— By Fred Persinger II
GAMES TO WATCH
CLASS AAA
Hurricane (1-3) at Woodrow Wilson (1-3)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Hurricane lost a late lead and the game to Cabell Midland, 20-16. Beckley lost to Huntington, 38-19.
Why is this game important: Even though they are 1-3, both teams are still very much in the Class AAA playoff hunt. This is a must win for both to try to get in the top 16 and each team has its fair share of tough tests in the second half of the regular season.
Who to watch for Hurricane: Quarterback Austin Womack had a good week last week against Cabell Midland. Womack completed 15-of-34 passes for 198 yards. Receiver Ryan Moses caught six passes for 102 yards.
Who to watch for Beckley: Sophomore quarterback Maddex McMillen continued to improve and went 16-for-24 for 168 yards and a touchdown. McMillen and also rushed for a score as well.
CLASS AA
James Monroe (2-1) at No. 4 Wyoming East (3-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: James Monroe ran away from PikeView, 62-27. Wyoming East defeated Oak Hill, 44-39
Why is this game important: This game is more of a must win for James Monroe. The Mavericks are 2-1, but sitting outside the top 16 in Class AA. With a crowded group of teams at 2-1, a win over a top 5 team will give the Mavericks a lot of points. Plus with a tough schedule left that includes games against Bluefield, Liberty Raleigh and Point Pleasant, James Monroe’s margin for error is small.
For Wyoming East, it is important to keep the positive season going and continue to play good football. The Warriors weren’t at their best last week, but found a way to remain unbeaten against the Red Devils.
Who to watch for James Monroe: Monroe Mohler has done just about everything for James Monroe on both sides of the ball and continues to be a team leader.
Who to watch for Wyoming East: Quarterback Seth Ross continues to impress and improve as the season moves on. Last week against Oak Hill, Ross was 12-for-18 passing with three touchdowns including, the game winning score late in the fourth quarter.
No. 8 Liberty Raleigh (3-0) at Clay County (2-1)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Liberty was off, while Clay County defeated Herbert Hoover, 36-27.
Why is this game important: For Liberty, the Raiders have not been in this position for a long time. The last time they were 3-0 was 2006 and they hope to keep the good season going.
For Clay County, the Panthers are sitting at 2-1 and are trying to get back into the playoff picture — a win over a top 10 team would be a big help.
Who to watch for Liberty-Raleigh: The offense has been able to put up an abundance of points in the first three games, averaging 47 points per game. That’s taken some attention away from a defense has played well and is giving up just 15 points per game.
Who to watch for Clay County: Junior quarterback Grant Krajeski went 13-of-17 passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns last week in the win over Hoover.
Other games: Buckhannon-Upshur (1-2) at Class AAA No. 14 Greenbrier East (2-2); Tazewell, Va. (2-1) at Princeton (1-2); Class AA No. 2 Keyser (4-0) at No. 11 Nicholas County (3-1); Richlands, Va. (1-2) at Class AA No. 12 Bluefield (2-1); Class AA No. 16 Shady Spring (3-1) at PikeView (0-4); Westside (0-4) at Independence (2-2); Class A No. 3 Midland Trail (3-1) at Summers County (1-3); East Hardy (1-2) at Class A No. 12 Meadow Bridge (2-1); Richwood (2-2) at Pocahontas County (1-3); Ravenswood (1-2) at Sherman (0-4); Mount View (2-2) at Webster County (2-2)