by Fred Persinger II — For WVMetroNews.com
A Class A showdown between unbeaten teams and a big game in Beckley highlight the slate for Southern teams in Week 3.
GAMES TO WATCH
Class A No. 7 Fayetteville (2-0) at Richwood (2-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Fayetteville defeated Valley, 39-8 and Richwood defeated Gilmer County, 37-0.
Why it’s important: A chance for the winner of this game to continue their early season success and continue to climb in the Class A rankings.
Who to watch for Fayetteville: RB Jordan Dempsey who rushed for 130 yards on 19 carries last week and Logan Frantz who rushed for 122 yards on 17 carries
Who to watch for Richwood: QB Caleb Jantuah the Sophomore is 18 for 23 for 392 yards with 8 touchdowns so far this season and RB Jeremiah Johnston who has rushed for 263 yards on 33 carries.
Parkersburg (0-2) at Woodrow Wilson (2-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Parkersburg lost to Cabell Midland, 40-20. Woodrow Wilson defeated Greenbrier East, 34-2.
Why it’s important: For Parkersburg, this might be a must win, with tough games left with Capital, Huntington, Wheeling Park, Hurricane and rival Parkersburg South. A loss Friday would really make it tough for the Big Reds to make the postseason field of 16. For Beckley, a win would continue to give this team confidence as it will be trying to go to 3-0 for the first time since 2012.
Who to watch for Parkersburg: The health of all-state WR/TE Brenton Strange, who has not played a game yet due to a injury in the preseason, is important. Strange won’t be at 100 percent, but is expected to play on Friday. Running back Tyler Moler has led the Big Reds’ offense thus far.
Who to watch for Beckley: The Flying Eagles defense, which has only given up 8 points this season and has yet to give up over 100 yards in a game. Running back Micah Hancock rushed for more than 100 yards last week.
Independence (0-2) at Oak Hill (2-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Independence lost to PikeView, 9-6. Oak Hill defeated Liberty Raleigh, 42-0.
Why it’s important: A loss by Independence would drop the Patriots to 0-3 and make the chances of making the Class AA playoff field a lot tougher. For Oak Hill, a win would continue the rise toward the Class AA playoffs and put the team in a good spot after the first three games.
Who To watch for Independence: Quarterback Phillip Spurlock and wideout Niko Burgess.
Who to watch for Oak Hill: Abraham Farrow is an explosive playmaker who combined for 256 rushing and receiving yards while scoring five touchdowns in a season-opening win over Valley Fayette.
Other games: St. Albans (1-1) at Greenbrier East (1-1); James Monroe (0-1) at Weir (2-0); Nicholas County (2-0) at Wyoming East (1-1); Westside (1-1) at Man (0-2); Liberty Raleigh (0-2) at PikeView (2-0); Midland Trail (2-0) at Meadow Bridge (1-1); Greenbrier West (1-1) at Covington, Va. (1-1).; Montcalm (0-1) at Narrows, Va. (2-0); Mount View (2-0) at Sheldon Clark, Ky. (1-2); Valley Fayette (0-2) at Sherman (1-1); Shady Spring (1-1) at Summers County (0-1)