By Michael Minnich
Mineral Daily News Tribune
Playoff positioning—or a spot altogether—will be settled during the final week of the regular season.
Hampshire (6-3) at Frankfort (7-2), 7 p.m.
The border battle has plenty of implications for both teams: No. 8 Frankfort, looking to extend a long winning streak in the series, will likely host through the semifinals in Class AA with a win. A loss, however, would probably mean a road game in the first round.
Both teams lost last week.
Hampshire is in the 15thspot in Class AAA, and, much like last year, Frankfort can spoil their playoff hopes with a win; the Falcons took a 19-7 decision in windy conditions last year.
Jefferson (5-4) at Washington (6-3), 7 p.m.
Washington jumped up to 11thin Class AAA last week with a 55-14 win over Hampshire, their fourth straight win.
The Patriots’ passing game came to the fore with Matt Harris throwing for four scores.
Jefferson ended a two-game losing streak with a 30-22 defeat of Hedgesville last week and are just on the outside of the playoffs at 17.
Washington won last year’s game, 42-14.
Mountain Ridge, Md. (3-6) at Keyser (6-3), 7 p.m.
The Golden Tornado made a statement last week, thumping rival Frankfort, 42-3, in the Mineral Bowl.
Quarterback Cody Eversole led a balanced attack, throwing for a touchdown and rushing for two more.
KHS is 10tin Class AA, but, even with a win over Mountain Ridge, will need a lot of help to get a home game in the playoffs.
Mountain Ridge were out of it early last week against Fort Hill, losing 51-12.
Keyser cruised to a 49-0 win last year and haven’t lost at home since MR beat them to end the 2011 season.
Hedgesville (4-5) at Woodrow Wilson (3-6), 7 p.m.
The Eagles’ playoff hopes were extinguished by a loss to Jefferson last week, but can finish at .500 with a win against a Woodrow club that’s lost three straight.
The two schools did not meet last year.
East Hardy (7-2) at Petersburg (3-6), 7 p.m.
East Hardy ended a two-game skid with a 52-25 win over Clear Spring (Md.) last week and currently sit 10thin Class A.
They’ll get AA points, of course, if they can beat Petersburg, losers of four of six, most recently a narrow 35-27 decision against Tucker County.
East Hardy won, 64-15, last year.
Hancock, Md. (7-1) at Berkeley Springs (1-8), 7:30 p.m.
Hancock has won seven straight after an opening loss and are in playoff position in 1A West in Maryland.
Berkeley Springs came back to earth after winning two weeks ago, falling to Northern Garrett (Md.) by a 40-14 score last week.
The two schools did not meet last year.
Tygarts Valley (1-8) at Moorefield (8-1), 7:30 p.m.
Moorefield needed a frenetic comeback to edge Pendleton County last week, 33-30, moving their winning streak to seven games and their playoff standing to fifth.
Tygarts Valley got in the win column last week against Hundred, 46-0.
Last year’s game between the two schools was cancelled.
Shady Spring (1-8) at Musselman (4-5), 7 p.m.
It’s been a year of runs for the Applemen, who lost two to start the year, won four to get back in the playoff race, then dropped three after Trevon Wesco’s injury.
They’ll try and finish strong against a Shady Spring team that has found the going tough this year, losing their last six.
Musselman won a 65-34 shootout last year.
Wheeling Central (5-4) at Spring Mills (1-8), 1 p.m. Saturday
Spring Mills’ first season ends with another first: a Saturday matinee against Wheeling Central, who have lost three in a row to fall just out of the playoffs at No. 17.
They gave Bishop Donahue a scare last week, though, losing by one point, 33-32.
Martinsburg is in the clubhouse at 9-1, ranked No. 2 in Class AAA, and will mount another state title bid starting next week.