By: Michael Carvelli
AAA No. 5 Morgantown (4-0) vs. AAA No. 2 Martinsburg (4-0)
In the last three years when these two teams have squared off, the game hasn’t been decided by more than a touchdown — and don’t be surprised if that’s the case once again this week when the Bulldogs travel to take on the Mohigans.
Morgantown had its way with Washington last week, running away with a 42-7 victory as the offense clicked on all cylinders. Maverick Wolfley led the running game with 97 yards and two touchdowns while quarterback Logan Holgorsen threw three touchdowns to go along with his 153 passing yards.
The Bulldogs also had an easy time in their previous game with a 69-7 win over Spring Mills.
This is the first time this season Morgantown will play a team with at least one win coming into the contest.
AA No. 2 Fairmont Senior (3-0) vs. AAA No. 3 University (4-0)
Big tests are on the horizon for both the Polar Bears and Hawks.
University stepped up in a big way a week ago, with Trevor Barnhart and Isaiah Utt combining 135 rushing yards on 28 carries as it knocked off defending Class AAA state champion Wheeling Park 28-19.
Jake Abbott and Bryson Gilbert continued to prove that they can be a force to be reckoned with last week. The Polar Bears cruised past Buckhannon-Upshur while Abbott and Gilbert combined for 400 yards and five touchdowns. Abbott ran for 87 yards and three touchdowns while also throwing for 108 yards while Gilbert had 194 all-purpose yards as two scores.
Fairmont Senior’s defense has also been stout all season, led by Dante and Darius Stills, allowing just 11.3 points per game.
A No. 3 South Harrison (3-0) at A No. 4 Moorefield (4-0)
Two of the top four teams in Class A will duke it out this week, with Moorefield looking to crack South Harrison’s defense better than any other team the Hawks have faced yet this season.
The Hawks have scored 40 or more points in all three of their games this season while allowing less than seven points per game.
Much of their damage offensively has been done by running backs Cam Barnette and Freddy Canary. Barnette and Canary both ran for more than 250 yards in South Harrison’s win over Grafton two weeks ago. The Hawks were off last week.
In last week’s win over Tucker County, Moorefield was led by Jacob Stickley’s 21 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown while Varsey Bright scored five times — two on the ground and three receiving — with 165 all-purpose yards.
AA No. 1 Bridgeport (4-0) at AA No. 12 Lincoln (3-1)
Bridgeport will look to move its unbeaten streak to 31 games as it takes on Harrison County foe Lincoln this week.
The Indians are led by running back J.T. Harris, who has 491 yards through four games this season. Quarterback Gordon Swiger played a big role in last week’s blowout win over rival Robert C. Byrd, completing both of his pass attempts for 42 yards and two touchdowns while also running 56 yards and a pair of scores in a 41-7 victory.
Bridgeport hasn’t lost to a Harrison County team since 2010.
Lincoln is led by dynamic dual-threat quarterback Kobie Carpenter and wide receiver Chase Riley in the passing game. In last week’s 48-0 win over East Fairmont, Carpenter 281 yards and two touchdowns while also returning an interception 95 yards for a score. Riley has become one of the area’s leading career receivers.
Other Games:
Buckhannon-Upshur (1-2) at AAA No. 9 Princeton (3-1)
AA No. 6 Lewis County (3-1) at Grafton (3-1)
Preston (1-3) at AA No. 8 North Marion (2-1)
A No. 13 Clay-Battelle (3-0) at Valley Wetzel (1-3)
Liberty (2-2) at Robert C. Byrd (1-3)
Philip Barbour (0-4) at Tucker County (1-3)
Webster County (2-1) at Notre Dame (1-3)
Idle: East Fairmont, Elkins