As high school football teams get ready for week number three, those that everyone really expected to still be undefeated, are…..and those that wish they were are many!
In Class AAA, Martinsburg, Spring Valley, Huntington, Musselman, Cabell Midland and Parkersburg South are all sporting unblemished marks. In Class AA, the undefeated teams include Bluefield, Fairmont Senior, Bridgeport, Keyser, Poca, Nicholas County, Frankfort, Liberty Harrison, Liberty Raleigh, Sissonville, North Marion, Man and Oak Glen. In Class A, Wheeling Central leads a list of undefeated teams that also includes Doddridge County, Midland Trail, Ritchie County, St. Marys,Madonna, Pendleton County, Greenbrier West, Trinity Christian, Tygarts Valley and Webster County.
Certainly the season is just getting underway and being undefeated does not mean near as much on September 9th as it might in a couple of months! However, getting off to a good start is most important if teams have plans of playing some “free” football in November.
Looking ahead to week #3, there are some exciting games scheduled for all three classes. In Class AAA, the Cabell Midland Knights (2-0) will make the short trip to Spring Valley to take on the (2-0) Timber Wolves and the Martinsburg Bulldogs will hit the road to battle their big nemesis Sherando, Va.! Now while all four teams in the above games are still undefeated, we may find the best games in AAA this week will feature teams that are trying to avoid their second loss of the season in just three games. Leading that list is Capital (1-1) as they hit the road to Putnam County to take on the (1-1) Redskins of Hurricane. Some other games in AAA featuring teams with at least one loss this weekend include University (1-1) at Brooke (1-1), Woodrow Wilson (1-1) at Parkersburg (1-1) and Ripley (1-1) at Riverside (1-1). Certainly the most important game of the weekend in Class AAA will feature a team that is normally in the playoff hunt each year but is looking at starting the 2019 season (0-3)! The Patriots of George Washington have lost to South Charleston and Ashland Paul Blazer in the first two weeks, and this weekend they undoubtedly will face their toughest opponent of the young season as they welcome the undefeated Highlanders of Huntington to Steve Edwards Sr. Field.
In Class AA some of the must see games this weekend include North Marion (2-0) traveling to Fairmont on Thursday night to tackle the (2-0) Polar Bears of Fairmont Senior. Also in Class AA, the Bridgeport Indians (2-0) will battle the (2-0) Mountaineers of Liberty Harrison. The undefeated Bluefield Beavers (2-0) will face a very tough opponent as they travel to Daleville, Virginia to take on the Knights of Lord Botetourt. The Knights were the only team in the regular season last year to defeat Bluefield. Some of the (1-1) matchups that should be exciting this weekend include Grafton (1-1) at Lincoln (1-1), Nitro (1-1) at Herbert Hoover (1-1) and Roane County (1-1) at Clay County (1-1). Another note for Class AA teams, Point Pleasant begins their season this Friday night with a game at Gallia Academy in Ohio.
In Class A this week a couple of unbeaten teams will matchup when Tygarts Valley (2-0) travels to Webster County to take on the (2-0) Highlanders. The #1 team in Class A, Wheeling Central, will also have a tough matchup when they tangle with city rival Linsly!
Here’s an invitation for you to join Dave Jecklin and me for week #3 of High School GAMENIGHT this Friday night from 9:30 to Midnight! We will have all the score and highlights, plus talk with coaches, play by play guys and fans from across the state! If you plan on attending a game this Friday night, I extend an invitation for you to call the show and tell us about your team! The toll free number to call is 800-765-8255!