Friday, November 5
Musselman Applemen (5-4) at Brooke Bruins (7-2)
Brooke continued its recent scoring binge by routing John Marshall 69-13 to clinch a playoff spot. The Bruins scored at least two touchdowns in each quarter. Brooke sophomore quarterback Alec Buchmelter continued his brilliant streak as he was 16 of 20 for 235 yards and a touchdown pass to Shane Paesano. The Brooke ground attack was crunching once again as the Bruins pounded out nearly 400 yards. Ryan Lazear rushed for 135 yards and three scores on just eight carries. Lazear has 815 yards and 14 scores while running mate Ian Morris has collected 746 yards and 10 scores. Buchmelter has completed 86 of 160 passes for 1260 stripes, 12 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and has rushed for 340 yards. Musselman put forth a game effort in their 35-14 to undefeated Martinsburg. Brooke most likely finishes eighth with a win but probably would fall to tenth with a loss. A Musselman win should propel the Applemen to the 16th and final playoff spot. Last year, Brooke scored twice in the final seven minutes to escape with a 14-13 victory to complete a 10-0 season.
John Marshall Monarchs (1-8) at Parkersburg South Patriots (5-4)
John Marshall lost to Brooke 69-13. The Monarchs trailed 14 to 7 in the second quarter, but then the proverbial wheels fell off. Again, John Marshall just could not stop the run. Junior QB Aaron Fonner was 8 of 21 for 147 yards and a touchdown. For the year, Fonner is 112 of 203 for 1646 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has rushed for 460 yards and eight scores. Meanwhile, The Patriots shellacked Wheeling Park 41-14 as three backs each rushed for over 100 yards. With the Monarchs having problems stopping the run, South certainly could duplicate lass weeks feat. Parkersburg South must win and hope for Brooke to defeat Musselman to make the playoffs. Should the Monarchs pull off the upset, South can still get in if Scott defeats Logan, Brooke defeats Musselman, Capital beats Huntington, and South Charleston defeats Riverside.
Grafton Bearcats (4-5) at Magnolia Blue Eagles (9-0)
The Magnolia Blue Eagles got a 6 yard touchdown run from Jayson Keller with less than five minutes remaining to edge Oak Glen 7-6 in a hard fought contest. Keller led the ground game with 140 yards while QB Justin Fox added 55 stripes and kicked the game-winning extra point. Fox was only 4 of 17 for 23 yards passing. The all-time passing leader at Magnolia is now at 5520 yards for his career and is 103 of 172 for 1667 yards with 19 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. Magnolia has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 344-48. Two years ago, Grafton came into this game 9 and 0 but the Blue Eagles upset the Bearcats. Grafton, though, got its revenge by defeating Magnolia in the state championship game. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Magnolia most likely finishes second with a win, which would guarantee the Blue Eagles home field advantage for the first three rounds. Grafton lost to Liberty-Harrison 14-0 last week.
Linsly Cadets (8-1) at Wheeling Central Maroon Knights (5-4)
Wheeling Central dropped a 26-21 decision to once-beaten Shadyside, Ohio. For the second straight game, Central played without injured all-state RB-LB Marcus Clifford who remains questionable for this week. Clifford has 920 yards and 15 touchdowns for the year. QB Lee Peluchette threw for 149 yards and a 56 yard touchdown pass to Max Peluchette. The Knight signal caller also ran for a score. The Maroon Knights have played one of, if not the hardest, schedule in the history of Ohio Valley football for a Class single A team. Six teams have won at least eight games already plus Bellaire, Ohio, a 56-7 victim of the Knights, finished at 7 and 3.
Linsly pounded blanked 8-1 Columbus Crusaders 28-0 as RB Phil Acrie rushed for a season high 252 yards and two touchdowns. For the year RB Phil Acrie has rushed for 1230 yards and 18 scores. The Cadets have won eight straight after opening the season with a 21-7 setback to undefeated and Ohio-ranked Mogadore. Since Linsly has always chosen not to apply for membership in the WVSSAC, this is their Super Bowl. With a win over the Cadets, Wheeling Central probably finishes ninth in the final ratings. A loss would drop them 5-5 but still likely to make the playoffs at positions 14-16.
Tyler Consolidated Silver Knights (2-7) at Weir Red Riders (1-8)
Tyler posted its second straight victory by defeating Clay 36-22. RB Isaac Graham rushed for 160 yards and three score. Weir could only manage 135 yards in a 40-0 loss to Buckeye Local,
Bishop Donahue Bishops (9-0) at Paden City Wildcats (2-7)
Bishop Donahue racked up its ninth straight triumph by defeating Madonna 21-6. The Bishops have now outscored its opponents by a combined score of 465-53. Bishop WR Ryan Jones hauled in three touchdown passes for 185 yards and now has grabbed 20 touchdowns passes on just 44 receptions. QB Jordan Angalich was 7 of 14 for 215 yards and the three touchdowns. For the season, Angalich is 80 of 121 for 1815 yards with 27 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. The Bishops have clinched home field for the first round of the playoffs and would insure another home game with a win. Most likely, either Wahama or Meadow Bridge would have to lose to allow the Bishops to host all three rounds. Paden City lost to Valley 27-6 last week.
Saturday, November 6
Clay-Battelle CeeBees (4-5) at Madonna Blue Dons (7-2) 6:30 pm
Madonna dropped a 21-6 decision to Bishop Donahue last Saturday night. RB Connor Arlia ran for 20 yards before leaving the game with an arm injury. His status this week is uncertain. Arlia leads the ground attack with 1235 yards and 24 touchdowns while QB Chris Perna is 30 of 61 for 527 yards and four scoring tosses. The defending Class A Champs will clinch a playoff spot with a win. A loss puts Madonna on the playoff bubble. Clay-Battelle lost to Notre Dame, an earlier Blue Don victim.
For the latest unofficial WV ratings, check out www.wtov9.com each Sunday afternoon.