Having finished the first six weeks of the high school football season it’s interesting to find, the changes from last year to this year, are very minute! Looking at the numbers for each class, in 2015 through the first six weeks we still had 12 teams undefeated (2 in AAA, 5 in AA and 5 in A). This year through the first six weeks, we still have 14 teams undefeated (1 in AAA, 5 in AA and 8 in A)! When we look on the other end of the won/lost column, in 2015 through the first six weeks, we had 11 teams that were still win-less (4 in AAA, 5 in AA and 2 in A). This year through the first six weeks, we still have 12 teams without a win (2 in AAA, 5 in AA and 5 in A). Interesting to note, of the six teams that made the final games in Wheeling last year, only three of them were still undefeated through the first six games last year (Bridgeport and Tolsia, both in Class AA and Magnolia in Class A). The other three teams had combined for four losses during their first six games (Wheeling Park 2, Capital 1 and East Hardy 1). By the way, Wheeling Park also had a tie during the first six games last year. So, while the record through the first six weeks is definitely important, it’s certainly not the end of the season. Now, with the changes in classifications, four losses in Class AA and Class A and quite possibly as few as three losses in both those classes could prove to be fatal. Last year, in Class AA we had 8 teams with a 7-3 record make the playoffs….don’t look for that many 3 loss teams in the playoffs this season. In Class A, we had six three loss teams in the playoffs…..again this year, I don’t think that many will be in the final 16. In Class AAA, with only 29 teams in the running, you will see 7-3 get in…..6-4 get in and, quite possibly, a 5-5 team, if the five wins come with a lot of bonus points!
But, we still have a long way to go and there are a lot of wins still to be had! This week, some of the big games out there include Cabell Midland at Huntington – with already four losses on the season, the Knights must have a win this Friday night if they want to get back into the playoffs. The remaining schedule for Cabell Midland does not have enough weight to get them in. Also on the schedule in Class AAA this Friday night, once beaten Capital will welcome one beaten Hurricane to University of Charleston Stadium while Morgantown, losers of two in a row, will head to Wheeling Park in search of getting back on the winning track. The Patriots are also 4-2 and don’t want to pick up that 3rd loss of the season. In Class AA this weekend, a big game finds (5-1) Weir on the road at (5-0) Fairmont Senior, while a rested Westside Renegades team will travel to Lindside to take on a James Monroe team fresh off their first loss of the season last Friday night at the hands of Nicholas County. Also in Class AA, (5-1) Independence will welcome Class A Summers County to Coal City this Friday night. The Bobcats are (4-1) and coming off a 41-6 victory last week over Class AA Webster County. Also in Class A this weekend, (4-2) Williamstown will look to right the ship as they travel to Buffalo to take on the undefeated Bison. These two teams did not play last year and Williamstown could pick up a lot of points if they could secure the win. Gilmer County will look to stay undefeated as the Titans travel to (4-2) Doddridge County and (5-1) Sherman will have a tough game as they meet up with the (5-1) Bulldogs of Van. Wheeling Central (5-1) will have their hands full as they hit the road to Ohio to battle (6-0) ShadySide and maybe the biggest game in the small schools division this week will feature the undefeated Pirates of Fayetteville taking on the undefeated Grizzlies of Nicholas County from Class AA.
As you can see, there are a lot of great games this weekend so get out and support your favorite school. And, after the games, tune in to High School GAMENIGHT and catch all the scores of all the games played around the state.
Talk to you Friday night!!