PRELIMS

#1 Bluefield at Oak Hill

What to Know: The Brutal AA will require high standards to get in.  On both ends, Mookie Collier nears the historic Bluefield’s all-time scoring record while the Red Devils will need an upset to keep their playoff hopes alive.

 

 

(AA) Pikeview at Mount View

What to Know: After a great start, Mount View finds itself at .500 with two weeks left.  Their best hope?  AA Pikeview who has two rushers over 1k yards.  It’s going to be an uphill battle but an important game.

 

 

Valley (Wetzel) at #7 Doddridge County

What to Know: Doddridge has won five straight game.  Valley (W) has found itself also in a recent run of success.  This could be end up being a must-win for Valley, which will be a dutiful task.

 

 

(A) #4 Midland Trail at Nicholas County

What to Know: One week after sending a message to the Single A field, they will get a chance to do it to AA as well.  Behind two Ferris runners, Nicholas County will have their hands full while working towards the postseason themselves.

 

 

 

UNDERCARD

Elkins at Lincoln

What to Know: The pot of North-Central AA’s fighting for a bid is heating up.  Kobie Carpenter puts up better numbers every game for the Cougars, and he will need to do it once again.  Elkins believes they have a longshot that includes knocking off Lincoln this week.

 

 

#6 Cabell Midland at St. Albans

What to Know: Both teams dominated their MSAC opponent last week.  Cabell Midland’s rushing duo is now a trio with Isaiah Duncan comprising a star role.  St. Albans, with a big win needed, has given top teams hard games.  Can the freshman QB create some more magic?

 

 

#10 George Washington at Riverside

What to Know: Grant Wells has started to steamroll and will have a solid test Friday night.  Riverside is riding a big upset in OT and flying high with their big season still alive.  The winner walks out in tremendous shape, the loser will grow nervous.

 

 

North Marion at Braxton County

What to Know: Once again, a game changing matchup on both sides.  North Marion has one of their best teams in awhile with losses only to #3 and #4.  Braxton County bounced back from a slow start and possess one of the most cohesive QB-WR duos.  The loser could be sitting in hot water.

 

 

Summers County at Pocahontas County

What to Know: Summers County climbs the poll every week.  Pocahontas County has two tough games to finish up, six wins might be too few.  Summers County feels the pressure behind the arm of Tucker Lilly, will the Warriors answer the call?

 

 

 

MAIN CARD

#6 Liberty (H) at Robert C. Byrd

Tale of the Tape: Robert C. Byrd doesn’t have much room for error.  As they have found their identity with the running of Tre Junkins, they have improved week to week.  Meanwhile, Liberty (H) has toppled everyone behind two dynamic runners.  If the Mountaineers let their guard down, it might be too late.

 

 

#9 Hurricane at Parkersburg

Tale of the Tape: Both Hurricane and Parkersburg are in solid shape.  Sitting at 4-3, one more win should have them safe.  Hurricane is a dynamic team that has shown up and their losses came from top teams where they only played well three out of four quarters.  Parkersburg has given good teams fits and beat several surprising opponents.  Kam Mace has a gunslinger mentality.  Perhaps, the biggest threat to a good Hurricane defense.

 

 

#7 Wayne at Sissonville

Tale of the Tape: Sissonville has slid down the board with two whoopins by Mingo Central and Winfield.  Teams that Wayne barely lost to or beat themselves.  Sissonville might not want to test 7-3 as a given in this year’s field.  Wayne is a traditional Pioneer team that controls games, runs it down your throat, and makes few errors.  Sissonville hopefully feels the pressure and can defend their home turf Friday night.

 

 

Morgantown at #8 John Marshall

Tale of the Tape: A rollercoaster year for both.  Morgantown finally was sitting happy and dropped an OT loss to Riverside.  John Marshall started slow and now sits with only two losses and two games left.  Morgantown will face undefeated University to finish the year- this game might just be a must win.  Logan Holgorsen is settled back down into the QB1 role and Ty Konchesky is the man relied upon for running.  The Mohigan defense will be tasked with defending underdog Kennedy candidate (in some people’s books) Dereck Hess.  It will be an interesting and important game.

 

 

#9 Keyser at #4 Bridgeport

Tale of the Tape: Keyser has not yet lost to a West Virginia team.  Brady Ours has played his tail off and the Golden Tornado isn’t in terrible shape.  They will have a big test this week going into Bridgeport looking for a win.  The Indians, who haven’t skipped a beat, are a little banged up but still have Jake Bowen- a player that affects the game deeply on offense and defense.  Neither have common opponents so it will be a great illustration of where both stand and how the areas compare.

 

 

 

CO-MAIN EVENTS

#5 Spring Valley at #3 Capital

Tale of the Tape: Both are sitting happy ready for the postseason, however, a high seeding can really make or break a run.  This game matters.  Spring Valley has not handled downfield offenses well in 2017.  They best have their act together when Kerry Martin Jr. steps out with his deep group of receivers including deep threat specialist Anthony Pittman.  The Cougars have proven to be able to play smashmouth ball too.  However, this Timberwolf line is star-studded and large.  They’ll also be tasked with taking down large runner Owen Porter and quick QB Derek Johnson.  This should be a good one.

 

 

#3 South Harrison at #1 St. Marys

Tale of the Tape: Finally!  With so few top Single A’s scheduled to play, we finally have a good one.  South Harrison has lived up to the hype behind speed demon Freddy Canary and pounder Cam Barnette.  They’ve dominated everyone including Sherman and Steubenville Catholic.  St. Marys, too, has manhandled every foe.  Jaiden Smith has his eyes set on repeating.  This matchup will determine whether the race for Single A is narrow, St. Marys looks to go unchallenged, or perhaps, there is a new big dog in town.