#2 (Class AA) Bluefield (6-1) at #8 (Class AAA) Oak Hill (6-1)
One of the biggest matchups in the state will take place at John P. Duda Stadium in Oak Hill on Friday Night as the Bluefield Beavers make their way to Fayette County to take on the Oak Hill Red Devils. The Beavers have been rolling since their week two loss to Princeton, coming off of a 61-0 win over Westside last week.
Bluefield was able to get off to a quick start, scoring three times in the first quarter, leading to a 49-0 at the break. Bluefield used a balanced attack in the game as quarterback R.J. Bourne was 7 for 9 passing for 152 yards and two scores. D.J. Stewart added 95 yards on the ground. Overall, Bluefield rushed for 351 yards as a team.
For Oak Hill, the Red Devils were able to bounce back from their first loss of the season with a 27-17 win over Lewis County last week. Jarrell Green rushed for 105 yards on 13 carries to lead Oak Hill. Jalen Jones rushed for only 58 yards in the game, but was able to score four times for Oak Hill. Mark Metzger led the way for Lewis County with 131 yards on 27 carries and one score.
This is not a must win for Oak Hill as far as its playoff chances go, but a win over Bluefield will go a long way in helping secure that spot, with two games left against Class AAA teams Beckley and Greenbrier East.
Bluefield and Oak Hill will battle Friday Night at 7:30 p.m.
Beckley (3-4) at Princeton (4-4)
The matchup this week between two rivals becomes an elimination game as Beckley and Princeton meet up. Beckley comes into the game continuing its up and down season. Last week, Beckley was shutout for the third time this year, falling 34-0 to Capital.
Beckley had some chances on both sides of the ball in the game against the Cougars. Beckley gained just over 200 yards of offense in the game, but had no answer for the quickness Capital had defensively.
For the Princeton Tigers, their season has been all about streaks. Princeton started off the season with two wins, then went through a stretch of four straight losses, before winning its last two games.
Last Saturday, Princeton defeated Riverside 49-10. In that game, the Tigers were able to score on their first six possessions to lead 42-0 at the break. It was the two-man running game for the Tigers as quarterback Jay Palmer rushed for 253 yards on just seven carries, scoring on runs of 75, 83, and 33 yards – all in the first half. Running back Tahj Sho-Johnson carried the ball eight times for 138 yards. In all, the Tigers picked up 599 yards on the ground while only attempting one pass in the game.
This will be the 56th meeting between these two teams, dating back to 1924. Beckley has a 35-19-1 advantage over the Tigers all time, winning five of the last six meetings, including 32-14 last year.
Game time from Princeton is set for 7:30 on Friday Night and you can hear the game beginning at 6:00 p.m. on 99.5 WJLS and WJLS.com.
#4 (Class AA) Summers Co. (7-1) at Mt. View (1-6)
The Summers County Bobcats continue to play well in the 2013 season. Last week, Summers County defeated Meadow Bridge 39-32 in a game that saw Isaiah Brown score five times in the win for the Bobcats on senior night. Brown finished the game with 188 yards on 11 carries, while T.J. Smith totaled 120 yards. Jaquan Ayers also ran for 90 yards to help Summers County in the win as well.
Summers County will now go on the road for the final two games of the regular season, traveling to Welch Friday night to take on the Mount View Golden Knights. It has been a struggle this season for Mt. View, coming off a 52-22 loss to James Monroe last week. Mt. View’s Andrew Hazzard rushed for 152 yards on just seven carries in the loss
Summers County and Mount View will play Friday Night at 7:30 p.m.
SOME OF THE OTHER AREA GAMES:
#2 (AAA) Point Pleasant (7-0) at Shady Spring (1-6)
Greenbrier East (4-4) at Parkersburg South (2-5)
#7 (AA) Sissionville (6-1) at Sherman (2-6)
#13 (AAA) Logan (5-2) at #13 (AA) Mingo Central (5-2)
River View (3-4) at #11(AA) Nicholas County (6-2)
Liberty Raleigh (3-4) at James Monroe (2-5) – game can be heard on AM 560 WJLS and WJLS.com
#3 (A) Valley-Fayette (7-0) at Richwood (2-5)-game can be heard on 3WS 95.7FM and 3ws957fm.com
James River, Va. at #7 (A) Greenbrier West (7-1)
Pikeview (3-5) at #13 (A) Meadow Bridge (6-2)
Buffalo (0-7) at Fayetteville (2-5)
Midland Trail (3-4) at Hannan (1-6)
Montcalm (1-7) at Tygarts Valley (0-7)
#5 (AA) Wyoming East-Idle
Independence (2-6) – Idle
Westside (3-5) – Idle