By: Eric Little – Seven Ranges Radio
It’s not always easy to measure effort in athletics from an outside perspective. What we often perceive as a lack of effort can often be something else entirely. Maybe that player’s tired, or injured, or dealing with an internal problem that we’ll never know? Either way, I try really hard not to refer to what I sometimes see on the field as a “lack of effort”, because who am I to say what is or isn’t, especially at this point of the season?
It’s much easier to see effort plays when they happen though. When players finish tackles, that’s effort. When players break tackles, that’s effort. When warm ups and stretching looks crisp, that’s effort. When the defense works to force takeaways, that’s effort. I could go on forever with this.
Not every team is able or willing to bring the same effort in the ninth week of the season like they did in August. The real elite teams are the ones that work through whatever adversity to deliver maximum effort in an attempt to win. Here are this week’s games. Dates/times listed:
St. Marys (7-0) at South Harrison (7-0) – Friday 7:30
The stakes are pretty high for this rematch from last year’s quarterfinals. Both teams come in unbeaten and a week removed from big wins. St. Marys demolished Magnolia 49-7. Even though the Blue Eagles are just 1-7 this season, they’re still the defending Class A state champions and a longtime nemesis for St. Marys. South Harrison stayed perfect though a win against the only team that kept them from being perfect in the 2015 regular season – Tyler Consolidated.
In St. Marys’ quarterfinal win over South Harrison last year, the Blue Devils worked their running game to near-perfection. Last week, that same running game led St. Marys. Jaiden Smith, Will Billeter and Braden Barnhart ran for two touchdowns each.
But the Blue Devils REALLY closed things out a year ago in the playoffs with a strong defensive effort that frustrated South Harrison all night long. Last week, Magnolia’s seven points came on special teams. In short, St. Marys is doing the same things well this year they did well in last year’s playoffs.
South Harrison had a strong second half last week against Tyler Consolidated, turning a 34-27 halftime lead into an 18-point victory. The Hawks racked up 21 first downs and a whopping 465 yards, most of those coming on the ground.
For a team that faded in the second half last year in both their regular season loss to Tyler and their postseason loss to St. Marys, the Hawks showed a real tendency last week to be better in the second half than they were in the first.
This game is going to come down to rushing defense. The team that holds their other’s rushing game in check – or more in check than the other, at least – has a strong chance to come away with the win. Expect a special teams score to maybe come into play this week, a facet that may favor St. Marys.
Smith is an explosive threat in the kick and punt return game for the Blue Devils and a big return, or even six points, may be what’s needed to bust open what should be a close game. This game will air locally on Lite Rock 93R (93.9 FM) and online at www.literock93r.com.
Tyler Consolidated (4-3) at Magnolia (1-7) – Friday 7:30
Both of these teams are looking to bounce back from crushing defeats, but each defeat was crushing in its own way. For the Silver Knights, they allowed nearly 500 yards of total offense while South Harrison hung 57 points on them.
Magnolia had to feel like they were really turning a corner while working through one of the toughest Class A schedules in the state…until they ran into St. Marys. The Blue Eagles didn’t score offensively and were limited to fewer than a hundred total yards of total offense and negative yards in the rushing game.
Much like with St. Marys, this game is huge for Tyler Consolidated because of who the opponent is, and not their record this particular season. It would be a statement win for Ryan Walton’s program at Tyler Consolidated to defeat the Blue Eagles, even in a down season. Also, Tyler’s positives from last week far outnumber Magnolia’s.
Even in a loss, the Silver Knights still scored 39 points. Griffin Phillips connected with Jace Reed for four Tyler touchdown passes. The biggest obstacle the Silver Knights will face is healing the wounded ego of a defense that allowed a lot of points and a lot of yards.
Magnolia struggled in the run game last week, so we’ll see if the Silver Knights can capitalize that and force Magnolia quarterback Nick Priem to throw the football. This game will air locally on 92.3 FM and online at www.wxcr.com.
Parkersburg Catholic (3-4) at Williamstown (6-2) – Friday 7:00
Williamstown sophomore Carter Haynes had a pretty good first career start for the Yellowjackets in a blowout win over Wirt County. Filling in for the injured Trenton Tallman (Tallman left the previous week’s game with an injury in the second quarter), Haynes was 4-4 throwing the football, adding a touchdown pass.
Most importantly, Haynes’ performance allowed the Yellowjackets to feel good about resting Tallman against the struggling Tigers. With a week to heal up, we’ll see if Tallman is good to go for this week, or if the Yellowjackets once again turn to Haynes.
Parkersburg Catholic comes in after two straight, somewhat unexpected losses to Weirton Madonna and Clarksburg Notre Dame. The Crusaders allowed the Blue Dons to get their first win of the season two weeks ago before a 35-14 loss last week to Notre Dame.
Haynes wasn’t the only bright spot last week for the Yellowjackets. Donathan Taylor ran for 141 yards and four touchdowns on just nine carries. Taylor’s monster game shows Williamstown has many weapons at their disposal.
For Williamstown, there’s no better time to flex their muscles than the stretch run. The Yellowjackets won’t be seriously tested again until their final game of the season – a trip to Tolsia.
Parkersburg South (3-4) at Greenbrier East (3-4) – Friday 7:00
Even though a 5-5 record will likely get someone into the Class AAA playoffs this season, expect Parkersburg South and Greenbrier East to treat Friday’s game as if it were an elimination game. The Patriots are coming in off a bye week that follows their strongest performance of the year – a blowout win against Brooke.
The Patriots scored 65 points in their last games – exactly half their total points from their first six games combined. Greenbrier East picked up a 34-22 win over Class AA Logan. When Parkersburg South has looked best on offense, they’ve done it through a strong running game. With season-long inconsistencies moving the ball through the air, any sign of consistency passing the football will be welcomed for a Patriots team that is trying to become more well-rounded.
The Patriots would like to take all three of their remaining games, and if they do, they should be a shoo-in for the Top 16. However, they definitely need to take two of three, and with Wheeling Park and Parkersburg left, those aren’t the two you want to rely on needing to have if you’re Parkersburg South.
This game will air locally on V96.9 FM and online at www.v969radio.net.
Herbert Hoover (5-2) at Roane County (5-2) – Friday 7:30
For the third time in their last five games, Roane County’s offense struggled to get going in a 32-13 loss to Lincoln. In a second straight showdown game against a team with a similar record, the Raiders welcome Herbert Hoover to Spencer this week.
Hoover comes in off a 42-29 win over Wayne. The key for the Huskies might be to limit Roane’s Tyler May to fewer than 100 yards. When he’s been limited this season, the Raiders have struggled for a Plan B. Forcing Roane to consider alternatives will be an integral part of any success Herbert Hoover will have this week.
Bishop Donahue (5-2) at Paden City (2-5) – Friday 7:00
Perennial favorite Bishop Donahue is slowly gaining attention for their 5-2 season. This week, Paden City plays host and will try to mount a challenge. The Wildcats rolled to a 43-20 win over Hannan last Friday. Haden Hizer ran for 176 yards and three scores last week for Paden City. He’ll have to have a strong game and Paden City will need to control the pace of play if the Wildcats have any hope for an upset this week.
Other Games:
Warren Local, Ohio (2-6) at Parkersburg (2-5) – Friday 7:00
Webster County (4-3) at Calhoun County (1-7) – Friday 7:00
Wahama (2-6) at Corning Miller, Ohio (5-3) – Friday 7:30
Ritchie County (0-8) at Liberty Harrison (5-3) – Friday 7:30
Bye:
Ravenswood (4-4)
Ripley (2-6)
Wirt County (1-7)