FEATURED PHOTO CREDITS: CHRIS DORST (WEST VIRGINIA GAZETTE)

 

#2 and #3 Live Up

In a game that unfolded to be an absolute blockbuster, “AAA” powerhouses Spring Valley and Capital met in Charleston Friday night. Kerry Martin Jr. led his team down the field and Kalai Clark pounded in the first score of the game from the 2-yard line. Shortly after, Spring Valley engineered a drive of their own and Owen Chafin eventually capped it off with a touchdown to bring the Capital lead to 7-6 at the half. When the 3rd quarter began, Spring Valley began leaning on their experienced and talented offensive line, and it eventually payed off. Spring Valley was able to chew up a large majority of the clock as Graeson Malashevich found the endzone twice in the second half to extend the Spring Valley lead. Kalai Clark would rumble into the endzone late for another Cougar score, but the Timberwolves controlled the ball for the rest of the game and rolled out of Charleston with a big upset victory. (21-13)

 

 

MSAC Contenders

The undefeated Huntington Highlanders continued their campaign last week with a matchup against the winless South Charleston Black Eagles. As usual, Huntington began the game by feeding star running back Ty Wilcoxon. Wilcoxon racked up 86 yards in the first quarter, but suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him the rest of the contest. Head Coach Billy Seals then brought in Junior Diallo Mitchell to fill the void. Behind Huntington’s solid offensive line, Mitchell went for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as the Highlander defense held the Black Eagles to -3 yards of 1st half offense. Huntington cruised the rest of the game and went on to earn the 37-14 win to stay unbeaten. Coming off a thumping from seemingly-unstoppable Highlanders, the George Washington Patriots travelled to Hurricane last week to battle a Redskin team that had won two straight. The Patriots, led by Senior QB Grant Wells, marched down the field with the first possession, but had to settle for a field goal. Following a Christian Hill touchdown for Hurricane, Isaac Isabell took the ensuing kick 94 yards to give the Patriots a 10-7 halftime lead. It was a battle in the second half, but a late Grant Wells touchdown propelled George Washington to the 24-16 win.

 

 

Top AA’s March

#2 Bluefield travelled across the border into Virginia to take on a well-coached Richlands squad.  The Beavers were held in account for most of the first half until a big Chandler Cooper to Ronnell Blevins pass followed up with a long JJ Davis run.   These plays piled on top of early scores and drives led by Juice Edwards and Arnold Martin.  The Beaver defense, led by breakout defensive end Sean Martin, swarmed and kept Richlands at 10 while they pounded their way to a 44-10 victory.  Cooper would finish with over 200 yards passing.  #6 Nicholas County also remains unbeaten after a shutout victory over Roane County.  Helped by defensive scores, Jared Sagraves scored through the air and on his feet for 292 yards and three total touchdowns.  Luke LeRose, a receiver, brought in over 200 yards of those passes and both passing touchdowns.  It was never much in question.  39-0.

 

 

Cardinal Clashes

In one of the most anticipated AA showdowns in Week Six, the #5 Poca Dots took on the #9 Sissonville Indians Saturday night at Laidley field.  Will Hackney put together another solid game with yards galore and many of them going to his trusty receiver Mayson Miller.  However, it was Poca’s QB Jay Cook that held the advantage.  Balancing on a stout defense, hard running by Ethan Payne, and playmaking snags by Bronson Skeens, the Dots took command early.  Though the Indians stayed within a score nearing the half, a hail mary second quarter-ending touchdown pass took the wind out of Sissonville.  After that, the Dots slowly pulled away as they did a week prior finishing with a 40-20 win.  Secretly climbing up the ranks in the Cardinal is Chapmanville, who has won three straight.  Behind Nick Collier, who rushed for 253 yards and three scores, the Tigers continued their winning ways easily over Herbert Hoover.  Dillon Renniger neared 100 yards while QB Chase Berry passed for 138.  They move to 4-2 with the 39-0 win.

 

 

Coalfields Single As Move Forward

Top tens Sherman and Fayetteville squared up in a muddy matchup.  Early on, Sherman showed their size advantage with quick stops and a 51-yard scamper by Seth Rinchich.  The game was stalemated in the mud until Jordan Dempsey began breaking big runs- finally scoring and bringing the game to 8-6 in the second.  Right before the half, JT Hensley would manage an explosive touchdown run.  He followed that up with another in the third as Fayetteville slowed on offense.  Another fourth quarter score had the Tide up 30-6 and only a late touchdown would bring it to 30-13 final.  Midland Trail held off a late resurgence by the AA Westside Renegades.  Going into the half up 20-0 after an Austin Isaacs pass and rush touchdown and also a Cordell Lesher touchdown.  Bradie Vance brought it with 12 but the Patriots kept them at a distance to finish with a 28-14 win,and stay undefeated.

 

 

Notables

Coming off a win at Buckhannon-Upshur the Spartans of Greenbrier East kept rolling with a 14-0 win over Allegheny, VA. Cabell Midland got back to .500 with a 17 point shutout of Riverside. The Independence Patriots got their second win of the year by defeating formerly undefeated Clay County. Oak Hill was able to come away with the 7 point win after a high scoring battle with Pikeview while Van dominated winless Montcalm. T round out our review, the Tolsia Rebels improved to 4-2 by edging South Harrison 32-14 and James Monroe handed “A” Greenbrier West their 5th loss of the season in a close contest.

 

 

 

AAA Player of the Week: Christian Hill (RB) Hurricane

AA Player of the Week: Abe Farrow (RB/WR) Oak Hill

A Player of the Week: JT Hensley (QB) Sherman