MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Martinsburg, Huntington and Greenbrier West all secured spots in next week’s Super Six from Wheeling as the semifinal round of the playoffs wrapped up on Saturday.
Class AAA’s title game will feature No. 2 Martinsburg and top seed Huntington as the Bulldogs go for their fourth straight title. Martinsburg on Saturday got off to a quick start to beat No. 3 Capital, 35-21.
“Our guys showed up today and they played hard,” said Martinsburg head coach Dave Walker. “It was a team effort and I’m really proud of what they’ve done. Hopefully we can keep it going one more week.”
The Bulldogs scored on their opening possession and then recovered the ensuing kickoff that led to another touchdown, putting them up 14-0 early in the first quarter.
Down in the second half 28-7, Capital eventually closed its deficit to 28-21 with just under five minutes to go. But Martinsburg’s Deamonte Lindsay went 35 yards for a touchdown on the Bulldogs’ next drive, sealing the win. Lindsay finished the game with 114 yards on the ground and three total touchdowns.
The win was Martinsburg’s 15th straight playoff win and 35th straight against a West Virginia opponent.
“We may not be as talented in certain areas (this year), but their work ethic is really phenomenal, and their attention to detail,” Walker said of his club. “They’ve really made themselves into a good football team.”
The Bulldogs have also won 43 games in a row at home.
No. 1 Huntington, meanwhile, eliminated No. 5 Wheeling Park 34-21 after leading 21-0 at the break. The Highlanders ran the ball 62 times for 361 yards – Paden Christian led the way with 163 yards on 30 carries.
The Class A title game will feature No. 1 Madonna against No. 7 Greenbrier West. The Cavaliers on Saturday beat No. 14 Magnolia, 21-14. Greenbrier West quarterback Malik Boatwright connected with Garrett Smith for the game winning 18-yard touchdown pass with just 38 seconds to go in the game.
Boatwright finished with 200 yards of total offense in the win. Magnolia’s Drew Keller had over 100 yards and two scores in the loss.