GAMES TO WATCH
CLASS AA
No. 11 North Marion (6-2) at Robert C. Byrd (4-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: The Huskies won their second straight and fourth in their last five games by rolling past Philip Barbour, 47-6. The Eagles kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a 37-12 win over Grafton.
Why it’s important: North Marion can lock up a playoff bid with an important road win in this Big 10 Conference matchup. The Huskies’ only two losses this season are against the top-ranked teams in Class AA — No. 1 Fairmont Senior and No. 2 Bridgeport.
RCB, meanwhile, needs to win its last two regular season games and get some help to qualify for the playoffs. The Eagles would greatly benefit from going into their season finale above the .500 mark, but they’ll have to pick up their best win of the year to do so.
Who to watch for North Marion: Quarterback Gunner Murphy has established himself as one of the premier signal callers in Class AA. Murphy was 8-for-11 with 166 yards and four touchdowns against the Colts. Murphy could have success against a defense that’s allowed 156 points in the team’s four losses, including 56 apiece to both Keyser and Fairmont Senior, along with 43 against Bridgeport.
Who to watch for Robert C. Byrd: Sophomore sensation Jeremiah King is the focal point of what the Eagles strive to do. King rushed for 250 yards and four touchdowns against the Bearcats.
CLASS A
No. 2 Doddridge County (8-0) at No. 3 Williamstown (8-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last week: The Bulldogs blew by Valley Wetzel, 56-0, to remain unbeaten. The Yellowjackets won their eighth straight since losing their season opener, as they handled Parkersburg Catholic, 45-14.
Why it’s important: The top seed in Class A could very well be up for grabs in this showdown. Williamstown has been nearly flawless since its season-opening setback against Wheeling Central. These two teams are thought to perhaps be the top two challenges to dethrone the Maroon Knights this year and the winner of this one puts itself in better position for a postseason run.
Who to watch for Doddridge County: Two of the state’s most prolific tailbacks will be on display in this matchup, including the Bulldogs’ Hunter America. Last year’s recipient of the Curt Warner Award, America has 1,216 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games this year. Reese Burnside provides a nice change of pace in the backfield and shows 555 rushing yards with nine TDs.
Who to watch for Williamstown: Ty Moore keys the offense and found the end zone four times in the second half of last week’s win over the Crusaders. In addition to what Moore provides for the offense, quarterback Brayden Modesitt is a dual threat and rushed for a pair of scores against PC.
Other games: Class AAA No. 15 Preston (3-5) at Buckhannon-Upshur (1-7); Massanutten Academy, Va. (0-7) at Clay-Battelle (4-4); East Fairmont (4-4) at Lewis County (5-3); Elkins (2-6) at Class AA No. 1 Fairmont Senior (8-0); Class AA No. 7 Oak Glen (9-0) at Grafton (1-7); Class AA No. 10 Liberty Harrison (7-1) at Roane County (3-4); Lincoln (4-4) at Philip Barbour (0-8); Morgantown (2-7) at University (3-6); Sherman (1-7) at Class A No. 15 South Harrison (4-4); Trinity (2-6) at Class A No. 13 East Hardy (5-3); Pocahontas County (3-5) at Class A No. 10 Tygarts Valley (6-2)