— By Shawn Rine
Class A
No. 5 Cameron (11-0) at No. 4 Doddridge County (11-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Glenville State College
Last week: Cameron jumped out to a 30-0 lead en route to a 30-12 victory against No. 12 Van. Doddridge County ran through No. 13 Wesbster County, 40-13.
Why it’s important: A spot in the semifinals awaits the winner, while the loser is left to contemplate what might have been after winning its first 11 games.
Who to watch for Cameron: Andrew Ritchea eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark again last week and has surpassed 2,000 for the season.
Who to watch for Doddridge: Running back Hunter America passed up the 2,000-yard plateau long ago and is the straw that stirs the Bulldogs drink.
No. 9 Magnolia (8-3) at No. 1 Wheeling Central (10-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Brooke High School
Last week: Magnolia battled through the mud to handle Pendleton County on the road, 28-6. Wheeling Central pounded Tyler Consolidated, 61-30, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score might indicate.
Why it’s important: This is the teams’ second meeting, with the Blue Eagles ending the Maroon Knights’ unbeaten run, 21-12, in the regular-season finale. Magnolia is out to prove it was not a fluke while Central thinks it would have been a different story if Bray Price played more and if QB Curtis McGhee III had played at all.
Who to watch for Magnolia: Jared Barrows has led a resurgent defense. He had two sacks the last time these two teams met.
Who to watch for Wheeling Central: McGhee returned from a three-week layoff to throw for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns a week ago.
Class AA
No. 12 Weir (9-2) at No. 4 Nicholas County (11-0)
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Last week: Weir went to Poca and routed the Dots, 41-14. Nicholas stayed unbeaten with a 41-10 victory against Petersburg.
Why it’s important: The Red Riders are out to prove they’re a lot better than a 12 seed while the Grizzlies want to put on a show for their fans during the first second-round home game in school history.
Who to watch for Weir: West Point commit Tyler Komorowski (QB-DE) makes the Red Riders a different team when he is on the field.
Who to watch for Nicholas County: Jacob O’Dell rushed for 259 yards on 29 carries last week and provides balance to a high-scoring offense.