BEST GAME OF THE SUPER SIX
Class AA: Bridgeport 14, Wayne 13
All three games were excellent—it’s the first time since 2003 all three state championship games were decided by 10 points or less. That year, Parkersburg South, Poca and Moorefield won their title games by a combined nine points. The 2013 Super Six was decided by a combined 13 points.
The best game this year?
Bridgeport’s 14-13 squeaker over Wayne edges Martinsburg’s 9-7 win over Huntington. Both games had late-game dramatics, but the AA title literally came down to the final 0.2 seconds as Wayne just missed on a last-second prayer to the end-zone that would have given the Pioneers their third straight title and sole possession of the state’s winning streak record.
BIGGEST MILESTONE OF THE SUPER SIX
Four in a row for the Bulldogs
Martinsburg became the first Class AAA program to win four consecutive state championships, and the Bulldogs had to work extra for No. 4, edging Huntington 9-7.
The Bulldogs won the 2010 title 30-0 over Brooke, the 2011 title over George Washington 35-27 and the 2012 title over Cabell Midland 38-14.
Martinsburg hasn’t lost to an in-state team now for 36 games in a row—a statistic just as impressive as the four straight championships.
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE SUPER SIX
Blocked punt/safety by Martinsburg’s Tyler Miller
With three games decided by 10 points or less, picking “the biggest play” is impossible. However, how about a little bit of props to Martinsburg’s Miller?
While it was quarterback Malique Watkins taking the game’s MVP, Miller blocked his first punt of the year, leading to what proved to be the game-winning safety. He also led the Bulldogs with seven tackles in a game dominated by defense.
BEST PLAY OF THE SUPER SIX
Madonna quarterback Ross Comis to Eliott Nero
Madonna’s Comis finished the Class A championship game against Greenbrier West with 252 total offensive yards and three touchdowns. His best play, though, came late in the first quarter.
As he was being sacked, Comis flipped the ball over his shoulder/behind his back to an open Eliott Nero who took off for a 19-yard gain. That play led to the game’s first score.
BIGGEST IMPACT BY A FRESHMAN IN THE SUPER SIX
Bridgeport’s Mackenzie Holmes
In only the biggest game of his very young high school career, the Indians’ linebacker intercepted Wayne’s Grant Ferguson at midfield with 7:08 to go in the game, helping preserve his team’s one-point lead. That play came just after the Indians turned the ball over themselves and seemingly had lost momentum.
BEST DEFENSIVE EFFORT IN THE SUPER SIX
Huntington and Martinsburg
For Huntington, it wasn’t enough to win the game, and Martinsburg proved to be the better team overall. But give the Highlanders’ defense credit for the overall numbers they put up against a very talented Martinsburg offense. Huntington held Martinsburg to just five first downs and 83 total yards (-31 in the second half).
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, held Huntington to just 25 offensive yards in the first half.
A slight edge goes to Martinsburg when it comes to yards per play overall. The Bulldogs held Huntington to just 103 yards on 55 plays (1.9 per play). Huntington’s defense held Martinsburg to 83 yards on 40 plays (2.1 per play).
Martinsburg was 1-of-10 on third-downs. Huntington was 2-of-12.
Tough to find two defenses better in the state than what was on display in the Class AAA title game.