Northern Panhandle Report: Week 1

Wheeling Central’s Adam Murray garnered the Huff Award last season as the state’s top defensive player. Murray leads the Maroon Knights into action Thursday at Williamstown.

 

by Shawn Rine – The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register for WVMetroNews.com

A closer look at the top opening week games involving teams from the Northern Panhandle.

GAMES TO WATCH

Class A

No. 1 Wheeling Central (0-0) at No. 4 Williamstown (0-0)

When: Thursday at 7 p.m.

Last year: Wheeling Central finished 10-4 and captured the Class A state championship. Williamstown went 5-5 and was ousted in the first round.

Why it’s important: These two small-school powers always produce tightly contested, hard-fought games. It’s not often that a Top-5 matchup takes place in Week 1.

Who to watch for Wheeling Central: Defensive end Adam Murray enters his junior season already with a Huff Award on his credentials list. Junior QB Curtis McGhee III comes from great lineage and has a chance to lead the Maroon Knights to back-to-back titles. Senior speedster Bray Price is a threat to go the distance running, catching or returning kicks.

Who to watch for Williamstown: Linebacker Carter Haynes received special honorable mention status last season on the Class A all-state list. 

Class AAA

Wheeling Park (0-0) at Brooke (0-0)

When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Wheeling Park finished the season 6-5 and bowed out with a first-round defeat at the hands of Capital. Brooke ended 3-7 and did not qualify for the postseason.

Why it’s important: The schools are long-time rivals with Brooke holding a decided edge for quite some time. More recently the tables have turned as the Patriots, who won 24-6 last season in a game played at West Liberty University, have taken control.

Who to watch for Wheeling Park: Linebacker Jermain Snodgrass burst onto the scene last season and is seen as a sure-fire all-stater by several state publications. Quarterback Alex Dunlevy takes over for Cross Wilkinson, who was a three-time all-state recipient and is now at Toledo. Jack Stakem will be one of the top receivers in the Upper Ohio Valley.

Who to watch for Brooke: Gage Yost, a senior, does a little bit of everything for the Bruins. If he isn’t at QB, he will be the team’s top receiver and play a key role on defense. Max Camilletti leads a deep and talented RB corps for coach Mac McLean. 

 

No. 5 University (0-0) at John Marshall (0-0)

When: Friday at 7 p.m.

Last year: University ran the table in the regular season and finished 11-1 after falling in the state quarterfinals. John Marshall went 8-4 and qualified for the postseason for the first time in a decade, winning at Parkersburg in the opening round before being eliminated by eventual champ Martinsburg.

Why it’s important: Both of these teams are again thinking big. The team that wins this opener will be well on its way to a successful season. The Monarchs are opening a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility.

Who to watch for University: West Virginia commit and wide receiver Amir Richardson arguably doesn’t have a peer at the position in the state. Quarterback Logan Holgorsen makes his debut with the Hawks after coming over from rival Morgantown.

Who to watch for John Marshall: Senior defensive lineman Hunter Temple exploded on the scene last season and is a QB’s worst nightmare. Fullback/tailback Chas McCool, who is coming off an injury, is tough to deal with on both sides of the ball. Jace Boggs is poised for a big season from his linebacker spot. 

Other Games: 

Bridgeport (Ohio) (0-0) at Madonna (0-0); Parkersburg (0-0) at Morgantown (0-0); West Greene (Pa.) (0-0) at Cameron (0-0); Hundred (0-0) at Clay-Battelle (0-0); Sherman (0-0) at Magnolia (0-0); Oak Glen (0-0) at Weir (0-0); Parkersburg Catholic (0-0) at Paden City (0-0); Ripley (0-0) at Parkersburg South (0-0); Ritchie County (0-0) at Tyler Consolidated (0-0); Tygarts Valley (0-0) at Valley Wetzel (0-0); Beaver Eastern (Ohio) (0-0) at Linsly (0-0).





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