MetroNews Power Rankings: Week 1

The MetroNews high school football power rankings are voted upon weekly by a panel of radio broadcasters and sports writers across West Virginia. The rankings include season record, total points and first-place votes in parenthesis.

Class AAA

RANK TEAM POINTS
1 MARTINSBURG (0-0) 90 (18)
Last year: 13-1, STATE CHAMPION
This week: vs. HD Woodson (D.C)
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: The Bulldogs are going for the elusive fourth-straight Class AAA title. Until an instate team can knock them off, it’s likely they will be at the top of these rankings for a while.
2 MORGANTOWN (0-0) 63
Last year: 10-3, SEMIFINALS
This week: vs. Brooke
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Running back Chazzy Thomas returns from his late season-ending injury in 2012 as the Mohigans have all kinds of potential. But will that be enough to challenge Martinsburg?
3 CAPITAL (0-0) 35
Last year: 7-4, PLAYOFFS OPENING ROUND
This week: Bye
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Sophomore quarterback Tyrhee Pratt, and a full cast of returning playmakers, have expectations the highest they have been under fourth year head coach Jon Carpenter.
4 CABELL MIDLAND (0-0) 26
Last year: 13-1, STATE RUNNER-UP
This week: at Riverside
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: A perfect regular season in 2012 gave the Knights the top seed in the postseason. Now, Cabell Midland must find replacements offensively for backs David Gaydosz and Lowell Farley.
5 WHEELING PARK (0-0) 15
Last year: 7-4, PLAYOFFS OPENING ROUND
This week: vs. Keyser
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Expectations for this Wheeling Park team are high with a wealth of talent back. Early season matchups against two of the better teams out of Class AA (Keyser and Bridgeport) are intriguing right out of the gate.
Also receiving votes:
University 13, Huntington 12, George Washington, 7, Spring Valley 5, South Charleston 2, Hurricane 2

Class AA

RANK TEAM POINTS
1 WAYNE (0-0) 90 (18)
Last year: 14-0, STATE CHAMPION
This week: vs. Tolsia
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Wayne has won two straight Class AA state championships and 23 straight games overall. Easy pick for the top spot in Class AA heading into 2013.
2 KEYSER (0-0) 61
Last year: 12-2, STATE RUNNER-UP
This week: at Wheeling Park
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Keyser returns the bulk of its 2012 state runner-up team. Quarterback Cody Eversole, running back Blake Ravenscroft and fullback Danny Fife will all make Keyser a tough out each week.
3 BRIDGEPORT (0-0) 48
Last year: 9-3, STATE SEMIFINALS
This week: at Buckhannon Upshur
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Bridgeport scored just 14 combined points in two losses to Keyser in 2012 – part of the reason behind the Indians adding in shotgun and pistol formations for 2013. Quarterback A.C. Caldera appears to be a solid fit for the system early on.
4 BLUEFIELD (0-0) 40
Last year: 9-3, STATE QUARTERFINALS
This week: vs. Graham (Va.)
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Big picture of the season aside, all eyes for the Beavers right now are on the opening season rivalry game with Graham – especially after last year’s 23-21 loss.
5 ROBERT C. BYRD (0-0) 12
Last year: 11-2, STATE SEMIFINALS
This week: at Fairmont Senior
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: RCB loses a lot from 2012 as head coach Bruce Carey said things may be ‘shaky’ early on. Junior running back Ben D’Annunzio, however, gives the Eagles a solid foundation offensively.
Also receiving votes:
Scott 7, Frankfort 4, Fairmont Senior 4, Nicholas County 3, Chapmanville 1

Class A

RANK TEAM POINTS
1 WAHAMA (0-0) 85 (14)
Last year: 14-0, STATE CHAMPION
This week: vs. Fayetteville
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Wahama returns plenty of weapons from its 2012 championship, including all-state running back Kane Roush and its entire offensive line. The White Falcons enter this season with 31 straight regular season wins going back to 2009.
2 WHEELING CENTRAL (0-0) 58 (3)
Last year: 7-4, PLAYOFFS OPENING ROUND
This week: vs. Harrison Central (OH)
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Senior Parker Henry returns at quarterback after tearing his ACL prior to 2012. The Maroon Knights will be looking to bounce back from their first opening round playoff loss since 1996.
3 MADONNA (0-0) 43
Last year: 12-2, STATE RUNNER-UP
This week: at Beallsville (OH)
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Quarterback Ross Comis leads the Blue Dons into 2013 after coming up a point short in overtime of last year’s state championship game.
4 MAGNOLIA (0-0) 42
Last year: 11-2, STATE SEMIFINALS
This week: vs. Linsly
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Gone is all-state receiver Stephen Rogalski. But all-state selections Drew Keller and Kage Rhode both return, giving the Blue Eagles one of the best running back combos in Class A.
5 GREENBRIER WEST (0-0) 16
Last year: 10-2, STATE QUARTERFINALS
This week: at Nicholas County
Ranking last week: N/A
Notes: Senior quarterback Malik Boatwright leads the way offensively for Greenbrier West as the Cavaliers look to build off of 2012’s quarterfinal run.
Also receiving votes:
Tucker County 8 (1), St. Marys 8, Clay Battelle 7, Bishop Donahue 2




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