A big win for Class AAA No. 2 Martinsburg on Friday night was one of the highlights during week number eight of the high school football season. The undefeated Bulldogs (7-0) erased a 3-0 fourth quarter deficit to edge a very good Patrick Henry, Virginia team 14-9.
It was Martinsburg’s 21st straight win. However, one streak did come to an end as the Martinsburg first-team defense gave up a point for the first time in 28 quarters. Overall, the Bulldogs had 255 offensive yards in the game – running back Justin Arndt had both of the touchdowns on the ground for Martinsburg in the win.
Elsewhere, No. 12 Capital (5-2) jumped out early on Cabell Midland (5-3) and held on for the 31-29 win. No. 1 Bridgeport (8-0) handled Class AA No. 8 Grafton (5-2) 31-7 and No. 3 George Washington (8-0) beat Riverside (3-4) 42-7.
Also, an impressive win for No. 6 Logan (6-1) as the Wildcats came back from behind late to beat No. 10 Huntington (4-3) 28-27. Logan took the early 13-0 lead in the first half, dominating the time of possession 20:16 to 3:44. The Highlanders, however, responded in the second half with 27 straight points to take the lead. Logan responded with a three-yard touchdown run by Joe Street with four minutes to go, closing the gap to 27-20. The Wildcats then went for and recovered an onside kick, following that up with another touchdown drive and winning two point conversion. Street finished the night with 32 carries for 163 yards and three touchdowns.
A couple of other Class AAA scores, No. 9 Parkersburg South (4-3) struggled to get much going offensively, falling to Brooke (3-4) 12-10. Also, No. 13 Elkins (6-2) edges No. 14 Fairmont Senior (4-3) 21-20.
In Class AA, No. 1 Shady Spring (8-0) had no trouble with James Monroe (2-6), winning 49-7. Meanwhile, No. 2 Pt. Pleasant (7-0) backed up its ranking and undefeated record with a whipping of No. 6 Ravenswood 37-0.
No. 9 Greenbrier West (7-1) erased a 14-13 halftime deficit to beat Webster County (3-4) 25-21 – running back Dylan Trout scored the winning touchdown on a 22 yard run with 4:14 to go in the contest.
Also, No. 16 Summers County (5-3) kept its playoff hopes alive, beating Class A No. 14 Meadow Bridge (4-3) 26-6. Summers County running back Jesse Howdershelt led the Bobcats with 240 yards rushing on 25 carries – he scored on long second half touchdown runs of 64 yards and 77 yards. With those 240 yards, Howdershelt eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the season.
No. 3 River View is undefeated on the year at 7-0, beating Midland Trail (1-6) 52-32. River View jumped out to the early 18-0 lead following three turnovers that set up scoring drives. River View quarterback Jacob Muncy finished the night going 9 of 11 through the air for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Overall, the Raiders totaled 437 yards offensively.
In Class A, one of the most anticipated games of the week had No. 3 Williamstown (7-0) taking down No. 2 Wirt County (6-1) 27-13. The Yellow Jackets avenged two losses to the Tigers from last season. Williamstown’s Ben Amos had a big interception for his team, taking it all the way in for a touchdown.
Also in Class A, No. 4 Wahama (7-0) stayed unbeaten by handling South Gallia, Ohio (6-2) 28-6. No. 15 Parkersburg Catholic (5-3) scored with just five seconds left in the game to beat Valley (Fayette) 27-22. Also, a big win for No. 6 East Hardy (7-0) over No. 9 Moorefield (4-3) 27-7.
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