Week 4 recap: Huntington beats Midland, Martinsburg falls

STATEWIDE — Class AAA No. 1 Huntington made a statement on Friday night, taking down previously unbeaten and No. 2 Cabell Midland, 19-7. It was a Cabell Midland offense that came into the contest outscoring its opponents 173-26 over the first three games of the season. But on Friday, it was Huntington’s defense that ultimately prevailed, despite giving up considerable yardage.

“This was a fabulous football game by two real good football teams,” said Huntington head coach Billy Seals after the win. “I’m really proud of our community – they came out and it was an electric atmosphere. I’m really proud of our kids – they really showed a lot of backbone.”

Midland tallied 341 rushing yards in the contest, but saw many drives stall.

“Honestly, we didn’t play very well on defense tonight,” Seals said. “This is probably the wost we’ve played on defense – obviously Midland had a lot to do with that. But, we played well enough to win.”

Charles Crawford, meanwhile, led Huntington with 109 yards on 12 carries. His 54 yard touchdown scamper with less than four minutes to go ultimately sealed the win for the Highlanders.

Overall on the year, Huntington has given up just 21points through four games defensively.

“Good players make coaches look good,” Seals said. “Right now I have about 15 good football players on the defensive side of the ball that get after it.”

Elsewhere, it was three-time defending state champion Martinsburg falling to a very good out-of-state opponent, Tuscarora, Va. 35-34. The Bulldogs trailed 35-20, but couldn’t quite complete the comeback. Undefeated Tuscarora is at the 5A level in Virginia.

Martinsburg will have its first matchup against an instate opponent next week when the Bulldogs welcome Morgantown. The Mohigans Friday took care of McKinley, D.C. 52-6. Morgantown running back Chazzy Thomas finished the game with 355 yards and five touchdowns.

Morgantown rolled to a 52-6 win over McKinley, D.C. in week four of the season.

Mohigans head coach John Bowers anticipating next week’s matchup with the Bulldogs.

“Martinsburg has been our nemesis recently,” Bowers said. “I have a lot of respect for Coach Walker and that whole staff. They have a great football program – it’ll be two great football programs. It will probably be the game of the week in the state and in the region, it’ll be fun.”

In Wheeling, it was Wheeling Park solidifying itself in the top tier of Class AAA as the undefeated Patriots handled University, 17-6. Park had entered the week No. 4 in the MetroNews Power Rankings. The Patriots’ defense set the tone early, holding University to just 41 yards of offense in the first half.

“We’ve had good battles and this was just another one of those games that was a big battle,” said Wheeling Park head coach Chris Daugherty. “Tonight’s win was a big win for us.”

Park quarterback Zach Phillips finishing the game with 121 yards through the air in the win.

A couple of other notes from AAA, it was No. 7 Oak Hill beating Class AA Nicholas County 47-17 as Jalen Jones ran for 254 yards on 12 carries in the win. Also, No. 9 Pt. Pleasant handled Logan on the road in a battle of unbeatens, 37-21.

In Class AA, it was Wayne having no trouble with Ravenswood, beating the Red Devils 57-6 behind 322 rushing yards. Through three games, the Pioneers have outscored their opponents 148-13. Wayne has been almost impossible to run the football against – in 117 opponent rushing attempts, the Pioneers have given up just 124 combined rushing yards on the year.

Also, it was No. 2 Sissonville edging Scott 22-20 as the Indians totaled 346 yards of offense – 260 of those came on the ground.

In a battle of Class AA No. 4’s, it was Summers County edging Wyoming East, 17-14. Also, No. 9 Bridgeport handled No. 10 Robert C. Byrd, 42-14.

Out of Class A, Moorefield defeated Tucker County 33-14, handing the Mountain Lions their first regular season loss since 2011.

Also, No. 8 Meadow Bridge defeated Fayetteville 26-14 to stay unbeaten on the year. Meadow Bridge running back Jake Parker finished with 327 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries in the win. Parker overall on the year has 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns through four games.

It was an exciting finish for Doddridge County as the Bulldogs completed around a 30 yard touchdown pass in the game’s final play to beat Wirt County, 18-16.

You can view the complete MetroNews Scoreboard here.





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