#5 Oak Hill (5-0) at #4 Point Pleasant (5-0)
“It’s definitely our biggest test of the year.”
Those were the words from Point Pleasant head coach David Darst as the Big Blacks prepare for an undefeated showdown with Oak Hill Friday night.
The Red Devils possess first team all-state running back Jalen Jones, who has already rushed for 970 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year.
“They run a nice scheme offensively,” Darst said. “They are the first team this year that I have seen that has a plan offensively. They will run certain sets and run three or four plays off of each one of them. They have gotten better at throwing the football this year.”
This particular game has been circled on Point Pleasant’s calendar since the summer.
“This game is definitely hyped up all it is to be,” Darst said. “It’s our defense against one of the top running backs in West Virginia. We’re going to have to step up to the challenge if we want to win this football game.”
Riverside (1-5) at #15 Spring Valley (4-2)
Spring Valley will be looking to extend its two game winning streak when Riverside comes calling.
While Spring Valley was victorious against Winfield last week, the Timberwolves didn’t make things easy on themselves.
“We lost four fumbles and had to play with our backs against the wall the whole game defensively,” Spring Valley head coach Brad Dingess said.
Riverside won its first game of the season last week against St. Albans.
“Coach Freeman is doing a good job with them,” Dingess said. “They are really young, but they keep improving each week. They aren’t the same team they were week one. It’s going to be a tough one for us.”
Scott (3-3) at #1 Wayne (5-0)
As Wayne prepares to start the second half of its regular season Friday night, there may not be another team in the state that is more comfortable holding down No. 1.
However, Wayne coach Tom Harmon knows is still looking for ways his team can improve heading down the stretch.
“We are always trying to figure out ways to get better,” he said. “At least now, we have a body of work to figure out what we do well and things we still need to work on. We just have to take them as they come — one at a time.”
So far on the season, fullback Mason Hodge and quarterback Grant Ferguson have spearheaded the rushing attack as Hodge has amassed 448 yards and five touchdowns and Ferguson has gained 352 yards with five touchdowns.
Defensively, the Pioneers have only given up 44 points through their first five games while scoring nearly 50 points per game.
# 7 Cabell Midland (5-1) at #8 Capital (4-1)
Capital will be taking on its second consecutive Cabell County opponent when the Cougars play host to the Knights. Capital will be looking to overcome a 24-10 loss to No. 1 Huntington last week.
Meanwhile, Cabell Midland dispatched Woodrow Wilson last week, 42-0. In the victory, running back Kasey Thomas finished with 94 yards and a touchdown while fullback Teran Barnitz finished with 95 yards and a touchdown.
For the season, Thomas ranks fifth in Class AAA with 786 yards to go along with 12 touchdowns.
Last year, when the Cougars and Knights got together it was Cabell Midland that kept its unbeaten season alive with a 21-13 victory.
Bye Week
Huntington (6-0)
Other Games
Lincoln County (0-5) at Greenbrier East (3-3)
Tolsia (2-3) at Roane County (3-2)
Twin Valley, Va. at Hannan (1-4)