Southwestern Report: Week 3

Huntington’s defense has played at a high level each of the first two weeks. The Highlanders will face a tough challenge Friday against George Washington.

 

by Wes McKinney — For WVMetroNews.com

A pair of matchups between top 10 teams in Class AAA highlight the Week 3 slate in the Southwestern region.

GAMES TO WATCH

Class AAA No. 3 Spring Valley (2-0) at Class AAA No. 5 Cabell Midland (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Spring Valley put the clamps down on Hurricane as the Timberwolves scored the final 27 points in a 27-3 win over the Redskins. For a second straight week, Spring Valley got a defensive touchdown, this time on a 52-yard interception return from Tyson Hall for the first score of the contest. 

“We limited them from having the big plays (they had a year ago against us,)” Spring Valley head coach Brand Dingess said. 

Meanwhile, Cabell Midland continued to put points on the board as it defeated Parkersburg on the road, 40-20. Ivan Vaughn continued his fast start to the season by scoring all six Knights’ touchdowns. 

Parkersburg is a tough place to go play with the environment they have,” Cabell Midland head coach Luke Salmons said. “I thought our kids responded well.”

Why it’s important: Over the last three years, the winner of this game has gone on to do great things. During the 2015 campaign, Cabell Midland grabbed a victory over Spring Valley to propel itself to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the state semifinals. However, Spring Valley has won each of the last two regular season meetings and also eliminated the Knights from the playoffs last year with a 15-0 shutout in the quarterfinal round. 

“It’s been a little bit of luck,” Dingess said referring to his team’s recent success against CMHS. “They’ve had some turnovers and we’ve been able to capitalize on it. They are a really good football team. It’s probably the fastest Midland team I’ve seen since I’ve been at Spring Valley since 2008.”

Players to watch for Spring Valley: Spring Valley’s defense has been stout early on, but the offense has excelled as well. 

“They have some big backs and the quarterback has been good early on,” Salmons said. “Graeson Malashevich is a great athlete. He can play all over the field.”

Players to watch for Cabell Midland: While Vaughn has put up big numbers offensively through two games, the offensive line needs some credit for opening up the holes for the speedy running back. 

“They are one of the most physical teams on the schedule,” Dingess said, who knows about smashmouth football. “They go until the whistle blows. I know when I talk to our kids after we play Cabell Midland, they are sore for that entire weekend. They play football the right way, they aren’t out there patty caking around.”

Class AAA No. 10 George Washington (1-1) at Class AAA No. 4 Huntington (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: For a second consecutive week, Huntington’s defense was stifling as it held Riverside down in a 24-8 win after limiting Belfry, Kentucky to nine points in the opening week of the season. If not for some red zone woes, the Highlanders could have won going away on the road. 

“We had over 400 yards of offense and only scored 24 points,” Huntington head coach Billy Seals said. “We seem to be getting in our way right now. Give Riverside some credit, I thought their kids played hard.” 

GW had a hard time stopping Ashland Paul Blazer as the Patriots fell 50-28 at home.

Why it’s important: A win this week would go a long way toward playoff seeding for either team. 

“George Washington is a storied program. This is one of those teams that is consistently in the playoffs,” Seals said. “We definitely have to play a lot better football than we did (last) Friday night.”

Players to watch for George Washington: Quarterback Grant Wells and the GW receivers have left an impression on Seals. 

“Everything runs through Grant Wells for them on offense. He is a dandy of a quarterback,” Seals said. “He’s the best the quarterback I’ve seen since I’ve been in West Virginia.” And those receivers. “I’m impressed with the receivers with the moves they’ve been able to make in the open field.”

Players to watch for Huntington: The Huntington defense will match up against a very experienced offense. While Huntington is experienced up front defensively, the younger secondary will be put to the test against George Washington. 

Logan (1-1) at Class AA No. 6 Mingo Central (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Mingo Central erased a 16-6 halftime deficit last week at Wayne as quarterback Daylin Goad snuck across the goal line late in the fourth quarter to propel MCHS to its first win under new head coach Josh Sammons. 

Meanwhile, Logan fell in a shootout on the road with Sissonville, 48-30. Logan battled the Indians tough in the first half, trailing 13-12 at the intermission, but Sissonville pulled away late.

Why it’s important: After getting a crucial road win at Wayne, the Miners will try to carry the momentum home, where they fell by a touchdown to Point Pleasant to open the season. As for Logan, the Wildcats are in a tough stretch of games where they face four playoffs team from a season in their first five games, along with an upstart Poca team next week.

Players to watch for Logan: For the second straight week, Chucky Felder carried the Wildcats as he rushed for over 125 yards and scored three touchdowns against Sissonville. The do-it-all Logan standout also had a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second half to give the Wildcats a brief lead in the contest.

Players to watch for Mingo Central: Daylin Goad accounted for 317 of Mingo Central’s 413 yards of offense against Wayne, while scoring three touchdowns. Additionally, Goad led the late drive that covered 70 yards to topple the Pioneers. Between passing and rushing, Goad combined for 67 of the 70 yards on the drive. 

Warren Local, Ohio at Class AA No. 4 Point Pleasant (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Point Pleasant’s defense smothered South Harrison as the Big Blacks went on the road for a second straight week and got a win — this time with a 58-0 shutout.

“I was very pleased with the way our defense came out and made a statement,” Point Pleasant head coach David Darst said. “We worked on it a lot in practice leading up to the game. We made some adjustments and the kids did a good job of executing.”

Why it’s important: This will be the home opener for Point Pleasant and the first of three straight home games that also includes a potential big contest with Herbert Hoover and a visit from Pikeville, Ky. The Big Blacks want to perform well in front of their home crowd and it’s also the Hall of Fame game for Point Pleasant.

“I’m sure there’s a going to be a big crowd here because Warren isn’t that far from us either,” Darst said. “Hopefully, we’ll keep this thing rolling at home.”

Players to watch for Point Pleasant: Point Pleasant’s defense, which will try to make it two consecutive stellar defensive performances after a high-scoring win over Mingo Central to open the season. 

Class AA No. 7 Sissonville (2-0) at Scott (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: After opening the season with a loss against Herbert Hoover, Scott turned some heads around the state by traveling over 100 miles to St. Marys and knocking off the Blue Devils. Meanwhile, Sissonville notched a second straight win to start the season by downing Logan, 48-30, behind a big night from quarterback Will Hackney as he threw for six touchdowns.

Why it’s important: Scott will have a bye in Week 4, so the Skyhawks will want to go into the break with a win. After the bye week, games against Chapmanville and Wayne await. The Indians look to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Players to watch for Sissonville: Hackney has been electric in the two wins as he paced the Sissonville to at least 40 points in each win.

Players to watch for Scott: Connor White has been the catalyst for the Skyhawks early in the season and leads the rushing attack. 

Other Games: Chapmanville (0-2) at Winfield (1-1); Westside (1-1) at Man (0-2); Valley Fayette (0-2) at Sherman (1-1); Van (1-0) at Paden City (0-2); Hannan (0-2) at Manchester, Ohio





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