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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In arguably the most anticipated Class AAA game of the season, No. 1 Capital (12-0) handed four-time defending state champion Martinsburg (11-2) its first instate loss since 2009 — and it wasn’t close.
The Cougars, who won 35-7, led 21-0 at the break and used a stifling defense throughout, giving up just the one touchdown to the Bulldogs.
Capital was led by Kashuan Haley who finished with 144 yards on 15 carries — he also added two touchdowns. Capital’s Silas Nazario also scored twice, while quarterback Tyrhee Pratt completed 7 of 11 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns as well.
“Our kids are wild and crazy, but they like to play football,” said Capital coach Jon Carpenter. “But now they know how to control their emotions and how to get ready during the week. Right now that’s paying off for them.”
It’s the first trip to the state championship game for Capital since 1996.
“That’s the only promise we made those kids — if they would stick together and compete, good things can happen to you,” Carpenter said. “Our message has been, since day one for five years, if they would stick together that this could happen. To know we’re on the edge of (a state championship) is pretty exciting.”
Martinsburg had won 18 straight playoff games and 43 straight games over West Virginia opponents.
The Cougars will face rival South Charleston (11-2) in the Class AAA title game as the Black Eagles took care of Huntington 35-21. Junior quarterback Kentre Grier threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns in the win — he rushed for another pair of scores as well.
“He had a great game and threw the ball really well today,” said South Charleston coach Donnie Mays. “He did a nice job of keeping his eyes downfield and escaped the pressure of Huntington several times, which really helped our cause.”
The win avenged a 20-16 regular season loss to Huntington.
“Overall, it was a good win for our team,” Mays continued. “We took advantage of our opportunities and our defense really did a nice job. This has been our ultimate goal — we wanted to play 14 games in 2014. Now that we’re there, we might as well go try and win the thing.”
Capital, meanwhile, won the regular season game over South Charleston 45-21.
In Class AA, the championship game will feature No. 1 Bridgeport (12-1) against No. 2 Frankfort (13-0). Bridgeport Saturday rolled No. 5 Wayne 48-7 in a rematch of last year’s title game. Wayne scored first to take an early 7-0 lead before the Indians rolled off 48 straight points.
“I really challenged our players, because I wasn’t really happy how we played last week offensively against RCB,” said Bridgeport coach Josh Nicewarner. “But I’m still having a hard time believing the win (over Wayne) happened as dominate as it did.”
Bridgeport’s Dylan Tonkery rushed for 257 yards and four touchdowns in the win — he had all of those scores and 240 yards in the first half alone as the Indians led 35-7 at the half. Those touchdowns for Tonkery came on runs of 10, 42, 65 and 68 yards.
Frankfort, meanwhile, contained Westside quarterback Justin Cogar, dominating the Renegades 49-16.
“We played very well today and I’m so happy and proud of our kids and the effort they put forth,” said Frankfort coach Kevin Whiteman.
It’s the first trip to the state championship game in school history for the Falcons.
“It’s been my dream for years for us to make it to the final game,” Whiteman said. “When everyone left the fieldhouse, I sat at my office desk and cried for about an hour, I just had to get rid of all of that emotion. It’s just a great feeling.”
Falcons’ quarterback Gage Shaffer threw for 191 yards offensively and collected two interceptions on defense. Frankfort senior running back Brady Watson added 133 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries in the win.
“Gage has done an excellent job for us and he’s very humble — he’s gotten a lot of attention since he committed to Maryland,” Whiteman said. “But I get kind of upset because I don’t think he gets the credit throughout the state that I think he deserves. Hopefully after the playoff run and maybe he can put on a good show next week and people will see that he’s a good quarterback.”
The Class A championship game will feature No. 1 St. Marys (13-0) against No. 6 Williamstown (11-2). The Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon edged Clay-Battelle (11-2) 20-14. St. Marys running back Jeremy Pratt finished with 141 rushing yards on 25 carries in the win.
“We knew it was going to be a knock-down, drag-out game,” said St. Marys coach Jodi Mote. “Thankfully we made more plays in the four quarters than they did and now it’s on to Wheeling for the first time.”
Clay-Battelle quarterback Jarret Hockenberry completed 22 of 45 passes for 319 yards to lead the Cee-Bees in the loss — but several key interceptions helped preserve the win for St. Marys.
Williamstown on Friday night beat Tug Valley 42-28. Quarterback Dakota Watson led the Yellowjackets, carrying the ball 37 times for 299 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
“We played real well on defense,” said Williamstown coach Terry Smith. “And then Dakota (Watson) just does everything for us. He’s run for over 2,000 yards on the season and has thrown for over 1,000 yards as well.”
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