CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The 10th week of high school football in West Virginia will be played on Halloween night, but for some a loss could be frightful as the opportunities to secure a post season spot are starting to dwindle.
#1 CAPITAL AT #9 HURRICANE — The Capital Cougars remain at the top of the heap in high school football. Both teams seem assured of a playoff berth — Capital coach Jon Carpenter said Hurricane’s passing game is a concern, noting Redskins’ quarterback Dylan Tinsley and the necessity to get pressure on him.
Hurricane coach Jeremy Taylor said the passing game will certainly be part of the arsenal Friday night as it always is, but Taylor always hopes to establish his team’s ground game. Pounding the football and racking up first downs will be the most effective defense against the high powered offense for Capital.
Hurricane needs to win at least one of its last two to solidify a mid-level seed in the final 16. A win over Capital would only strengthen their standing for the playoffs.
Capital’s starters have really only played one quarter of football in the past two weeks. The non-game at Beckley, followed by the 91 point offensive explosion against Nitro prompted starters to be pulled in the first half.
#12 HUNTINGTON AT #6 SOUTH CHARLESTON — The Black Eagles have been winning with relative ease in recent weeks, but the task will get exponentially harder on Friday night. Huntington features skill and size which will offer one of the better matchups to South Charleston this season.
Both teams come into the game wounded. Highlander’s quarterback Clark Wilson is questionable for the game, while South Charleston running back A.D. Cunningham suffered a severe knee injury last week against Riverside.
A win is much more critical to Huntington, which already owns three losses and needs to shore up the postseason quickly.
GEORGE WASHINGTON AT RIPLEY — The one Kanawha Valley team which desperately needs to win Friday night is George Washington. The Patriots can ill afford another loss. The Patriots are on a three game losing streak and a fourth could leave them on the outside, looking in for the postseason. GW can gain a lot of confidence Friday with a win over the Vikings — but they can’t be looking ahead to Capital coming up next week.
AA #16 HERBERT HOOVER AT #5 MINGO CENTRAL — The last time these two teams played in Mingo County, Superstorm Sandy crushed the field with nearly a foot of snow. Snow is again in the forecast Friday night at the Miners’ home field. Hoover is also in a must win if they want to make the playoffs.
AA #15 SISSONVILLE AT POCA — Sissonville is suddenly back. The Indians travel to Poca to face the Dots. The Indians overcame rough luck early and have amassed a four game winning streak they hope will continue with the Dots and Braxton County left in the regular season. Sissonville’s three losses have been by one point, six points, and seven points, and with only a minimal number of breaks they could be undefeated.
A #13 BUFFALO AT SHERMAN — The Bison have a chance to advance their ranking with a trip to Boone County. The Tide has only one win on the season. With several ranked teams playing each other in Class A Friday night, Buffalo could see a rise in next week’s rankings with a win as some teams ranked ahead of them are assured a loss. Buffalo has its annual rivalry game set for next week against 6-3 Wahama.
Other Kanawha Valley games this week:
Logan at Nitro
Riverside at Parkersburg
St. Albans at Winfield