Patrick Henry, Va.(5-1) at No. 2 Martinsburg(6-0)
The Martinsburg Bulldogs saw their winning streak go to 20 in a row last week with another impressive victory, this time a 60-0 win over the Washington Patriots. The offense led by quarterback Brandon Ashenfelter, who went 10 for 15 for 146 yards and three scores, could not be stopped as the Bulldogs racked up 398 yards of total offense and for the second week in a row scored over 55 points.
The defense once again shut down their opponent as Martinsburg recorded their fifth shutout of the season and the first team defense still has not given up a touchdown since the fourth quarter in the semi-final round of the playoffs last year. That makes 28 straight quarters the first team defense has not given up a point.
This week the Bulldogs welcome Patrick Henry out of Roanoke, Va. to Martinsburg. A team, like Martinsburg, that features a lot of speed and athletic ability. The Patriots, under first year head coach Alan Fiddler. Fiddler is a graduate of Musselman High School and had great success at Moorefield High School. Moorefield won six state championships in Fiddler’s 10 years at the helm. Fiddler was 98-28 in his years at Moorefield. Fiddler then left Moorefield and took over at Glenville State and continued his success there going 45-32 in seven seasons.
Fiddler takes over a Patrick Henry program that is two years removed from a 3-7 season. The Patriots have turned it around and are now 5-1 this year. They feature a spread formation offense with one of the best dual threat quarterbacks that Martinsburg will face all season in 6-foot, 175 pound junior David Prince. Prince has already been offered a scholarship to play at the next level from the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. Prince, this season, has thrown for 732 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for a team high 486 yards and another four scores. Prince accounts for 57-percent of the Patriots offense.
However, Prince is not the only Division 1 talent on the team, Punter Nick Conte will be a preferred walk on at the University of Virginia next year and is averaging 41 yards per punt. A lot of people think that this will be the toughest opponent for Martinsburg to date and when you look at the numbers, it could be a very even game. Martinsburg is averaging 357.2 yards of offense per game while Patrick Henry is averaging 356.8 per game. Patrick Henry has rushed for 104 more yards than Martinsburg but the Bulldogs have thrown for 106 more yards than the Patriots for a total difference of two yards. On the defensive side, Martinsburg would have to get the advantage when you look at the numbers. Patrick Henry is giving up 3.4 yards per play while Martinsburg has given up 2.2 yards per game. It will be an interesting match up Friday Night between two very good Football Teams. Game time is set for 7:00pm
No. 7 Musselman(5-2) at Hampshire(1-5)
The Musselman Applemen was able to run away from Hedgesville last week in the 2nd half last week and defeated their Berkeley County rival 54-13. The game was marred in the first half by fumbles and penalties but Musselman was able to hold a 19-13 lead at the half. Musselman once again put together another strong second half as the Applemen were able to rush for over 300 yards in the half and cruised to a win, their 5th of the season which matches the total from last year. Musselman was led by running back Josh Ferguson with 145 yards rushing in the game. Musselman’s defense stepped up as well as they held Hedgesville to just 65 yards of total offense in the second half. Musselman helped their playoff chances as well with the win as they could be just 1 win away from securing a playoff spot. They will try to get that win this week as they hit the road for the final road game of the season as they take on the Hampshire Trojans. Hampshire has been struggling this year at 1-5 and has lost three in a row and has been outscored 135-35 in those three games. Hampshire has played a tough schedule as three of their six opponents–Elkins, Mountain Ridge and Keyser–are in the playoffs if they started right now. The Musselman Applemen do not need a repeat of what happened a couple of weeks ago. Musselman had won two in a row and was going into the game when you looked at it on paper Musselman was a favorite in the game, they were coming off a big win and had a big game coming up the next week. Musselman hopes history does not repeat itself because the last time turned out to be a first ever loss to Washington 25-22. Musselman and Hampshire will battle Friday night at 7:00pm
Hedgesville (2-4) at Boonesboro, Md. (6-0)
The Hedgesville Eagles were trying to bounce back last week after a 57-0 loss to Martinsburg by taking on the Musselman Applemen. Hedgesville was able to hang around with Musselman in the first half trailing only 19-13 at the half. But the biggest play of the game came at around the 1:30 mark of the first half as quarterback Troy Markley drifted back to receive a punt and as he was tackled suffered a apparent concussion and did not return in the second half. Markley accounted for 182 yards of offense in the first half for Hedgesville but without him in the lineup the Eagles were only able to manage 65 yards of offense.
Now this week the road does not get any easier as the Eagles will go on the road to try to keep their playoff hopes alive against Boonesboro a team that is sitting at 6-0 on the season and has outscored their opponents 228-101 this season.
Hedgesville has to win this game to stay in the playoff hunt and the Eagles will not be at 100% as they are already missing three offensive linemen because of injury and now a huge question mark is the availability of Markley. Game time on Friday Night is at 7:00pm
Skyline, Va (3-3) at Washington (2-4)
The Washington Patriots find themselves in a position where they can not afford to have another loss on the season if the Patriots want to get into the playoffs for the first time in school history. Washington lost to the Martinsburg Bulldogs last week 60-0 to fall to 2-4 on the season. Washington could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball against one of the state’s best defensive teams as the Patriots were only able to gain 95 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Tyler Wilt was just 3 for 16 passing for 62 yards and was sacked seven times. Running back Tyrek Collier was held to just 43 yards on 14 carries.
This week Washington will welcome the Skyline Hawks to town, a team that started the season 0-2 but has since won three of their last four and is 2-0 in district play and in a tie for first in the district. The Hawks are coming off an exciting last second 26-20 win over Millbrook last week. A win this week would keep the playoff hopes alive for the Patriots but a loss and Washington will be eliminated from playoff contention. Game time is 7:00pm
No. 4 Class AA Keyser (5-1) at Jefferson (0-6)
The season for the Jefferson Cougars has turned into a one of the Cougars playing the role of spoiler as they are still looking for their first win of the season. Jefferson is coming off its bye week where the Cougars tried to get some guys healthy. Something that has hurt Jefferson all year is the injury bug. Three of Jefferson’s final four opponents have a chance to get into the playoffs and it starts this week with the Keyser Golden Tornado which is 5-1 on the season and is looking for a win over a Class AAA team to help their playoff positioning. Game time Friday Night is set for 7:00pm
Other Games
Clear Spring, Md. at Berkeley Springs (2-5)
No. 9 Moorefield (4-2) at No. 6 East Hardy (6-0)
Frankfort (0-6) at Petersburg (1-5)