By Fred Persinger II
As we enter the final week of the regular season, a lot of teams in the southern part of the state are looking to get into the Top 16 of the playoffs which begin next week. Here is a look at some of the teams that have clinched a spot and some who still have a chance to get into the Top 16.
CLASS AAA
Clinched:
OAK HILL (7-2) – Oak Hill will close out the regular season at home against the Greenbrier East Spartans. Oak Hill will be in the final 16, but even with a win, it looks like the Red Devils will be on the road in the first round – unless they get some help from teams above them.
In the Hunt:
PRINCETON (5-4) – The Tigers will close out the regular season with a matchup against James Monroe. In years past, a win over Class AA James Monroe would help the Tigers to get into the playoffs, but this year the Mavericks are struggling through a 3-6 season. Princeton will need to win and then need some help to get into the final 16. If they do, it looks like a trip to Huntington or Martinsburg in the first round.
GREENBRIER EAST (5-4) – The Spartans have to win at Oak Hill on Friday night to have a chance to get in. Even with a win over the 7-2 Red Devils, Greenbrier East will still need some help to get into the top 16. The one game that could determine the fate of the playoffs for both Greenbrier East and Princeton will be the Hampshire-Frankfort matchup. A win over Frankfort will probably put Hampshire in and keep Princeton and Greenbrier East out.
Eliminated
BECKLEY (3-6) – It has been a tough season for the Flying Eagles. Beckley has lost three in a row, suffering through injuries all season long. It is a young team for the Flying Eagles as Beckley has only had three seniors play significant time this season. One of those seniors who will be playing his final football game in a Beckley uniform is Chase Hancock who has done a little bit of everything for Beckley this season. Chase is the leading rusher on the team, leading receiver and one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball. Beckley closes out its season against Hedgesville on Friday night at Van Meter Stadium for Senior Night. You can hear the game on 99.5 WJLS and WJLS.com
SHADY SPRING (1-8) – The second year in Class AAA for the Shady Spring Tigers has been a struggle. Shady Spring has only one win on the season and that was a week four win over Class AA Independence. The Tigers had to rebuild this season after heavy graduation losses last year and were playing a lot of young players this season as well. Shady Spring will close out the season on the road Friday night as they travel to the eastern panhandle to take on the Musselman Applemen (4-5).
CLASS AA
Clinched:
BLUEFIELD (8-1) – The Bluefield Beavers have been rolling since a last second loss to Class AAA Princeton in week two of the season. Bluefield has won seven in a row in dominating fashion over some good ball clubs, including a 51-15 road win over Class AAA Oak Hill. Bluefield will close out the regular season with a huge showdown against the Wayne Pioneers (9-0) from Mitchell Stadium. There are a lot of people who feel that this matchup will be a preview of a Class AA championship game in Wheeling in about a month. It looks like the winner of this matchup will finish No. 1 in Class AA.
SUMMERS COUNTY (9-1) -The Bobcats have the open week, so they can just sit back and watch scores to see where they will finish in the playoff seedings. As in AAA, the one matchup to watch for Summers County will be Frankfort-Hampshire game. A win by Frankfort means that Summers County could finish 5th, but a Hampshire win could jump the Bobcats up to No. 4, with a chance to host two playoff games.
WYOMING EAST (8-1) -The Warriors are locked into the Class AA playoffs, they just don’t know where they will finish just yet. A win over Liberty (Raleigh) this week will put the Warriors in the top eight for sure, and with some help could finish as high as 5th. A loss to the 4-5 Raiders will put Wyoming East on the road in week one of the playoffs.
NICHOLAS COUNTY (7-2) – The Grizzlies will close out the regular season this week against their rival Richwood (2-7). Even with a win over Richwood, it looks like Nicholas County will need some help to get a home game on the turf at Nicholas County,as it looks like they will finish 9th or 10th with a win. An upset loss to the Lumberjacks will drop Nicholas County to the 12th or 13th seed. This game can be heard on 3WS 95.7 and at 3WS957fm.com
Eliminated:
Liberty(Raleigh) (4-5) vs. Wyoming East
Westside (4-5) vs. River View (4-5)
James Monroe (3-6) vs. Princeton (5-4)
Pikeview (3-6) vs. Midland Trail (4-5) – Thursday Night
Independence (2-7) vs. Fayetteville (3-6) – game can be heard on AM 560 WJLS and WJLS.com
Mount View (1-8) vs. Mingo Central (7-2)
CLASS A:
Clinched:
VALLEY (FAYETTE) (9-0) – The Greyhounds will close out the regular season going for an undefeated campaign on Friday Night when they take on Gilmer County. A win over the 5-4 Titans will keep the Greyhounds in that 3rd spot in the playoffs, unless one of the top two teams gets upset in the final week. An upset loss by Valley would mean the Greyhounds would drop, but should still finish in the top eight to host at least one playoff game.
GREENBRIER WEST (9-1) – The Cavaliers have finished the regular season and wait to see who they will play in the first round of the playoffs. It looks like Greenbrier West will have at least one playoff game at home this year and will need some upsets to happen to move up enough to be able to host two games.
MEADOW BRIDGE (8-2) – Like Greenbrier West, the Wildcats are finished with the regular season and will now sit back and watch this week and see where they will finish. The difference is, it looks like Meadow Bridge, even with a 8-2 record, will probably be on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
Eliminated:
Midland Trail (4-5) vs. Pikeview (3-6) Thursday Night
Fayetteville (3-6) vs. Independence (2-7)
Montcalm (3-7) – Season finished
Sherman (2-8) – Season finished