By: Michael Minnich
The Exponent Telegram
Class AAA No. 3 Musselman (7-1) at Class AAA No. 1 Martinsburg (9-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
The only two West Virginia Class AAA teams undefeated against in-state foes will clash in a marquee matchup on Friday evening.
Martinsburg, still No. 1 in the SSAC rankings, dampened the enthusiam of a Jefferson team that was coming off of a big win over previously undefeated Fairmont Senior, cruising to a 42-6 win over the Cougars.
Tyson Bagent connected with Isaac Brown, Michael Boaitey, and Stephen Edmonds for first-half touchdown passes and Alex Jones capped the half with a 47-yard punt return for a score.
Grant Harman ran for two second-half scores.
Musselman, No. 3 in the SSAC rankings, took care of Washington last week, 48-21.
Latrell Warr caught the first touchdown, threw for the second, ran for the third, handed off to Jacob Northcraft for the fourth, and ran again for the fifth.
Martinsburg won last year’s game, 48-6.
Clear Spring, Md. (2-6) at Class A No. 2 East Hardy (8-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
East Hardy demolished Berkeley Springs last week, 63-14, to stay undefeated and atop the SSAC Class A rankings, while Clear Spring were on the losing end of a 58-0 game against Southern Garrett (Md.).
East Hardy was tested in this game last year, winning 37-20.
Class AA No. 9 Keyser (5-3) at Frankfort (4-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
Keyser has to wonder what might have been last week.
Leading 13-3 after three quarters against three-time defending state champion Bridgeport, the Golden Tornado lost quarterback Brady Ours due to injury and gave up three rushing touchdowns to Indians signal-caller Gordon Swiger, losing 24-13.
Camden White had 85 yards receiving and caught a TD pass from Ours.
But at the same time, KHS can’t dwell on the past entering the Mineral Bowl against Frankfort, who has had an extra week to prepare for their arch-rival coming off of their bye.
Keyser still has work to do to secure a playoff spot, coming in 14th in AA in the SSAC rankings.
Keyser, coming off of a loss in this series two years ago in overtime, got payback and then some last year, winning 67-7.
South Hagerstown, Md. (5-3) at Class AAA RV Jefferson (4-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
Jefferson suffered a 42-6 setback against Martinsburg despite a 52-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Myers to Scooter Gaskins, but are still tied for 13th in the SSAC AAA playoff rankings.
South Hagerstown won at Williamsport (Md.) by a 27-13 score last week.
Jefferson took a 48-42 shootout in this series last year.
Moorefield (4-4) at Pendleton County (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
Moorefield’s fourth straight loss may have been the hardest to take.
Leading 27-6 after the first quarter and 33-13 with 9:14 left in the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets lost 37-33 to Petersburg.
354 passing yards for Jacob Hartman canceled out a strong rushing game for Moorefield: Jacob Stickley ran 33 times for 194 yards and three touchdowns and Javon Fawley 29 times for 175 yards and two scores.
Moorefield is still in a three-way tie for 16th in the Class A SSAC rankings thanks to their strength of schedule, which would certainly be enhanced by a skid-stopper against the 14th-ranked Wildcats.
Pendleton County defeated Tucker County, 26-6, last week.
Moorefield won in overtime in this series last year, 28-21.
Tucker County (2-6) at Petersburg (5-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
Petersburg is in the 16th and final playoff spot in Class AA after picking up its first win at Moorefield since 1993, 37-33.
The Vikings trailed 27-6 after the first quarter but then put their passing game into gear, scoring the final 24 points of the game.
Jacob Hartman was 19-for-32 passing for 354 yards and four scores, hitting Jordan Hartman (7 catches, 139 yards, 2 TD’s), Trad Harman (5 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD), and Cody Southerly (6 catches, 91 yards, 1 TD), and Tyce Wisnewski (26-yard TD catch).
Tucker County dropped its third straight game last week, 26-6, at Pendleton County.
Petersburg won a 53-30 decision in this series last year.
Spring Mills (4-4) at James Wood, Va. (2-6), Friday, 7 p.m.
Spring Mills was a 26-12 winner over Mountain Ridge last week, thanks in large part to Demetreus Jalepes, who rushed 15 times for 148 yards and three scores and also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
It was an essential victory for the Cardinals, who are the last team out of the playoffs in 17th right now.
Another must-win game comes this week across the border at James Wood, who have lost five of six and dropped their only game so far against a West Virginia foe, 39-14 to Hedgesville.
Spring Mills won last year, 35-21.
Berkeley Springs (2-6) at Southern Garrett, Md. (3-5), Friday, 7 p.m.
Berkeley Springs was blown out by East Hardy last week, 63-14, while Southern drained Clear Spring, 58-0.
Berkeley Springs were 35-8 winners in last year’s meeting.
Hampshire (0-8) at Washington (0-8), Friday, 7 p.m.
Hampshire very nearly picked up its first win last week, but a late turnover and score gave Hedgesville a 27-21 victory instead.
Logan Clower scored on a 3-yard rush to give the Trojans a 21-14 lead with 5:55 to go and Hampshire blocked an extra point to stay ahead after Hedgesville answered with a TD of their own.
Washington’s three scores against Musselman all came late on passes by Matt Grant, two to Parker Jackson.
Hampshire’s last win came in this game last year, 38-19.
BYE: Hedgesville (5-4) remained in playoff position in 15th with their escape at Hampshire last week.