Friday, October 21
Fairmont Senior Polar Bears (4-3) at Wheeling Park Patriots (4-3)
Wheeling Park tallied 49 first half points and went on to rout Lincoln County 61-30. Quarterback Lee Peluchette completed only six passes, but four of them went for touchdowns, giving him 12 on the season. Park returned two kickoffs for scores while Vondel Bell hauled in a pair of scoring passes. Wheeling Park controls its playoff destiny by winning its final three games. Fairmont Senior dropped a 21-20 decision to Elkins. The teams have both faced University, with Park winning 42-14 and Fairmont dropping a 32-8 contest.
Brooke Bruins (3-4) at Weir Red Riders (0-7)
Brooke nipped Parkersburg South 12-10 to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Brooke had only 90 yards of offense but the Bruin defense stood tall when it counted. Brooke trailed 3-0 when Tim Faulkner ripped off a 24 yard scoring jaunt. The other Bruin score was a 13 yard touchdown pass from Alec Buchmelter to Heath Hildreth. Weir was dumped by Steubenville Catholic, Ohio, to the tune of 40-14 as the Red Riders misery continues.
John Marshall Monarchs (0-7) at Morgantown Mohigans (5-2)
John Marshall remains winless after a 57-25 facelift at University. Quarterback Aaron Fonner scored twice and threw for 200 yards and a score. The Monarchs fell behind 27-0 in the first quarter and could not recover. Obviously, another huge task is at hand as the Monarchs return to Morgantown to meet the Mohigans.
Magnolia Blue Eagles (3-4) at Barnesville, Ohio, Shamrocks (7-1)
Magnolia saw its playoff chances take a hit with a 27-6 loss at Robert C. Byrd. Magnolia could still make the playoff field, but must win its final three against Barnesville, Oak Glen, and Grafton. Meanwhile, the Shamrocks are fighting for a playoff spot in Ohio as they dropped a 20-10 decision to rival Monroe Central, Ohio. Barnesville was victimized by seven interceptions. Magnolia also lost to Monroe Central earlier in the year 40-24. The Blue Eagles continue the numbers battle as the defending AA champs are down to 25 players.
Valley Lumberjacks (3-5) at Bishop Donahue Bishops (5-2)
Bishop Donahue returns to action to take on the Valley Lumberjacks. The Bishops are led by the running tandem of Ollie Parker and Jordan Bonar. Bishop Donahue is on the playoff bubble as they still must face Wheeling Central next week and Paden City in the finale. Valley defeated Frontier, Ohio, 50-26 as their three wins have come against winless opponents.
Madonna Blue Dons (5-2) ) vs Wahama White Falcons (7-0) at Fairmont
Madonna outlasted stubborn Notre Dame 28-14 to remain in playoff contention. Quarterback Ross Comis rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Blue Don attack. Comis has amassed over 600 ground yards and has thrown for 900 stripes. Madonna faces a humongous task Friday night in Fairmont as they battle the undefeated White Falcons. The Falcons have reached 60 points in four of their seven wins and have allowed only 59 points, most of which occurred well after the game was decided. Wahama clinches a playoff spot with a win and virtually guarantees home field advantage for the first round. Madonna still has difficult contests remaining with Toronto, Ohio, and Clay-Battelle.
Beallsville, Ohio, Blue Devils (6-2) at Paden City Wildcats (3-4)
The Wildcats have slim playoff hopes and must defeat Beallsville to remain in the hunt. The Wildcats trounced winless St John of Bellaire, Ohio, 42-7. Taylor Still ran for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He has 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns. The three Paden City wins have come over teams that are 1-20.
Saturday, October 22
Pittsburgh Allderdice Dragons (2-5) at Linsly Cadets (7-0)
Linsly tallied three touchdowns in the first four minutes and went on to a 41-0 victory over Buckeye Trail, Ohio. Quarterback Alex Stephens fired three touchdown passes in his only three completions. The Cadet quarterback now has 22 scoring tosses and just two interceptions on the year. Linsly hosts Pittsburgh Brashear next week then faces rival Wheeling Central. Allderdice has shutout Oliver 35-0 and Westinghouse 41-0.
Oak Glen Golden Bears (7-1) at Steubenville Catholic, Ohio, Crusaders (3-5)
Oak Glen can capture a playoff berth with a win over the Crusaders. The Golden Bears edged cross-river rival East Liverpool 13-6 in the final game played at the current stadium. Hancock County schools will have new venues next year. Quarterback Lucas McDowell was more of a running back as the signal-caller ran for 140 yards on 30 carries. Oak Glen built a 13-0 margin in the fourth quarter before the Potters Marky Thompson, back from an injury, found Mow Mow Thompson for a scoring strike to cut the margin to 13-6. The Bears seven wins are against teams that are 4-49, while the Crusaders victims are just 2-21. Steubenville Catholic rolled up over 430 yards of offense, including 300 through the air, in a 40-14 romp over winless Weir.
Caldwell, Ohio, Redskins (4-4) at Wheeling Central Maroon Knights (7-0)
Even though Wheeling Central was on its bye week, the Maroon Knights clinched a playoff spot. Sophomore quarterback Parker Henry has yet to be intercepted in seven games and has rushed for 9 scores. Gino Bianconi leads the ground attack with 810 yards and 15 scores. Caldwell blasted Fort Frye, Ohio, by a score of 48-0. Running back Adam Rossiter broke the school rushing record by racking up 343 yards on just 17 carries and scored five times. Ironically, the old record was held by current head coach Josh Perkins. The Redskins must win to have a shot at the post-season. Caldwell opened the season with two wins, but then lost four straight, before outscoring the opposition 108-6 in its last two games.
For the latest unofficial WV ratings, check out www.wtov9.com each Sunday afternoon.