56 games were played throughout the state on Friday night during week number four of the high school football season.
In Class AAA, No. 1 ranked Martinsburg (4-0) continued its defensive domination on the year by blanking Morgantown (2-2) 33-0.
“Morgantown’s got a great team, they really do,” said Martinsburg head coach Dave Walker. “They pushed us around a little bit, but we were able to buckle down and do what we had to do. But I’m very pleased – it was two good football teams going at it and it was a very physical football game.”
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, entered the week tied with Spring Valley (3-1) for the top spot in Class AAA. The Timberwolves, however, lost to No. 15 Woodrow Wilson (3-1) in one of the best games of the night, 29-28. Spring Valley actually led at the half 15-6, but Beckley outscored the Timberwolves 23-13 in the second half behind the legs of quarterback Andrew Johnson. He finished the game with four touchdowns overall and 136 yards on 11 carries, including a 51-yard touchdown scamper. Spring Valley had a chance to tie the game at 29, but the extra point was missed following a touchdown. A 50-yard field goal attempt for the win later in the game also came up short of the Timberwolves as Woodrow Wilson held on.
Another big game in Class AAA had No. 4 George Washington (4-0) handling No. 3 Hurricane (3-1) on the road 35-0. GW’s Ryan Switzer continued to put up huge numbers, he finished the game with 189 yards on 17 carries and four total touchdowns – one of those was an interception that he returned for a score defensively.
Big win for Huntington (3-1) on the night as well – the Highlanders defeated a previously undefeated Parkersburg (3-1) team 27-17, scoring 21 unanswered points to pull out the win.
“To me, this was a program changing game,” said Huntington head coach Billy Seals. “It was an opportunity for us to put ourselves a little bit more clear in the playoff picture.”
Huntington was previously 1-14 against the Big Reds prior to Friday’s win.
Also out of Class AAA, No. 7 Bridgeport (4-0) handled No. 4 Robert C. Byrd (3-1) 28-14. The Indians ran for 364 yards and totaled more than 400 yards of offense. Defensively, Bridgeport held RCB to just 49 offensive yards in the second half.
Also, South Charleston is now just 1-3 on the year – the Black Eagles fell to Cabell Midland (2-2) 27-21.
In Class AA, No. 1 Shady Spring (4-0) rolled Independence (2-2) on the road, 48-8. Also, Ritchie County (4-0) continued its unbeaten start to the year by edging Braxton County (2-2) 20-12. Ritchie County had been 12-88 over the past 10 years and head coach Mike Dawson says the undefeated start is a welcomed change.
“Our kids are amazing and for them to really believe in each other and believe in this staff – that’s the secret,” he said. “Coaches coach and players play – and when the players play the way ours are playing, it makes coaching a whole lot more fun.”
James Monroe evened its record at 2-2 on the year behind Matt Romanello who finished with 282 yards rushing and six touchdowns as his team defeated Pikeview (1-3) 61-43.
In Class A, top ranked Williamstown (3-0) handled South Harrison (2-2) on the road easily, 42-0. Also, No. 10 Meadow Bridge (3-0) held off a fierce second half rally from No. 5 Fayetteville (3-1), beating the Pirates 33-31. Meadow Bridge led at the half 25-9, but Fayetteville poured it on in the fourth quarter – the Pirates fumbled a two point conversion to potentially tie the game with about a minute to go.
To see a complete scoreboard recap, click here.