By: Kristin Kurelic
No. 9 Wheeling Park (3-1-1) at No. 4 Morgantown (5-1)
The Morgantown-Wheeling Park rivalry game always seems to be a wild ride that brings out the best in someone. Last year, that was Wheeling Park.
With less than 90 seconds left, the Patriots converted a third down at the Mohigans’ 33-yard line, scored on the next play and hit the extra point to come from behind to win 24-23.
This year, both teams come in to the matchup near the top of their game and the rankings.
Morgantown defeated Musselman 29-19, after trailing 16-0 early. Jordan Page finished with more than 150 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Zayne Hern threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
Meanwhile, Wheeling Park triumphed over St. Albans, 27-16. The Patriots were led by Savion Johnson, who went 71 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, and finished with 123 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries.
No. 7 Keyser (5-1) at No. 2 Bridgeport (5-0-1)
Keyser enters the house of the defending state champions after its first, and somewhat shocking, loss, to Class AAA Hampshire (1-4). The 17-14 victory was the Trojans’ first of the season, and their first against the Golden Tornado since 2001.
Bridgeport thrashed Elkins, 71-29, this past week, setting the school’s single-game scoring record and gaining 540 yards of offense. The Indians returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and had a 29-0 lead after the first quarter and a 57-7 lead at halftime. Dylan Tonkery finished with 195 rushing yards, all in the first half, and Dante Bonamico added 142 yards.
In 2014, the Indians used dominant defense to defeat Keyser, 31-6, allowing the Golden Tornado just 115 yards of offense.
No. 1 Fairmont Senior (5-0) at University (0-6)
University continued to struggle last week, going on the road to take a 34-8 loss in the cold and rain to Greenbrier East. Starting fullback Isaiah Utt didn’t see the field, thanks to a knee injury. Though the Hawks scored first, it was all Spartans after that.
Fairmont Senior’s last outing was Sept. 25, a 41-23 win against Elkins. Through their five games, the Polar Bears are averaging 38.4 points per game, while giving up 17.4.
No. 7 Bishop Donahue (6-0) at Clay-Battelle (1-4)
After winning their first game, the Cee-Bees dropped the past four, making last week’s bye a much-needed chance to refocus before a visit Mason-Dixon Conference rival Bishop Donahue.
The Cee-Bees lost the majority of their school-best 2014 state semifinal team to graduation, and their young replacements are taking their lumps. Bishop Donahue, which C-B defeated during that playoff run, also graduated many starters.
However, the Bishops have put together a perfect season so far, most recently defeating Conotton Valley (Ohio), 38-7. The Bishops are led by quarterback Noah Martin, who was 18-of-26 passing for 266 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception, against the Rockets.
Other games:
Robert C. Byrd (3-2) at East Fairmont (1-5)
Lewis County (2-4) at North Marion (3-2)
South Harrison (5-0) at Webster County (1-4)
Notre Dame (3-2) at Liberty Harrison (2-4)
Elkins (2-3) at Philip Barbour (0-6)