Week One – Few Surprises

Week number one of the 2013 high school football season is now in the books and there were very few surprises.  One could argue the final score in the Wheeling Park vs. Keyser game was a little unexpected but no one should be surprised by which team won the game.  Everyone I have talked to so far this season expect the Patriots to have an outstanding year!  They will certainly be tested once again this week when they head to Bridgeport to face the always tough Indians.

Some other games that will certainly draw some interest from around the state include the Spring Valley Timberwolves travelling to Huntington to play the Highlanders.  Both teams won rather easily in week one and the rivalry between the two Class AAA programs is as good as any in the state.  Over the last three years, Spring Valley has won two of the three meetings, but last season Huntington shut out the Timberwolves 17-0.  Also in Class AAA this weekend, George Washington (1-0) will travel to Ashland, Ky. to battle Paul Blazer High School.  Last year, the Tomcats defeated the Patriots 21-14 in a game played in Charleston.  Another rival game this weekend finds the (1-0) Princeton Tigers hosting the (1-0) Bluefield Beavers.  The two teams combined for well over 100 points in their wins last week and even though it is AAA vs. AA, the lower classed Beavers of Bluefield have dominated the series with the AAA Tigers over the years.  Look for a fast paced game on the artificial surface at Anne S. Hunnicutt Stadium in Princeton this Friday night.

In Class AA, in addition to Bridgeport hosting Wheeling Park and Bluefield travelling to Princeton, the Ravenswood Red Devils will open their season by hosting the Highlanders of Webster County.  Head Coach Mick Price and his Red Devils were open last week and you know they were in the stands in Richwood as Webster County fell to the Lumberjacks in week number one.  Also in Class AA this weekend, it’s the battle for pride and the “Coal Shovel Trophy” in Wyoming County as the Westside Renegades will make the short trip to take on the Warriors of Wyoming East.  The last three years, Westside has won all three meetings and have outscored Wyoming East 134-60!

In Class A this weekend the Maroon Knights of Wheeling Central Catholic will try and find some offense as they take on the Bulldogs of Westinghouse High from Pittsburgh.  In their opener last Thursday night, the Maroon Knights struggled against Harrison Central winning only 7-6.  Mike Young now has Parker Henry back at quarterback and is looking for some positive number from the talented signal caller.  Also in Class A this weekend, the talented Bishops of Bishop Donahue will welcome River Local from Ohio and the Moorefield Yellow Jackets will entertain a tough Frankfort team from Class AA.

Certainly some good news concerning high school football this weekend in the Mountain State will be the weather.  Last weekend, several teams had numerous players going down from cramps and dehydration because of the hot, humid weather.  This weekend, the hot, humid conditions are expected to be replaced by comfortable, cool night time weather conditions.

Don’t forget, GAMENIGHT will be on across the state immediately after your local high school football game and if for some reason you can’t find it on the radio in your area, listen in at wvmetronews.com.

Talk to you Friday night!







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