— By Eric Little
This week’s schedule is highlighted by some big games at the small school level, with a little more than just bragging rights on the line. A number of teams will also look to prove that their strong opening week performances weren’t a fluke.
GAMES TO WATCH
CLASS AAA
No. 9 Parkersburg South (1-0) at University (1-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Parkersburg South waited through a 90-minute lightning delay before earning a 49-18 win over Ripley. Brandon Penn threw for four touchdowns — connecting with Dylan Day on two of those strikes — while running for another. Devin Gaines topped 100 yards on the ground for South while also hitting paydirt. University picked up an 18-7 win in their opener last week against John Marshall.
Why It’s Important: Both teams want to build on wins in their season openers. Plus, South wants to go to 2-0 before headed into a three-game homestand, while University thinks 2-0 would be a pretty nice perch to find before back-to-back road contests.
Who to Watch for Parkersburg South: Penn had help in the receiving corps last week, most notably Day with his two scores. That came on a night where Day caught six passes for 149 yards. Jake Hogsett and Landon Francisco also made a splash for the Patriots in their debuts, each hauling in a touchdown pass from Penn.
But offense was not Penn’s only highlight, and teams would be errant to sleep on him during the other two phases. Penn blocked an extra point and was a leading tackler on defense.
No. 8 Parkersburg (1-0) at No. 6 Cabell Midland (1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Parkersburg got revenge for their season-opening loss from last year over Morgantown, striking back for a 27-21 win over the Mohigans. More than 200 of the Big Reds’ 366 total yards came on the ground. Cabell Midland stayed unbeaten with a 56-13 triumph over St. Albans.
Why It’s Important: Same reason as the South-University game — both teams want to go to 2-0. Cabell Midland has a four-game homestand looming and could really use the momentum boost, while PHS has future contests against perennial Class AAA powers Capital and Huntington.
Who to Watch for Parkersburg: After Bryson Singer and Michael Owen dueled for the quarterback spot throughout the summer, Singer took the edge in the derby by getting most of the opportunities last week. But both Singer and Owen tossed touchdown passes, so don’t count either one out yet. Matt Curry caught both of those touchdown passes. Singer also got it done with his legs, rushing for 157 yards.
Buckhannon-Upshur (0-1) at Ripley (0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Ripley didn’t find a rainbow after the thunderstorm that delayed their season opener, dropping a 49-18 contest to Parkersburg South. Buckhannon-Upshur fell 56-14 to defending Class AA state champion Fairmont Senior.
Why It’s Important: Neither team wants to fall in an early season hole, especially Ripley, at least if the Vikings are to make a playoff appearance in consecutive seasons for just the third time in school history.
Who to Watch for Ripley: Parkersburg South was able to bottle up the rushing attack of Dalton Myers last week, despite Myers’ third quarter rushing score. Expect Myers to get back on track this week.
CLASS A
No. 6 Parkersburg Catholic (1-0) at No. 8 Ritchie County (1-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Parkersburg Catholic routed Hannan 58-0 in the season opener for both teams, scoring 39 of those points in the first quarter. Ritchie County picked up a 58-20 win over Tyler Consolidated in a matchup of Class A playoff participants from last year.
Why It’s Important: Both of these teams stand to be good teams this season, with several wins, so the winner will likely see a nice benefit when the playoff rankings are released. Plus, they have some different, but passionate motivations on both sides. Ritchie County thought a close call that went against them late in last year’s contest proved pivotal to the outcome. Parkersburg Catholic wants to prove they weren’t a flash in the pan in 2018 and that they can be a contender for years to come.
Who to Watch for Parkersburg Catholic: Jeb Boice ran for four touchdowns and caught another, one of the two touchdown passes tossed by Xavier Collie. Head coach Lance Binegar said the guys up front did their job to open things up for the backfield.
“He had holes big enough to skip through. It was a joint effort.” Binegar said. “The line made the holes, plus Jeb’s pretty good.”
Parkersburg Catholic’s offensive line is entering its third season together as a unit, which Binegar says allows the team to worry about other things.
“From the start of the season, we can hit the ground running. Everyone knows where they’re going to be, what they’re going to do and how to do it.” Binegar said. “It’s a good problem to have.”
Who to Watch for Ritchie County: Starting quarterback Dakota Wayne was limited to defensive duties because of a preseason hip injury, so the Rebels turned to freshman Ethan Haught in their blowout win against Tyler Consolidated. In addition to throwing a touchdown pass, Haught ran the offense like clockwork, according to head coach Rick Haught.
“He looked very solid in both scrimmages. He handled himself well, and that’s what you saw again Friday night.” Rick Haught said of his quarterback, Ethan. “He did a nice job of running the offense and getting everyone where they needed to be. It was a natural fit.”
The running game carried the Rebels, as both Garrett Owens and Tre Moss topped 100 yards on the ground. Like Binegar and his linemen, Rick Haught was also impressed by what he saw out of his offensive front.
“I was really impressed with our line play up front, not only at the point of attack, but we also had some key downfield blocks. That’s what I’m most excited about is how that unit’s starting to come together.” Rick Haught said of his line. “Because I think we have two really legitimate backs that no one’s really talking about yet. But as the season unfolds and with that improved line play, I think you’re going to hear a lot about Garrett and Tre.”
No. 2 Doddridge County (1-0) at Tyler Consolidated (0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Doddridge County dedicated their new on-campus stadium with a 49-6 thrashing of South Harrison. Tyler Consolidated fell victim to the ground game of Ritchie County in a 58-20 loss to the Rebels.
Why It’s Important: This game might turn into the season’s first track meet of the year, between Tyler Consolidated’s Mark Rucker and Doddridge County’s Hunter America. Both backs are among the state’s best at the Class A level. After a loss, Tyler Consolidated gets a shot at the #2 team in the Class A MetroNews Power Rankings. The Silver Knights would like to restore some pride in their defense, but it won’t be an easy task defending America.
Who to Watch for Tyler Consolidated: Rucker. In a losing cause last week, he still ran for 186 yards and a pair of scores. Quarterback Gage Huffman is also a dual threat.
No. 7 Magnolia (0-0) at No. 4 Williamstown (0-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Despite winning the turnover battle, Williamstown fell 35-13 to Wheeling Central in their season opener. This represents the season lid-lifter for Magnolia. The highlight of their season last year was a Week 11 Senior Night win against eventual state champion Wheeling Central. The Blue Eagles picked up a win in the first round of the playoffs before bowing out in a quarterfinal rematch with the Maroon Knights.
Why It’s Important: Because 0-2 is not where anyone wants to be, least of all Williamstown. Magnolia will replace last year’s main offensive threat – Patrick Mirandy – but they’ll still do their best to hand the Yellowjackets a second straight loss.
Who to Watch for Williamstown: Ty Moore ran for a touchdown as part of a 128-yard rushing night. His first quarter touchdown rush pulled Williamstown to within a point of the Maroon Knights. But Wheeling Central would score the game’s next 28 points to put things out of reach.
After a summer-long quarterback battle, Brayden Modesitt got the start last week as the Yellowjacket signal-caller.
Calhoun County (1-0) at Webster County (0-1)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Calhoun County eked out a hard-fought 8-6 win over Wirt County. Webster County routed Richwood 40-15.
Why It’s Important: It represents a real shot for Calhoun County to go to 2-0 for the first time in a long time.
Who to Watch for Calhoun County: Travis Richards ran for 157 yards for the Red Devils and picked up their lone score in the third quarter.
Buffalo (0-1) at Ravenswood (1-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Ravenswood waited through a lightning delay before picking up a 28-14 win over Wahama. Buffalo was shutout at home by Greenbrier West, 27-0.
Why It’s Important: A hot start would benefit the Red Devils, especially with the meat of their LKC schedule – Williamstown, Ritchie County, Doddridge County and St. Marys – and their Battle For the Hatchet meeting with Ripley, all still to come.
Who to Watch for Ravenswood: Jaycob Creel had just six carries, but took two of them to the end zone for the Red Devils. Wayne Stephenson and Chase Hood also scored Red Devil touchdowns.
Corning Miller, Ohio (1-0) at Wahama (0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Wahama cut a 28-point intermission deficit in half, in a 28-14 loss to Ravenswood. Miller edged Beallsville, Ohio 28-25.
Why It’s Important: With their next eight games coming against a rugged southeastern Ohio schedule, Wahama had better show the fight that carried the White Falcons through last week’s second half. Six of Wahama’s next eight opponents picked up wins in Week One.
Who to Watch for Wahama: Abram Pauley led the White Falcon running game with 66 yards on nine carries, including a touchdown run.
CLASS A VS. CLASS AA
No. 10 St. Marys (1-0) at Scott (0-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: St. Marys defeated Roane County 31-13 to avenge a loss to the Raiders from last season. Scott fell 28-14 to Herbert Hoover in the season opener for both teams.
Why It’s Important: After winning just once last year, Scott doesn’t want to fall in an 0-2 hole at the beginning of this season. But that win? It came against St. Marys, and despite the long trip ahead of them, the Blue Devils aren’t likely to forget that fact.
Who to Watch for St. Marys: Ben Long was a revelation in the St. Marys running game, scoring four touchdowns and rushing for 124 yards on just 16 carries. Quarterback Brennan Boron went 11-23 for 145 yards, and while that might not seem like an astronomical number, it was certainly enough to help balance a Blue Devil offensive attack that approached 400 yards.
Other Games: Wirt County (0-1) at Paden City (0-1); Lincoln County (0-1) at Roane County (0-1)