3 Martinsburg(8-0) at #7 Musselman(7-2)
The Martinsburg Bulldogs continue their dominance of in-state opponents. Last week Martinsburg defeated Jefferson 65-12 as the Bulldogs scored on their first eight possessions, and had a 56-6 lead at the half.
Martinsburg’s starters only played in the first half but in that first half the Bulldogs put up impressive numbers as quarterback Brandon Ashenfelter went 8 for 11 for 194 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chris Perkins ran the ball just three times but picked up 97 yards and wide receiver Cedric Brown had four receptions for 103 yards and three touchdowns.
Martinsburg was able to push their winning streak to 22 in a row and now find themselves ranked in the top 100 in the nation according to rivals.com and ESPN has the Bulldogs ranked 11th in the East Region. Martinsburg has outscored their in-state opponents 215-12.
This week, Martinsburg will battle the Musselman Applemen. Musselman clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2008 last week with a impressive 49-6 win over Class AA ranked Keyser. Musselman junior quarterback Caleb Dembeck had a good night going 8 for 13 passing for 189 yards and three scores. But, that was not the only weapon the Applemen used as junior running back Josh Ferguson rushed for 105 yards and two scores. Ferguson has rushed for over 100 yards in four of the last five games and is just 89 yards away from eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark.
Musselman head coach Denny Price won his 268th game last week which gave him the record for the most wins by a head coach in the state.
This week Martinsburg and Musselman will battle for bragging rights in Berkeley County. Both teams have locked up playoff spots and are looking to improve their seeding. The last time these two teams met and both teams were in the playoffs was 2008, Martinsburg won that matchup 36-7. Both teams have scored over 300 points this season, on the defensive side Musselman is giving up an average of 19 points per game while Martinsburg is giving up just four points per game.
Martinsburg and Musselman battle Friday Night at 7:00pm
Hedgesville (3-5) at Jefferson (1-7)
This week 10 matchup is between two teams that had high expectations going into the season, but things have not turned out the way they wanted. For Hedgesville, and second year coach Rich Thomaselli, the Eagles have been battling the injury bug all season. At one point this season Hedgesville had three of its starting offensive linemen out with injuries and they have missed multiple games this season.
Last week Hedgesville was able to put together a good game and get its third win of the season with a 56-22 win over Hampshire. Hedgesville scored on six of the first seven possessions of the game. Quarterback Troy Markley continues his outstanding sophomore season, as he threw for 126 yards and rushed for 188 yards.
This week Hedgesville battles Jefferson, the Cougars are struggling through a 1-7 season and are coming off a 65-12 loss to Martinsburg. Jefferson could not stop the Bulldogs in the first half trailing by 50 at the break. Jefferson did get some positive plays on offense from quarterback Justin Carter who went 21 for 40 for 355 yards and two scores and wide receiver Garrett Grantham had nine catches for 165 yards.
Hedgesville and Jefferson battle Friday Night at 7:00pm
Washington (3-5) at Hampshire (1-7)
The Washington Patriots were trying to keep their slim playoff chances alive last week and to do that the Patriots needed to win the rest of their games. Last week, they traveled to Short Gap, WV to battle the Frankfort Falcons. When you looked at it on paper it looked like Washington would be able to keep that hope alive, but nobody told Frankfort as they notched a 26-20 overtime victory over Washington and knocked the Patriots out of the playoffs and gave Frankfort their second win of the season.
Now, Washington will go into the final two games of the regular season with a chance to still win the most games in school history. To do that they need to win out to finish at 5-5 and once again when you look at it on paper the Patriots will be favored again, facing a Hampshire Trojan team that has also struggled this year sitting at 1-7. Last week Hampshire could not stop Hedgesville’s quarterback Troy Markley as he accounted for 314 yards of total offense in the game.
This week Hampshire will have to find a way to stop another good quarterback in Tyler Wilt. Game time Friday Night is set for 7:00pm
Other Games:
Berkeley Springs (2-7) at Northern Garrett, Md.
Frankfort (2-6) at #15Class AA Keyser (5-3)
#4 Class A East Hardy at Clear Springs, Md.
Pendleton Co. at #9 Class A Moorefield
Petersburg (1-7) at Tucker County (4-4)