STATEWIDE — No. 1 Huntington (6-0) continued its impressive 2013 campaign with a 24-10 win over No. 2 Capital (4-1) on Friday night.
“We executed very well and played a great Capital team who makes you cover the whole field,” said Huntington head coach Billy Seals. “I’m really proud of our kids – we played in another 1 vs. 2 game, I’m tired of playing in those.”
The game overall was tighter than the final 14-point differential indicates. The Highlanders led just 7-0 at the half. Down 17-3 in the fourth, Capital’s Kashaun Haley scored the Cougars’ lone touchdown, capping off a 16 play, 71-yard drive to tighten the game at 17-10 with just 33 seconds to go.
On the ensuing onside kick, Huntington’s Nick Tubbs returned the ball 62 yards for the game’s final score. The 10 points scored against the Highlanders are the most this season – through six games, Huntington has surrendered just 38 total points defensively.
“If anyone else has played six better opponents than what we’ve played, I’d like to see it,” Seals said. “It’s been a tough six games and I’m proud of our kids to get through that brutal part of the schedule – but, we have four tough ones still left.”
Also in Class AAA, George Washington (5-0) continues its undefeated season as the Patriots pounded Princeton, 40-14. GW running back Draven Riffe was outstanding, totaling 355 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries.
Wheeling Park (5-0) drilled East Liverpool, Ohio 52-0. The Patriots scored put up 310 offensive yards and 45 points in the first half alone.
Pt. Pleasant and Oak Hill both won games, setting up a pivotal battle of unbeatens next week in Mason County. The Big Blacks (5-0) took down Brooke 35-7 as Jon Peterson collected six sacks. Cody Mitchell, meanwhile, ran for 148 yards – he’s gone for over 100 yards in every game this season.
Oak Hill (5-0), meanwhile, dominated Shady Spring, 52-12. Jalen Jones finished with 160 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. The Red Devils, in all, collected 469 rushing yards in the win, to go along with 83 yards through the air.
No. 7 Martinsburg (5-1) beat Washington 34-0 as quarterback Malique Watkins, who was ruled ineligible by the WVSSAC, received word earlier in the day the injunction that allowed him to play last week against Morgantown would stay in effect. The SSAC, though, could still take the case to the West Virginia Supreme Court.
Regardless, Watkins finished Friday’s game with 105 yards on 19 carries. It was running back Eric Brown who stole the show, putting up 145 rushing yards and three scores on just 12 carries.
In Class AA, No. 5 Bridgeport (5-1) made a statement, pelting No. 1 Fairmont Senior (4-1) 37-14. Indians’ running back Anthony Bonamico finished the game with 280 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
No. 15 Keyser picked up a nice win over Class AAA No. 10 Hampshire, 49-20. Also, No. 8 Wyoming East improved to 5-1 with a 14-12 win over No. 12 River View. No. 3 Wayne pulled away from No. 11 Mingo Central in the second half, picking up a 40-12 win.
In Class A, No. 2 St. Marys (5-0) gave No. 1 Williamstown (4-1) its first loss, 32-13. The Blue Devils forced four turnovers in the convincing win.
Also, No. 5 Valley Fayette (5-0) handed No. 9 Meadow Bridge its first loss of the year, 16-8.
For a complete look at the MetroNews High School Scoreboard, click here.