3:06pm: Hotline with Dave Weekley

Defending champions all win on Friday night of opening weekend

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Martinsburg, Bridgeport and Madonna all entered Friday’s season openers as defending state champions — and all three delivered solid victories to begin the 2014 campaign.

Four-time defending Class AAA state champion No. 1 Martinsburg beat a tough H.D. Woodson (DC) team 24-7. The Bulldogs broke things open in the second half after a tied 7-7 score at the break (that first touchdown was a 21 yard scamper by running back Deamonte Lindsay). Martinsburg quarterback Carter Walburn finished the game 5-of-7 through the air for 107 yards — he also scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground in the win.

Class AA defending state champion No. 2 Bridgeport handled Buckhannon-Upshur 38-7 behind running back Dante Bonamico who finished with five touchdowns and 166 yards on the ground. The Indians totaled 414 yards of offense in the win.

No. 6 Madonna entered defense of its Class A state championship with a whole group of new faces — but that certainly wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard as the Blue Dons pounded Beallsville (OH) 47-13.

Photo gallery: Nitro 28, Poca 12

One of the best games in the state saw Class A No. 10 Man edge Class AAA Logan 32-26 in overtime. The Hillbillies led 20-7 after three quarters before Logan stormed back in the fourth behind a 75 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by junior Matthew Cox and a seven yard touchdown run from quarterback Ryan Miller with 33 seconds left to tie the game.

The ensuing extra point was blocked, sending the game into overtime tied at 26-26. After Logan failed to score on its first overtime possession, Man won the contest on a 14 yard touchdown run from senior Mikle Rowe.

Class AAA No. 4 Huntington spoiled the debut of Scott Tinsley as offensive coordinator with Hurricane as the Highlanders pulled away from the Redskins 37-6. That stingy Huntington defense held Hurricane to minus-44 yards rushing and just 78 total yards on the night. Huntington running back Stefan Gibbs led the Highlanders with 100 yards on the ground, including a 66 yard touchdown scamper.

Huntington quarterback Clark Wilson finished 5-of-8 through the air for 81 yards. He also added 75 yards on the ground as well.

More: Huntington coach Billy Seals on MetroNews GameNight

“I thought he played well,” Huntington coach Billy Seals said. “I thought he threw the ball as well as he has since he’s been here. I thought our wide receivers did a great job of making catches and our offensive line did a great job in pass protecting.

“As the game went on, we felt like we started to control the line of scrimmage,” he continued. “We’re a big physical team on the offensive line and as the game went on I thought we started to have our way up front.”

No. 6 Wheeling Park beat Taylor Allderdice (PA) 30-6 as running back Theo Blackston filled the void left by Savion Johnson’s injury by rushing for a school-record 296 yards.

In Class AA, No. 3 Bluefield and rival Graham (VA) combined for 124 points as the Beavers won 76-48. No. 6 Keyser erased a 30-14 halftime deficit to beat Clearfield (PA) 43-30. No. 8 Mingo Central picked up a nice season opening win, knocking off No. 10 Wyoming East on the road 37-28.

In Class A, No. 2 St. Marys shutout Class AA Ritchie County 47-0 and No. 3 Greenbrier West edged Nicholas County 20-14. No. 5 Bishop Donahue beat Cameron 42-18 as quarterback Jesse Padlow finished with 254 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Class AA No. 7 Frankfort beat Class A No. 7 Moorefield 34-12 and Class AA Ravenswood beat Class A No. 9 Wahama 27-6, scoring 27 unanswered points.

For all of the scores from Friday night around the state, click on the MetroNews HS Football Scoreboard.





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