Washington (2-3) at No. 1 Martinsburg (5-0)
The No. 1 team in the state continued to roll last week as the Martinsburg Bulldogs played their first team from the eastern panhandle in the Hedgesville Eagles. Martinsburg’s offense racked up 557 yards of offense including 315 yards on the ground as the Bulldogs won their 19th game in a row by a 57-0 score.
Martinsburg quarterback Brandon Ashenfelter had one of his better performances of the season going 13 for 18 for 242 yards and two scores and wide receiver Cedric Brown caught six passes for 150 yards and one score. The Martinsburg defense continued its dominance as the Bulldogs recorded their sixth shutout in seven games. Martinsburg held Hedgesville to 95 yards of total offense in the game.
This week Martinsburg welcome the Washington Patriots to town for Homecoming, Washington is coming off a tough 14-7 loss to Handley from Winchester Va., a game that saw the defense play well for the Patriots but the offense struggled against the Judges defense especially in the second half as Washington did not make it across the Handley 46 yard line the entire half. Running back Larnelle Patterson led the way with 67 yards rushing.
Washington comes into the game this week with their backs against the wall as far as the playoffs go. A loss to Martinsburg would drop the Patriots to 2-4, but the remaining games should find Washington as the favorite in each matchup as they play: Skyline, Va. (2-3), Frankfort (0-5), Hampshire (1-4), and Jefferson (0-6). So, a loss this week and then four straight wins, and Washington could get into the playoffs with a 6-4 record.
Washington defeated Musselman for the first time in school history two weeks ago. The only school that Washington has not beaten in the panhandle is Martinsburg. In the previous three matchups Martinsburg has outscored Washington 164-39.
For Martinsburg after this week the Bulldogs will face maybe their toughest game of the year in Patrick Henry out of Roanoke, Va. which is 4-1 on the season. Washington and Martinsburg will battle Friday Night at 7:00pm.
No. 10 Musselman (4-2) at Hedgesville (2-3)
Musselman head coach Denny Price was concerned about his ball club bouncing back after the tough 25-22 loss to Washington. After his team struggled in the first half offensively against the Jefferson Cougars his concern might have been right. But, even though the offense was not clicking early Musselman still had a 17-7 lead at the half. Musselman got the spark that it’s been looking for in the second half on the opening kickoff as Maverick Keller took the line drive kick 75 yards for a touch down and after that play Musselman seemed to gain momentum on both sides of the ball and cruised to a 45-14 win over the winless Cougars. Keller led the Applemen rushing attack as Jefferson really keyed in on running back Josh Ferguson. Also the Musselman defense stepped up stopping the Cougars Garrett Grantham who was doing just about everything for Jefferson.
This week, Musselman, ranked No. 10 in the state, will travel to Hedgesville to face an Eagle team that is 2-3 on the season, and is now fighting to stay in the playoff race. Hedgesville is coming off a 57-0 loss to Martinsburg. Hedgesville’s offense, like most teams this year, struggled against the Bulldogs defense quarterback Troy Markley was only able to completefive5 passes for 34 yards and rushed for just 36 yards as Hedgesville was only able to gain 95 yards of offense in the game. Hedgesville’s defense had problems stopping the spread formation attack of Martinsburg as the Bulldogs racked up over 500 yards of offense. It’s a big matchup for both teams this week as they both try to get into the playoffs as both teams still have tough games left after this week’s matchup. Musselman still has games against No. 5 Class AA Keyser and Martinsburg at the end of the season.
For Hedgesville, the Eagles still have games against undefeated Boonesboro next week and Wheeling Park (3-2) who have won three in a row. For Hedgesville a loss this week means that they would probably have to win out to get in. For Musselman a loss this week would not force the Applemen to win out but might mean the Applemen would have to win against Keyser or Martinsburg. It’s a big game this week for both ball clubs. Game time is set for 7:00pm
Other Games this week
Jefferson (0-6)-Idle
No. 10 Class A Moorefield (4-2)-Idle
Northern Garrett, Md. at Hampshire (1-4)
Southern Garrett, Md. at Petersburg (1-4)
Frankfort (0-5) at Allegany, Md.
Berkeley Springs (2-4) at No. 5 Class AA Keyser (4-1)
Tucker County (2-3) at No. 6 Class A East Hardy (5-0)-Game will be played on Thursday