By: Jack Withrow, WVMetroNews.com
Heading into Week 9, it’s a full slate of key games involving Kanawha Valley teams fighting for playoff positioning, as well as playoff berths.
AAA No. 3 Capital (6-1) at AAA No. 2 Spring Valley (7-1) – Friday, 7:00
In one of the state’s premier Week 9 matchups, Class AAA No. 3 Capital travels to Wayne County for a showdown with No. 2 Spring Valley on Friday night.
Both teams have relied heavily on their quarterbacks, while rolling over their last few opponents in impressive fashion.
Capital (6-1) is averaging 46.5 points per game in its six wins as quarterback Kerry Martin, Jr. leads a Cougar offense that’s putting up big numbers. The sophomore quarterback completed 9-of-21 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 60 yards and two more scores, in last week’s 59-0 win at Woodrow Wilson. Martin’s two favorite targets have been Silas Nazario and Anthony Pittman. Pittman leads the Cougars with 18 receptions for 408 yards and seven touchdowns.
For Spring Valley, Derek Johnson is one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the Mountain State Athletic Conference. Johnson has rushed for 884 yards on 95 attempts and 12 touchdowns, while completing 47-of-69 passes for 1,006 yards and eight scores.
Spring Valley has never beaten Capital on the football field. Last year, the Cougars defeated the Timberwolves 21-7 at Spring Valley.
AAA No. 6 Huntington (6-2) at AAA No. 10 South Charleston (4-3) – Friday, 7:00
Much like last year, one could say that South Charleston is already in playoff mode as the Black Eagles’ playoff aspirations could use the help of a win — and the bonus points — over Huntington.
Last week, South Charleston fought back from a 38-19 third quarter deficit to beat St. Albans 39-38. SC quarterback Trae Murphy connected with Derrek Pitts on a 76-yard touchdown pass with 4:46 to go in the contest to complete the comeback. Murphy finished with 148 yards rushing and a touchdown while throwing for another 120 yards and a score.
Murphy, in his first year at quarterback for the Black Eagles, has completed 39-of-71 passes for 716 yards and four touchdowns.
The Black Eagles play host to the No. 6 ranked Highlanders at Black Eagle Stadium on Friday night. Huntington is coming off a 24-13 home victory over Hurricane. Andrew Spears sealed the victory for the Highlanders with a fumble recovery for a touchdown with 1:30 left in the game while Huntington’s Jadon Hayes led all rushers with 119 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown. Hayes now has 1,068 yards on the ground this season.
In 2014, Huntington defeated South Charleston 20-16 at Black Eagle Stadium.
AA No. 13 Herbert Hoover (5-2) at AA No. 16 Roane County (5-2) – Friday, 7:30
A Herbert Hoover win over No. 16 Roane County would go a long way in helping the Huskies secure a postseason spot in the Class AA playoffs.
Last week, Herbert Hoover battled back from a 29-15 halftime deficit to defeat Wayne 42-29. Huskies running back Colten Rollyson rushed for two 4th quarter touchdowns and finished the night with 136 yards rushing and three scores. Quarterback Brody Thomas led all rushers with 190 yards on 20 carries.
A key to a Hoover victory this week will be containing Roane County’s Tyler May. The senior quarterback has rushed for 1,441 yards and 20 touchdowns this year.
Herbert Hoover defeated Roane County 37-21 in last year’s meeting. This will be the 18th time the two schools have met on the gridiron has the Huskies have a 13-4 advantage over the Raiders.
A No. 2 Fayetteville (8-0) at A No. 10 Buffalo (6-1) – Friday, 7:30
It’s another big test for the Bison as they host No. 2 and undefeated Fayetteville on Friday night.
Bison running back Dylan Lucas continues to run through – and around – opponents’ defenses, and last Friday against visiting Valley Fayette was no different. Lucas finished with 237 yards on 16 attempts and four touchdowns while the Bison blanked the Greyhounds 53-0.
On the year, Lucas has rushed for 1,726 yards on 129 carries and 27 touchdowns, while quarterback Ethan Burgess has completed 33-of-59 passes for 703 yards and 12 scores.
Last week, Fayetteville defeated Midland Trail 51-31 in the Battle for the Bridge. The Pirates totaled 304 yards on the ground while Jordan Dempsey led the way with 13 carries for 154 yards and four scores.
Buffalo defeated Fayetteville 60-27 in last year’s meeting.
AA No. 13 Winfield (5-2) at Chapmanville (5-3) – Friday, 7:30
In the last couple of weeks, No. 13 Winfield cruised to victories over Nitro and Poca, but will get a stiffer test as the Generals travel to Logan County to battle Chapmanville in a Cardinal Conference clash.
Winfield defeated Poca 55-6 last week at O.O. White Stadium as Andrew Huff rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more. The junior quarterback continues to be one of the offensive leaders in the Cardinal Conference in both passing (82-of-149, 1,231 yards & 10 TDs) and rushing (656 yards & 16 TDs).
Chapmanville comes in to this week at No. 17 in the latest WVSSAC Playoff Ratings after a 47-8 loss at Mingo Central. The Tigers’ starting quarterback Adam Vance went out with an injury in the first half against the Miners and did not return. Vance leads the Cardinal Conference in passing with 1,698 yards and 14 touchdowns and is questionable for this week.
The last time these two teams met, Chapmanville defeated Winfield 17-12 back in 2008. The Generals own a 15-2 record against the Tigers in the all-time series.
Other Friday night matchups in the Kanawha Valley:
AAA No. 16 Riverside (4-4) at AAA No. 13 George Washington (4-3) – Friday, 7:00
St. Albans (1-7) at AAA No. 12 Cabell Midland (4-4) – Friday, 7:00
Woodrow Wilson (1-6) at AAA No. 8 Hurricane (4-3) – Friday, 7:00
Nitro (1-6) at Lincoln County (1-6) – Friday, 7:30
AA No. 6 Sissonville (6-1) at Logan (3-4) – Friday, 7:30
Poca (0-8) at Wayne (1-6) – Friday, 7:30