Sean McNamara – Times West Virginian for WVMetroNews.com
Class AAA No. 1 Martinsburg (0-0) at Loudon Valley, Va. (0-0), 7 p.m., Friday
Following an undefeated 2016 season that resulted in a Class AAA state title – its first since winning four straight between 2010-13 – Martinsburg will enter the 2017 campaign looking to build on last year’s momentum and a return to Wheeling Island.
Opponents averaged just 7.6 points per game against coach David Walker’s defense a year ago, and the Bulldogs return many players off last year’s defensive unit, notably 2016 Sam Huff Award winner Tavis Lee, who was selected by the West Virginia Sportswriters Association as the state’s top defender.
Lee will be joined defensively by lineman Jalen Hesen and linebacker Dewayne Grantham, while quarterback Tyson Bagent and running back Mikey Jackson return to lead the Martinsburg offense.
This week’s opponent, Loudoun Valley out of Virginia, finished 7-4 last season, averaging 31 points per game offensively while surrendering 23.6.
The Vikings graduated much of their offensive production from a year ago, notably quarterback Nick Kallivokas, who threw for 1,573 yards and 19 touchdowns, and leading rusher Tyler Hunt, who accounted for 864 yards last season on the ground.
Friday’s 7 p.m. contest in Purcellville, Va., marks the first of three games against out-of-state opponents to open the season for the Bulldogs, who don’t face a Mountain State foe until they host Spring Mills Sept. 15.
Musselman (0-0) at Spring Mills (0-0), 7 p.m., Friday
In a matchup of 2016 playoff teams, the Musselman Applemen will travel to Spring Mills for this week’s season opener.
Last year’s matchup saw the Applemen build a 30-0 lead at halftime before cruising to the 54-7 win.
Leading the way for 2016 ECAC Co-Coach of the Year Brian Thomas’ Applemen will be senior running back Jacob Northcraft, a returning first-team Class AAA running back, and senior offensive lineman David Robertson. Senior Chris Fox is expected to take over at quarterback for Musselman.
Musselman finished 8-3 a season ago, falling to Jefferson, 36-0, in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs.
Spring Mills will look to avenge last year’s defeat Friday at home, led by sophomore Evin Hurt at running back in coach Derek Munson’s offense.
The Cardinals, and head coach Derek Munson, are tasked this season with replacing 2016 second-team all-state player Demetreus Jalepes.
Spring Mills, in its fifth year as a school, is looking to clinch a third-consecutive postseason berth after finishing 6-5 last season, losing to Morgantown in the opening round of the playoffs.
Both Spring Mills and Musselman received votes in the MetroNews Class AAA Week 1 Power Rankings, each falling just outside the Top 10.
Harrison Central, Ohio (0-0), at Class A No. 2 East Hardy (0-0), 7 p.m., Saturday
Fresh off a 13-1 season and a second straight trip to the Class A state championship game, coach Chad Williams’ East Hardy Cougars enter the 2017 season with a home matchup against Harrison Central, Ohio, at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Offensively, the Cougars return 2016 all-state performers Brett Tharp and Phillip Mullin as well as Aden Funkhouser as a specialist, but otherwise will see several new faces in key positions on the field.
This week’s opponent from Cadiz, Ohio, finished 7-3 last season, with a 47-7 win over Oak Glen, its only opponent from West Virginia.
Harrison Central is the first of two out-of-state opponents this season for East Hardy, which will travel to Southern Garrett, Maryland, Sept. 22.
Hedgesville (0-0) at Washington (0-0), 7 p.m., Thursday
In the first game of the 2017 season for teams in the Eastern Panhandle, Washington will travel to Hedgesville for a 7 p.m. matchup Thursday.
The homestanding Eagles look to build on their 2016 season, which saw Hedgesville make the playoffs for the first time since 1997.
Hedgesville finished 5-6 last season under head coach Joey Yurish, and seek its first winning season in 20 years. Senior linebacker Gavin Smoot leads the Eagles’ defense, with Jason Plotner lining up at quarterback.
Coach Glen Simpson’s Washington Patriots posted a winless 0-10 season a year, and look to get back on track in 2017.
Hedgesville won last year’s matchup, 34-14.
Millbrook, Va. (0-0) at Jefferson (0-0), 7 p.m., Friday
Sophomore quarterback Corbin Pierson takes over at the quarterback position for the Jefferson Cougars, who are seeking a third consecutive playoff appearance in Class AAA this season and open the 2017 season at home Millbrook, Virginia.
Despite the graduation of 2016 Class AAA first team standout Isaac Myers, coach Craig Hunter’s Cougars return plenty of talent from a year ago, notably wide receiver Scooter Gaskins and defensive lineman Jevon Lang.
Jefferson, which reached the Class AAA quarterfinals last season after finishing 8-4, lost last year’s season opener at Millbrook, 42-20.
Last season saw Millbrook finish 10-2, reaching the second round of the VHSL Group 4A playoffs.
Berkeley Springs (0-0) at Petersburg (0-0) , 7 p.m., Friday
Last year’s matchup between the Berkeley Springs Indians and the Petersburg Vikings was a good one, with the Vikings prevailing, 42-41, at home.
Petersburg narrowly missed out on a playoff spot in Class AA last season, finishing 6-4 last season.
Quarterback Jacob Hartman, a 2016 Class AA all-state honorable mention selection, enters his junior season at quarterback for coach Kevin Board’s team.
Coach Matt Puffenberger and the Indians enter the 2017 season looking to reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Quarterback Tobin Whittington and running backs Michael Hovermale and Tanner Clark will lead the way for the Indians, who finished 3-7 a year ago.
Preston (0-0) at Hampshire (0-0), 7 p.m., Friday
Coach Darren Grace’s Hampshire host the Preston Knights this week at Rannells Field in Romney.
The two teams met in last season’s opening game, as well, with the Knights winning, 26-21. The victory was Preston’s lone win of the season.
Hampshire, led by 2016 Class AAA All-State running back and linebacker Ricky Moreland, is seeking its first winning season since 2013 when it went 6-4.
Preston returns its top three leading rushers from a year ago in Dakota Holt, Caleb Gribble and Jaron Summer, who combined by 802 yards in 2016.
Frankfort at Moorefield
Frankfort and Moorefield enter this week’s opener each looking to put together a winning season after finishing below .500 a year ago with 3-7 and 4-6 records, respectively.
The two squads met in last season’s opener, as well, with Moorefield earning the victory, 25-14.
Moorefield came out of the gate hot last season, winning its first four games, while Frankfort lost its first three prior to a win in Week 4 against Berkeley Springs.
Off: Keyser (0-0)