WRITER STANDINGS

(Out of 13)

11 – Writer2

10 – Third Writer

10 – Shotgun Writer

9 – Writer Out of Ink

8 – Wide Writer

7 – El Writer

 

PRELIMINARIES

#3 Capital at South Charleston

The yearly rivalry between the Cougars and Black Eagles will take place yet again.  Capital is sitting high after a comeback victory over an out-of-state power. Their usual stars showed out, but it was the running by noseguard Kalai Clark that stole the show.  South Charleston fell but not before Shyleik Kinney could toss four scores with three of them going to Samajhi Simon.  South Charleston has a bitter taste after speaking out against their large amount of transfers-out- something that has hurt Capital in the past as well.  Capital seems to be in much better shape with a loaded team from top to bottom.  However, never doubt the prolific Donnie Mays offense.  It should be a good one with South Charleston needing a lot of luck to compete it seems.

El Writer (Capital) Writer2 (Capital) Third Writer (Capital)
Wide Writer (Capital) Shotgun Writer (Capital) Writer OOI (Capital)

C&C Prediction: Capital (56) South Charleston (12)

 

 

#1 Wheeling Central at Madonna

We knew Wheeling Central was good.  We didn’t expect them to completely own Williamstown though.  The Maroon Knights, behind their usual stars of McGhee III, Price, and Murray, will travel to Weirton to take on Madonna.  The Blue Dons, who were under much question losing two all-state talents via transfers, showed up in the opener winning 40-36 against an out-of-state foe.  In this game, Gavin Dietrich rushed for nearly 250 yards and four touchdowns.  The odds still seem stacked against them even at home.  Wheeling Central seems unstoppable, and this might be their next stop on a road of destruction.

El Writer (Wheeling Central) Writer2 (Wheeling Central) Third Writer (Wheeling Central)
Wide Writer (Wheeling Central) Shotgun Writer (Wheeling Central) Writer OOI (Wheeling Central)

C&C Prediction: Wheeling Central (48) Madonna (0)

 

 

#10 Morgantown at Steubenville (OH)

Morgantown proved several things in their week one thriller: they are big, they can run, they can pass, and they can come back.  Ty Konchesky ran tough all night behind their large line, and quarterback Cam Rice made more plays than mistakes.  Big special teams and a mostly tough defense led them to victory.  They will have their hands full with an always talented Steubenville (OH) team that fell close to Penn Hills (PA) last week.  Morgantown has a lot of momentum but will have to travel across stateliness in yet another brutal matchup.  It will be interesting to see this one play out.

El Writer (Steubenville) Writer2 (Steubenville) Third Writer (Steubenville)
Wide Writer (Steubenville) Shotgun Writer (Steubenville) Writer OOI (Steubenville)

C&C Prediction: Steubenville (35) Morgantown (7)

 

 

Woodrow Wilson at Greenbrier East

Two Coalfield region AAAs that have been stuck in turmoil for several years both have the opportunity to start out 2-0.  The Flying Eagles played close with Riverside early but hard running by Micah Hancock and a big defensive safety by Avante Burnett put the game out of reach for an important opening 22-6 win.  Greenbrier East took on AA rival James Monroe and though many expected to the Mavericks to be difference, no one expected them to lose.  We knew Ray Lee had talent and also young spots but the defense was awesome- holding James Monroe to 0 points.  This underrated rivalry will go down in Lewisburg, and we expect two defenses to flex their muscles.  Expect an old-fashioned, low-scoring rivalry game.

El Writer (Woodrow Wilson) Writer2 (Greenbrier East) Third Writer (Woodrow Wilson)
Wide Writer (Woodrow Wilson) Shotgun Writer (Greenbrier East) Writer OOI (Woodrow Wilson)

C&C Prediction: Woodrow Wilson (14) Greenbrier East (12)

 

 

UNDERCARD

Ravenswood at Webster County

Ravenswood blasted Wahama- that is no doubt.  Behind multiple scores from multiple backs, this one was over early.  Across several counties, Webster County was in a much bigger fight.  Despite jumping out to an early lead on #5 Richwood, the Highlanders were absolutely torched with the air game in the second half.  They fell 46-36.  Their single wing offense hopes to get back on track as they host a promising Red Devil team.  This should be an exciting matchup with the winner hopefully jumping into the top ten.  The loser misses out on an excellent opportunity to build momentum and gain a large potential of quality points.

El Writer (Ravenswood) Writer2 (Ravenswood) Third Writer (Ravenswood)
Wide Writer (Webster County) Shotgun Writer (Webster County) Writer OOI (Webster County)

C&C Prediction: Ravenswood (28) Webster County (24)

 

 

#5 Cabell Midland at Parkersburg

It’s never easy to go into Parkersburg and win.  Last week, despite being outsized and without Brenton Strange, the Big Reds gave it all they had behind Jake Johnson, Kionte Peacock, and Tyler Moler.  They will have their hands yet again with a similar stacked line that blocks for one, if not the, of the best runningbacks in the state- Ivan Vaughn.  Passing will also be hard on this Scarlet Knight D as St. Albans found out last week in a straight butt whooping.  Even with a healthy Strange, the Big Reds will need to play a textbook game to defeat the #5 Cabell Midland Scarlet Knights.  We have faith in the possibility.

El Writer (Cabell Midland) Writer2 (Cabell Midland) Third Writer (Cabell Midland)
Wide Writer (Cabell Midland) Shotgun Writer (Cabell Midland) Writer OOI (Cabell Midland)

C&C Prediction: Cabell Midland (63) Parkersburg (18)

 

 

#9 Winfield at Herbert Hoover

Winfield starts this year off 0-1 again.  However, no one can deny they didn’t battle well with a solid AAA Hurricane behind big plays by John Covert and Jacob Huff.  Herbert Hoover, on the other hand, had an explosive start on both sides.  With Rhett White tossing several scores especially to his go-to man Jon Bradley.  The craziest stat is the -60 yards rushing they allowed in their 47-0 thwarting of Scott.  In the theme of several games this week, we will get to see how legit the Huskies really are.  Winfield’s loss is not one to hang their head on.  This shall be one of the most telling games in AA this week.

El Writer (Herbert Hoover) Writer2 (Winfield) Third Writer (Herbert Hoover)
Wide Writer (Winfield) Shotgun Writer (Winfield) Writer OOI (Winfield)

C&C Prediction: Winfield (31) Herbert Hoover (14)

 

 

Tug Valley at #10 Sherman

Both of these teams faced vastly different opponents.  Tug Valley dominated a rebuilding Hannan team behind a big running performance by several backs.  Sherman ran into a underrated Magnolia team that spread them out and sliced it up.  Saying this, the Tide did have several opportunities to make scores and fell short.  Hosting Tug Valley this week, they should be content facing a run-based team.  This is an important game for both as the quality points should be plentiful upon victory and into the future- also, a good jumping point to get on a hotstreak.

El Writer (Sherman) Writer2 (Sherman) Third Writer (Tug Valley)
Wide Writer (Sherman) Shotgun Writer (Sherman) Writer OOI (Sherman)

C&C Prediction: Sherman (36) Tug Valley (12)

 

 

MAIN CARD

#7 Pendleton County at Petersburg (AA)

Expect a fantastic quarterback matchup take place in Petersburg.  Last week Jacob Hartman found the endzone different ways four times in a shacking of Berkeley Springs.  Not to be outdone, Kole Puffenberger passed for six and ran for one in an abolition of Notre Dame.  The two alone were great but both defenses played their tails off as well.  Petersburg, hoping to have a banner year, will need to defend their turf against an on-the-rise Wildcat team.  We look to see an exciting game with a good mix of passing and running and even some traditional defense.  If you’re in the eastern panhandle, this is the game to go see.

El Writer (Petersburg) Writer2 (Petersburg) Third Writer (Petersburg)
Wide Writer (Pendleton County) Shotgun Writer (Pendleton Coutny) Writer OOI (Pendleton County)

C&C Prediction: Petersburg (22) Pendleton County (21) OT

 

 

#7 Hurricane at #2 Spring Valley

Last season Hurricane delivered one of the more surprising upsets by beating Spring Valley by 20 points.  The teams are built similar to last year but a big difference being the two receivers that torched the Timberwolves’ secondary have graduated.  Hurricane looked pretty good week one with a tough defense and a horse back by name of Christian Hill.  Spring Valley looked like an absolute unit.  Owen Chafin and Graeson Malashevich gained over 100 yards rushing and receiving, respectively, in only one quarter of play.  Nate Ellis also looked very comfortable at quarterback.  The chance Hurricane topples this giant in Spring Valley seems unlikely but that seems like when the Redskins thrive most.

El Writer (Spring Valley) Writer2 (Spring Valley) Third Writer (Spring Valley)
Wide Writer (Spring Valley) Shotgun Writer (Spring Valley) Writer OOI (Spring Valley)

C&C Prediction: Spring Valley (56) Hurricane (21)

 

 

Williamstown at #4 Magnolia

What one week can do for these two annual Single A contenders.  With a disappointed shutout loss to #1 Wheeling Central, the Yellowjackets drift out of the top ten.  On the flipside, Magnolia delivered on the question of how good they could be with a big 24-0 victory over at-the-time #4 Sherman.  In this game, Patrick Mirandy tossed three touchdowns with two going to Sebastian Stickler.  Expect big quarterback play out of Williamstown’s Carter Haynes too.  This will be a good measuring stick for both teams.  Does Magnolia belong in the top five?  Is the difference between the Maroon Knights and everyone else really that much?

El Writer (Williamstown) Writer2 (Magnolia) Third Writer (Magnolia)
Wide Writer (Williamstown) Shotgun Writer (Magnolia) Writer OOI (Magnolia)

C&C Prediction: Magnolia (17) Williamstown (10)

 

 

Shady Spring at #6 Nicholas County

Coach Vince Culicerto maybe hasn’t been this confident in a team in awhile.  That proved true with an excellent blowout win week one.  With a well-sized line, two capable quarterbacks, and an all-state runningback- the ingredients seem to be present.  Saying this, they have to travel up to Summersville to take on the Grizzlies of Nicholas County.  The #6 AA in the land, Nicholas County made a comeback then a several score leading win over a promising North Marion team at the Huskies’ homefield.  The game featured big plays by QB Jared Sagreaves and his reliable cast.  We’ll figure out exactly how good the Tigers are.

El Writer (Shady Spring) Writer2 (Nicholas County) Third Writer (Nicholas County)
Wide Writer (Nicholas County) Shotgun Writer (Nicholas County) Writer OOI (Nicholas County)

C&C Prediction: Nicholas County (31) Shady Spring (20)

 

 

MAIN EVENT

Mingo Central at #7 Wayne

A winless Mingo Central and Wayne is a rarity.  In this case, understandable.  Behind Daylin Goad and the Hatfield brothers, the Miners had a clean shot to upset top three Point Pleasant.  Some late breaks ultimately cost them the 42-35 lost.  Wayne, however, had to take on a generational AAA Spring Valley team.  The offense couldn’t move, and the defense had no answer.  They were down 48-0 three minutes into the second quarter.  It is no reach to say this is an important game.  The two annual Cardinal title contenders both need a bounce back win.  It should be interesting watching the Miners’ spread style clash with the Pioneers’ faithful smashmouth run.  This should be an awesome main event AA matchup.

El Writer (Wayne) Writer2 (Wayne) Third Writer (Mingo Central)
Wide Writer (Mingo Central) Shotgun Writer (Wayne) Writer OOI (Mingo Central)

C&C Prediction: Wayne (35) Mingo Central (28)