— By Shawn Rine
CLASS A
Tyler Consolidated (6-3) at No. 6 St. Marys (7-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Tyler Consolidated took it easy, rolling to a 32-6 victory against Valley Wetzel for its sixth win in its last seven outings. St. Marys continued to showcase its resurgent defense, powering past Ravenswood, 27-6.
Why it’s important: From everything that is being reported across the state, this is a do-or-die game for the Silver Knights. If Tyler can find a way to win, it will makes its second straight postseason appearance. A loss means a premature end to what was thought of as a promising season. The Blue Devils are searching for a home playoff game, and likely need to win this one to make it happen.
Who to watch for Tyler Consolidated: Mark Rucker left. Mark Rucker right. Mark Rucker up the middle, in the flat, down the seam and on a wheel route and in the return game. Starting to get the point? The Silver Knights’ soon-to-be three-time first-team all-stater is going to get the ball plenty.
Who to watch for St. Marys: While the Blue Devils don’t necessarily have one go-to guy ala Rucker, Ben Long racked up 102 yards and a pair of scores on 14 carries in last week’s victory against Ravenswood.
Magnolia (0-9) at No. 10 Wheeling Central (5-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Magnolia ran into a buzzsaw by the name of Fort Frye, Ohio. The Blue Eagles were beaten, 69-8. Wheeling Central fell to a tough St. Clairsville, Ohio, squad, 35-20.
Why it’s important: It has been an unusually tough season in New Martinsville. Low numbers doomed Magnolia from the outset and it has been outscored, 427-82, against an absolutely brutal schedule. The Blue Eagles will be fired up to try to not only knock off rival Wheeling Central, but avoid a winless season in the process.
The Maroon Knights will be on the road for the entirety of the postseason, which they’ve maneuvered successfully on their way to titles in the past. The key here will be getting primed for that run and exiting the game with all of their key components healthy.
Who to watch for Magnolia: The main weapon this season has been Silas McKeever. He has rushed for more than 600 yards and last week also caught four passes, including a 5-yard touchdown from quarterback Caden Cisar.
Who to watch for Wheeling Central: There are plenty of weapons to choose from, but let’s go with senior receiver Jalen Creighton. He has hauled in 28 passes for 425 yards and seven touchdowns. Creighton caught a pair of TDs from QB Jacob Rine last week.
CLASS AAA
No. 6 Wheeling Park (7-2) at No. 16 John Marshall (4-5)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Finally back home for the first time in roughly a month, Wheeling Park made an emphatic statement by knocking Parkersburg South from the ranks of the unbeaten, 35-27. John Marshall went on the road to Warren, Ohio, and brought a 34-17 victory back to Glen Dale.
Why it’s important: John Marshall is bidding for a third consecutive postseason berth. Should the Monarchs prevail in this game, they will be in the big dance. They can still qualify with a loss, but things get dicey and they’ll need help from others.
Wheeling Park is rolling into the playoffs, with the only question being if it gets one home playoff game or two. Though two home games aren’t guaranteed, beating JM can only help in that regard. The Patriots are looking for their 10th straight win in the series.
Who to watch for Wheeling Park: This offense is explosive. Senior Kennedy Award candidate Alex Dunlevy has more than 2,500 total yards. He has completed 135-of-199 passes for 2,198 yards and 24 TDs against two INTs. His favorite targets are Carson Namack (32 catches, 624 yards, four scores) and Steven Mitchell (30-519-10). Raphael Bradley paces the ground game with 526 yards and five touchdowns.
Who to watch for John Marshall: Likewise, the Monarchs offense has come into its own by averaging better than 34 points an outing in its last four games. Justin Frohnapfel has thrown for more than 1,000 yards while backs Alex Burton and Dalton Flowers have combined for more than 1,300 yards rushing.
Other games: Class AAA No. 15 Preston (4-5) at Brooke (2-7); Clay-Battelle (5-4) at Hundred (2-7); Valley-Wetzel (2-7) at Paden City (3-6)