— By Eric Little
Two small school rivals meet, several showdown games are set at both the big and small school levels and a Class AAA school returns home to face a worthy challenger.
GAMES TO WATCH
CLASS AAA
No. 7 Greenbrier East (5-2) at No. 3 Parkersburg South (7-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Parkersburg South stayed perfect with a 35-28 win over Morgantown. The Patriots rallied from a one-point fourth-quarter deficit to hold on for the win after scoring early in the fourth to take the lead. Greenbrier East dealt a harsh blow to Ripley’s playoff hopes in a 34-28 overtime win. The Spartans scored the game’s last 20 points to erase a 14-point fourth quarter deficit.
Why It’s Important: Parkersburg South is looking to stay perfect, but they’ve got a difficult close to their schedule — Greenbrier East, at Wheeling Park and home against crosstown rival Parkersburg. The Spartans are gaining momentum after Friday’s overtime win was their third straight.
Who to Watch for Parkersburg South: Devin Gaines was a one-man wrecking crew for the Patriots in Morgantown last Friday. Gaines scored four touchdowns on a night where he picked up 214 yards on 23 carries. One of those touchdowns was a punishing, 90-yard run reminiscent of the exploits of Herschel Walker or Earl Campbell, or for contemporary audiences, perhaps Owen Schmitt. It’s a shame Gaines won’t be old enough to run for Governor next year, because he already checks off two major boxes: Paves roads and gets things done.
No. 10 Spring Mills (4-3) at No. 12 Parkersburg (4-3)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: In a game it badly needed to win to boost playoff hopes, Parkersburg defeated Hurricane 42-28. Spring Mills defeated Albert Gallatin, Pa., 22-19 to end its own two-game losing skid.
Why It’s Important: Both teams are looking to solidify playoff berths and/or positioning, and a win Friday would boost the rankings for both.
Who to Watch for Parkersburg: Bryson Singer threw for 234 yards and four touchdowns for Parkersburg, connecting with Braeden Mason for three of those scoring plays. Singer also ran for a touchdown as part of a 171-yard rushing performance, so all told, 405 yards of offense from Singer. Not a shabby night for the Big Red signal caller.
No. 16 Ripley (3-4) at Princeton (1-6)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Ripley suffered a heartbreaking 34-28 loss in overtime to Greenbrier East in a game the Vikings led by 14 entering the fourth quarter. Princeton fell 42-28 to James Monroe — the Tigers’ fifth straight loss.
Why It’s Important: The Vikings are running out of time if they want to get into the playoffs for a second straight season. They have a chance to win out, and that’s just what they might need to do to get in.
Who to Watch for Ripley: Noah Westfall ran for a Ripley score and threw for another. Westfall was one of four different players to rush for Viking touchdowns. Cameron Ramsey, Jacob Fouty and Kadin Hall provided the other three. It’s this diversity in the running game — successfully using multiple threats — that makes the Vikings a tough team to stop. It’s also what they’ll need to lean on during the season’s final three games.
CLASS A
No. 4 Williamstown (7-1) at No. 14 Parkersburg Catholic (5-3)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: In a game that was tied at 16 halfway through the second quarter, Williamstown pulled away with a shutdown effort in the second half to earn a 46-28 win over Tyler Consolidated — its seventh straight. Parkersburg Catholic fell 26-20 to Pendleton County in a neutral site game contested in Fairmont.
Why It’s Important: Parkersburg Catholic wants badly to re-establish this game as a rivalry by taking a win from the Yellowjackets. Williamstown did a fine job last year of showing the Crusaders who was boss, dealing the upstart club a 48-6 setback a year ago. The Crusaders want to take some of the sting away from that loss while Williamstown wants to keep rolling toward the postseason.
Who to Watch for Williamstown: Against a team who’s already faced their fair share of the state’s best Class A running backs, Ty Moore posted 288 yards and five touchdowns on 29 carries against Tyler Consolidated. Though Hunter America of Doddridge County gets all the credit he deserves, Moore outproduced America in terms of yards and points against the Silver Knights.
Eric Brown caught three passes from Brayden Modesitt, including a 21-yard touchdown pass.
Who to Watch for Parkersburg Catholic: Ethan Lang had a big game, catching four passes – including a touchdown – for 131 yards. Jeb Boice caught a touchdown pass and threw two others. When you combine his passing, rushing and receiving totals, Boice accounted for 249 of Parkersburg Catholic’s 275 yards of total offense.
No. 12 South Harrison (4-3) at No. 8 St. Marys (5-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: St. Marys easily handled Magnolia 40-6 – the third win in the last four weeks for the Blue Devils. South Harrison bounced back from a loss to defeat Tygarts Valley 34-13. The Hawks have won four of their last five games after an 0-2 start and are now firmly within the Class A playoff discussion.
Why It’s Important: Every team left on the St. Marys schedule – South Harrison, Ravenswood and Tyler Consolidated – still stands a chance to get into the playoffs, and will be motivated to give their best. So for the Blue Devils, their playoffs essentially started with a 3-2 record after their shutout loss to Williamstown. South Harrison faces Sherman and Tucker County this week, so they’re in the same boat.
Who to Watch for St. Marys: Richard Dornan, William Steele and Brennan Boron all ran for scores for the Blue Devils in their win last week against Magnolia. Boron also threw for 252 yards, including a pair of touchdown passes to Lucas Lipscomb.
Wirt County (3-5) at No. 3 Ritchie County (6-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Ritchie County ran their winning streak to three games with a 62-34 win over Webster County. Wirt County snapped a four-game losing skid in a 61-0 loss to Hannan.
Why It’s Important: Ritchie County needs to keep focused on the possibility for greater things ahead, while Wirt County likely views this sort of like a bowl game – one big shot to pick off a really good football team.
Who to Watch for Ritchie County: Both of Gus Morrison’s catches went for touchdowns in last week’s win against Webster County. Tre Moss ran 11 times for 149 yards and a score for the Rebels. Seth Hardy and Garrett Owens also had two touchdown runs each, while Kayden Procacina also tallied a touchdown run.
Who to Watch for Wirt County: Trent Richards ran for two scores and scored on defense, thanks to a pick-six. Zac Yoak hauled in two touchdown passes. Garrett Parsons threw a touchdown pass and ran for two more touchdowns.
Magnolia (0-7) at No. 16 Tyler Consolidated (4-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Magnolia fell for the seventh straight week in a 40-6 loss to St. Marys. Tyler Consolidated held close early, but fell away late in a 46-28 loss to Williamstown.
Why It’s Important: The upward climb toward a playoff spot continues for Tyler Consolidated. The Silver Knights have won four of five after an 0-2 start to the season.
Who to Watch for Tyler Consolidated: The emerging pass duo of Gage Huffman to Jayden Helmick struck again last week in Tyler’s loss to the Yellowjackets. The two combined for a pair of touchdown passes, two of Helmick’s four catches in the game. Mark Rucker racked up another 250 yards and two touchdowns for the Silver Knights on 22 carries.
CLASS AA VS. CLASS A
Roane County (2-4) at Ravenswood (3-4)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Roane County fell 27-13 to Lincoln – the Raiders’ third straight loss. Ravenswood was shutout for the second time this season in a 31-0 loss to the Doddridge County Bulldogs.
Why It’s Important: Roane County can finish a rough season on a bright note if they can win out and end up at 5-4. Ravenswood is running out of time to become a playoff team, but a win against a Class AA team would be a ratings booster.
Who to Watch for Roane County: Josh Huffman ran for 145 yards and two scores against Lincoln last week.
Who to Watch for Ravenswood: The Red Devils were held to just 155 total yards of offense in last week’s loss to Doddridge County. They’ll likely lean on their backfield, and guys like Jacob Creel and Chase Hood, to carry the load against the Raiders.
Other games: Paden City (2-5) at Hancock, MD (1-6)