This weekend, when we enter into week #7 of the 2017 high school football season, every team is officially at least halfway through the season. For some, the light at the end of “making the playoffs” tunnel is very bright…..for others, they might have a dim view of what might be brighter things to come….and, for even others, the light they see is an on-coming runaway train!
As we get set for the 7th week of games, in Class AAA we have three teams with an undefeated season still on the books……Huntington, Martinsburg and University, all are (6-0). In Class AA, likewise we have three undefeated teams….Bluefield (6-0), Liberty Harrison and Mingo Central both at (5-0). In Class A, there are five teams that have yet to lose…..East Hardy and Midland Trail both (6-0), Madonna and South Harrison both (5-0) and St. Marys setting at (4-0). For the above eleven teams, the light signifying “playoffs” is very bright! Now alas, as the 7th week of play gets set to kick-off, we have thirteen teams that are still looking for their first win of the season. In Class AAA, Jefferson and Princeton are both (0-5), while Washington is currently (0-6). In Class AA, the number of teams currently without a win is three….East Fairmont, Liberty Raleigh and Roane County are all (0-5). In Class A, that number is seven…..Parkersburg Catholic is (0-4)….Gilmer County, Hundred, Meadow Bridge and Moorefield are (0-5), while Calhoun and Greenbrier West are both (0-6). For the above thirteen teams, that bright light could possibly belong to the aforementioned “runaway train”. The time is right for the undefeated teams to keep winning and the teams without a win to start winning!
This week in Class AAA, the Huntington Highlanders are guaranteed to stay undefeated as Coach Billy Seals and his team have the weekend off. They return to play October 13th with a road trip to Hurricane. University will welcome (2-3) Hampshire to Morgantown, while Martinsburg will travel to Stephens City, Va. to take on Sherando. The Warriors are (4-1) after losing last week 31-28 to Liberty of Bealeton, Va. Liberty scored all 31 of their points in the 2nd half last Friday night to capture the come from behind win. Also in Class AAA this weekend, we have several compelling games with Capital at Hurricane, Musselman at Hedgesville, Wheeling Park at Morgantown and St. Albans at George Washington.
In Class AA, the marquee game will find (5-1) Point Pleasant at (6-0) Bluefield. Talent abounds on both teams and Point Pleasant’s only loss came in the first game of the season when they dropped a 36-34 decision to undefeated Mingo Central on a hail-mary touchdown pass from Jeremy Dillon with no time remaining on the clock. For Bluefield, through their first six games, they have been outscoring their opponents 45-12! Three other games in Class AA this weekend that will draw a lot of attention includes Bridgeport (5-1) at North Marion (4-1)…..Fairmont Senior (5-1) at Weir (4-2) and James Monroe (5-1) at Westside (4-1).
In Class A, the Wheeling Central Maroon Knights (2-3) will try and get back to .500 this Friday night but might find the sledding a little tough as they welcome in Shadyside, Ohio which currently sports a record of (5-1)!
Certainly something we have all found is, regardless of the records of the high school teams we follow, our teams have our support! There is nothing better than high school football under those Friday night lights! So, I sincerely urge everyone to get out and support your favorite high school team this weekend! And, after the game, tune in to GAMENIGHT…….heard on over 40 great radio stations around the state from 9:30 to Midnight. If you can’t find the show in your area, check it out at wvmetronews.com!
We’ll talk to you Friday night.