MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — When Martinsburg returns to a very familiar stage in the Class AAA state championship game Saturday afternoon, 1,474 days will have passed since the Bulldogs tasted defeat. With 55 consecutive wins and seven titles in nine years, head coach Dave Walker says this year’s group has been an easy one to coach.
“They enjoy being around each other,” said Walker. “I think that is key especially being around each other. Chemistry is always something you worry about and you don’t hear coaches talk about team chemistry. Our guys get along great and they’re just good guys. I enjoy being around them.”
Quarterback Elijah Banks has 40 touchdown passes. Four receivers share the wealth in the passing game. Both lines are stocked with seniors and returning starters. And then there’s the junior running back duo of Kevon Warren and Naieem Kearney. Both could finish the year with 1,000-yard campaigns.
“Naieem has been banged up a little bit earlier in the year and he is really just getting back from an ankle injury,” Walker said. “Kevon has just stepped in and done some great things for us.”
In 13 games, Martinsburg has outscored their opposition 810-101, and in most games junior varsity Bulldogs played the majority of the second halves. No opponent has finished a game within 34 points of the Bulldogs.
“A lot of our guys don’t get to play four quarters,” Walker said. “So we have to make sure practice is maintained so we keep our conditioning and our kids stay focused.”
Just like Martinsburg, Cabell Midland enters the playoffs with a 13-0 mark and equally impressive offensive numbers.
After rushing for 282 yards in the semifinal win over Spring Valley, the Knights surpassed the 5,000-yard mark on the ground. Quarterback and Wake Forest commit J.J. Roberts has rushed for 1,388 yards. Jakob Caudill has added 1,771 yards.
And believe it or not, the deep backfield fought through some injuries.
“We lost three good running backs, three good players and now they are all back for the first time. Even Isaiah Vaughn is back,” said Cabell Midland head coach Luke Salmons.
Leading the way for Midland’s option offense is an experienced and powerful line.
“It starts with toughness,” Salmons said. “We are not the biggest but they will fight you. They’re mean. They’re tough. They’re smart. And that’s what it takes to play offensive or defensive line.”
After a 6-5 season in 2018 and just one playoff win in the last three seasons, Salmons says his team has passed every test and is deserving of a shot at the school’s first title.
“It is special because they are a good group of kids who have been doubted,” Salmons said. “They have been through a lot. It just tells you what type of team the kids are and how they care about each other. We are real excited and I know the kids are.”