MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Coming off of a 12-win season in 2018 and with a quality group of seniors returning, this was viewed as ‘the year’ for Doddridge County.
The challenge has been met with a Super Six appearance.
“At the beginning of the season, we were asked a lot of questions about last year,” said Doddridge County head coach Bobby Burnside. “I think the whole team, the coaching staff and players, everyone agreed that last year was over with. Let’s put the work in and make this year special. Those guys have really done that.”
The Bulldogs average 256 yards a game on the ground. Senior Hunter America has scored 25 touchdowns and amassed 2,050 yards. His success has been built on an offensive line that has played well above expectations after taking some graduation hits in the offseason.
“Two of those five linemen are seniors and have anchored us — Cole James and Devin Farley,” Burnside said.
Over 13 games, the Bulldogs have allowed 82 points, just over six per contest. And the defense is an opportunistic unit. With 21 interceptions and 20 fumble recoveries, they average over three takeaways per game.
“Hunter Jenkins has eleven picks. Griffin (Devericks) doesn’t get thrown at a lot but he just tied our school record for career interceptions with an interception in the semifinal game. And sophomore Jared Jones has four interceptions and has played really well this year,” Burnside said.
Adversity comes in many forms and Wheeling Central has faced its share.
Brown University recruit Curtis McGhee, the team’s quarterback, suffered a torn ACL in Week 8. The Maroon Knights entered the postseason as the No. 10 seed, which meant three road playoff games and more than 1,200 miles of travel.
“The kids have adjusted well to it,” said Wheeling Central head coach Mike Young. “They accepted the challenge and I am very proud of our coaches, our kids and our fans that followed us.”
Central’s run to the Super Six was seconds away from being short circuited in the opening round of the postseason. But in the final seconds of the playoff opener at No. 7 Tolsia, Jacob Rine found Jalen Creighton on a 61-yard touchdown connection as the Knights escaped with a 13-12 win.
Rine is now 5-1 as a starter in McGhee’s absence.
“The Tolsia game was definitely a pick-me-up and then to go down to Ritchie and play as well as he did and then have a great game at Pendleton,” Young said. “But he will be the first one to tell you it is his teammates. So many kids are doing a fantastic job.”
With a 6-4 regular season record, Central may have played its toughest schedule under Young.
“Without a doubt the schedule that we played prepared us to battle on the road, to battle good teams and to be in the Super Six,” Young said.