By Fred Persinger II for WVMetroNews.com
Class AA No. 5 James Monroe (8-1) at No. 1 Bluefield (9-0)
Two top five Class AA teams battle Friday night at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield as the James Monroe Mavericks travel from Lindside to take on the Bluefield Beavers. Both teams are in the Class AA playoffs and now look to secure their seeding. A win by Bluefield will more than likely wrap up the No. 1 seed. A win by James Monroe would put the Mavericks in contention for a top four seed.
Bluefield running backs Mookie Collier and Truck Edwards have combined to rush for close to 2,000 yards and 35 touchdowns on the season. Collier leads the team with 1,258 yards and 21 touchdowns — he’s averaging 14 yards per carry. Edwards, meanwhile, has rushed for 700 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year.
“We’ve been blessed to have an amazing fullback like Truck,” Collier said. “After we pound it up the middle with (Truck), I can get it on the outside and it makes defenses second-guess.
The Mavericks won last year’s game between the two teams 34-27.
“Last year, losing to James Monroe was heartbreaking,” Collier said. “If we would have won, we would have had a 50-50 chance of making the playoffs. We know that we’re going to have to be on our game and hopefully we’ll come ready to play.”
This year’s James Monroe team has been led by seniors Grant Mohler and Connor Moore. Moore has done a little bit of everything, rushing for over 500 yards, throwing for over 500 yards and collecting over 100 yards receiving.
It’s another pivotal game for the Mavericks, whose lone loss came to Point Pleasant early in the year.
“This is a huge game for us, it’s always a big game on our schedule,” Mohler said. “They’re a phenomenal team and are phenomenally coached. They’re an all-around good team and we’re going to have to come in with our ‘A’ game.
“Mitchell Stadium is not a very easy place to win,” he continued. “We really have to get our heads straight this week and try to eliminate the penalties and mental mistakes.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night in the Class AA MetroNews Game of the Week.
Class AAA No. 1 Huntington (8-0) at Beckley (1-7)
Beckley will be home to Van Meter Stadium after three straight road games and a bye week for Senior Night against the Huntington Highlanders.
Huntington, still unbeaten on the year, has been led by all season by Kennedy Award and MetroNews Player of the Year Candidate Jadon Hayes. Hayes has broken four career records at Huntington and holds four single season records this year.
The senior standout entered last week with 1,546 yards and has 23 touchdowns for the Highlanders.
For Beckley, the offense continues to struggle. Two weeks ago in a 55-0 loss to Capital, Beckley had three chances to put points on the board, but came up empty with penalties and turnovers.
This will be the 19th meeting between the two teams as this series dates back to 1997. Beckley and Huntington have played every year since 2005. Huntington holds a 10-8 advantage and has not lost to Beckley since 2010.
Game time for Beckley and Huntington will be at 7:30 p.m. at Van Meter Stadium. The game will be carried on the Big Dawg 99.5 WJLS, online at wjls.com and on the iheart radio app.
Other Games
Princeton(1-7) at Greenbrier East(1-7)
Westside(5-3) at Point Pleasant(7-2)
Nichols County(6-2) at PikeView(7-2)
Sherman(6-2) at River View(2-6)
Wyoming East(1-7) at Independence(4-4)
Shady Spring(4-4) at Liberty Raleigh(0-8)
Oak Hill(5-3) at Midland Trail(8-1)
Montcalm(3-4) at Webster County(7-1)
Fayetteville(6-2) at Greenbrier West(0-8)
Summers County(5-3) at Richwood(5-3)
Mount View(4-5) at Meadow Bridge(1-7)
Valley Fayette-Idle this week