown of what happened Friday night:
Red Alert Award – This goes to statisticians. Your game stats are not matching the game on the field and they are obvious. Some people will buy it but we won’t because it hurts the kids and teams that do it the right way. It may help you win all-state because they don’t watch the film or the games, but we do. We won’t call you out yet but it’s coming. It was real bad last year, and trust us, college coaches notice when you put down exaggerated numbers. Get real. This is not an award you want.
#DefeatTheStreak – We called it and we believed in the Dots. Anytime you end a streak like that it should be noted and awarded. Great job by the Dots and now you have the monkey off your back which had grown in size all the way back to 2013. It wasn’t even close either. Buffalo could not handle freshman Ethan Payne who finished with almost 200 yards of offense. Now, it’s time to act like they’ve been here before and go get another.
Meat Grinder Game of the Week – Goes to the Cabell Midland- Hurricane game. This game was closer than the score and was very physical as Hurricane’s solid defense tried to stop Cabell Midland’s ferocious ground game. After defeating the Knights last season, Hurricane wanted to go for two-in-a-row. However, some mental mistakes on special teams and questionable (accountable) playcalling at critical moments helped Cabell Midland pull away. The biggest blow was when Hurricane finally got on the board and Easton Pettit returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD. Light and Vaughn combined for almost 400 yards of rushing.
The Battle of the Up-And-Comings – Was won by Riverside as they beat Ripley in a very hard fought match. Both teams are improved and looking for the postseason. RJ Evans, JT Kemp, and Ty Eshenaur had the Vikings up 21-20 with five minutes to go. However, Mark Scites and runner/receiver Gage Lanham were not going down. Riverside scored twice to put the game on ice. Neither has room for a slip-up, especially Riverside, who still faces a fierce schedule.
Not Ready for Primetime – This goes to Scott. The Skyhawks could not slow down Sissonville, on the ground or air, or move the ball on them. With a 25 point deficit at the half, Scott had -3 yards of offense including only four yards from back-to-back 200-yard rusher Carson McComas. Indians QB, Will Hackney, has risen in stock once more tossing for 270 yards and five touchdowns. Scott is still in the hunt, but theie schedule will begin to get tougher in the Cardinal Conference.
On the Verge for Primetime – Mt. View and Oak Hill are in this category as Mt. View just made too many penalties and turnovers against an improved Oak Hill team. It is hard to figure Oak Hill out because so far they proved they can beat A opponents and run up great stats, most notably rushing leader Khori Bass, but they will need a good test to see where they are at really in the hunt for playoffs. Playing down just doesn’t tell enough, however, they are both improved incredibly.
Outside Looking In – Jefferson, hoping to repeat some upset magic of 2016, moves to 0-3 after another whooping by Musselman. In this game, Jacob Northcraft broke the career rushing amount of his school, 4,032 yards, but even scarier perhaps is that he only ran for 88 yards. QB Chris Fox was the star launching 340 yards passing and five touchdowns. Jefferson is in deep youknowwhat and still has Martinsburg on their schedule. The Bulldogs swamped a praised out-of-state Liberty Christian with yet more playmakers rising such as Shy Crawford had a good performance.
Back in the Saddle Award – Goes to Morgantown as they got rid of the goose egg with a big win against Parkersburg South. Looking like the Mohigans of old and getting back on the winning side, they will have to battle the rest of the way for a playoff spot in which they have the talent to do. After not breaking 100 yards of offense in either of their first two games, RB Ty Konchesky personally ran for 247 yards and three touchdowns himself. Across town, Amir Richardson is rising to his potential at University, a team Morgantown will still face alongside Martinsburg. To any radio broadcaster whining about hard schedules, call Morgantown and trade them.
New Dogs – This goes to Weir as they beat AAA John Marshall. Coalfields and Company stated in the preseason special that Weir is a sleeping giant in AA and should be on everyone’s radar. It was a back and forth battle, but Weir’s offense sufficed led by QB/DE Tyler Kamorowski (157 yards) and Tyler Mack (175). Also, a school record 43-yard field goal by Reed Reitter (kickers are dangerous). Not to mention, Mack got a penalty for a spike after a touchdown (we like that). Weir might be able to hang with with the top AA’s and we’ll get better knowledge next week after they play Keyser, who got thumped by an out-of-state powerhouse. Pocahontas County also dominated Pendleton County and could potentially be a new dog in Single A- they take on #2 East Hardy in week four.
Flexing Muscles Awards– East Hardy gets this as they beat perennial powerhouse Wheeling Central. This was a huge game and a game of the week as our Main Event. It lived up. Wheeling Central might be the best 0-2 team in the state. Martinsburg could also get this defeating a third team from a third state easily. It sure looks like the only team to beat Martinsburg will be Martinsburg. Other ranked teams that flexed their muscles: Spring Valley, Bridgeport, Point Pleasant, James Monroe, Winfield, Midland Trail, and Cameron.
The AA Mosh Pit – The top teams of AA get talked about every week and everyone knows them. Mingo, Bridgeport, Fairmont Senior, and Point Pleasant. James Monroe, Weir, Sissonville, Winfield, Keyser are teams w know are good just not how good exactly. Then, there’s a group with potential gems and busts. Several undefeateds remain: Oak Hill, Liberty (Harrison), Nicholas County, and Elkins. Pikeview has improved alongside Petersburg, Philip Barbour, Grafton, and Robert C. Byrd. Wayne and Scott need to rehab their losses. There also the question of when Chapmanville QB, Adam Vance, will return and what he is going to do.
MSAC Showdowns – Two interesting match ups in the unrelenting MSAC took place. In a battle of top tens, Huntington handled George Washington easily. Jadon Hayes is pushing as an early frontrunner for the Kennedy with a stellar 248 yard and four touchdown performance. The Patriots have not gained their footing for 2017 so far. Capital and Parkersburg also matched up with Capital cruising early and often while the Big Reds made it interesting late before getting put down for good. Kerry Martin Jr. continues with dual threat lethality going for 275 yards three touchdowns passing and 80 yards and one TD with his feet. Capital seems loaded with skill players: Quieshan Gray, Kalai Clark, and Deshawn Harper.
Instant Classic Award – In a game of the lowest AAA’s in the state, it turned out to be an absolute classic. Greenbrier East made the drive all the way up to Preston County after dropping their first two games. The two battled back and forth and found themselves with 20 each with several minutes remaining. With East in possession, QB Kyle King (the third QB in three weeks) was picked off giving Preston the shot to win. However, they were stopped with just enough time for Greenbrier East to get the ball and march down the field. As the last seconds clicked off Sam Snyder kicked a 25-yard field goal to win 23-20. What a ball game.
Noteworthy Performances – Some impressive performances were put up in week three and deserve to be talked about. In a shootout performance won by Philip Barbour, Colts’ RB Chase Collier ran for 266, however, perhaps more impressive was losing-side Notre Dame’s Ryan LaAsmar who threw for 464 yards and four touchdowns. Liberty (Harrison) had a different back go for 300+ rushing this week: Broderick Lantz, who had 309 and three TDs. Fairmont Senior went up against nearby North Marion and QB Connor Neal tossed 270 yards and five touchdowns, four of which were caught by Antonio Parsons. Donovan Kirby of Madonna has led them to 2-0 after 271 yards (498 in two games). Also, Oak Hill’s Khori Bass ran rampant again with 246 yards and four touchdowns.
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