AA No. 3 Robert C. Byrd (2-0) at AA No. 6 Frankfort (2-0)
The Eagles have a rematch against a Frankfort team it eliminated from the opening round of the playoffs last season. Linebacker Justin Noble and defensive back Cody Nypan were among the RCB standouts in the playoff win. Noble led his team with 11 tackles and two sacks. Nypan had an interception he returned 75-yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Julian Marino threw for 223 yards including the game winning touchdown pass with just over 3:00 to play.
All three of those players return this year.
Frankfort has a lot back from that playoff team as well, including quarterback Gage Shaffer who has committed to Maryland. The two leading rushers from last season, Brady Watson and Noah Bible, also return.
Frankfort has scored points, but its defense has also had its moments to shine this season. The Falcons rolled up six sacks during a week one victory over Moorefield.
The rematch comes up Friday night at Frankfort.
Following a season opening win over Fairmont Senior, RCB got past Liberty 46-15 last week. Frankfort has beaten Class A representatives Moorefield and East Hardy this season.
A No. 7 Clay-Battelle (2-0) at A No. 4 Bishop Donahue (2-0)
It’s an early season showdown between top 10 ranked Class A opponents.
“It’s almost like looking in a mirror,” said Cee-Bees coach Ryan Wilson. “We are similar teams that seem to be evenly matched.”
Two of the top quarterbacks in the state will be featured in this one. 6-foot-4 junior Jarrett Hockenberry leads Clay-Battelle. Bishop Donahue senior Jesse Padlow led the state in passing last year.
Clay-Battelle has scored 110 points in two games.
“We really haven’t had to throw the ball much so far,” says Wilson. “I’m anxious to see if we can get that going a get a little more balance against a very good team and a very good defense.
“Both of these quarterbacks are fun to watch,” Wilson continued. “Both throw it really well and both can run.”
Brooke (0-2) at AAA No. 10 University (2-0)
University beat Parkersburg South 20-13 during week two as the Hawks held on despite losing both starting running backs to injury.
Sophomore fullback Isaiah Utt is out for the season after suffering a fractured ankle on his very first carry of the game. Later in the first half, senior halfback Jace Neville injured his shoulder. Neville is expected to return at some point this season.
“The problem we had (against Parkersburg South) was that the game plan went right out the window,” said University coach John Kelley. “When you lose your entire starting backfield, it’s an issue. Plus, with the offense we run, the fullback is very important with what we try to do.”
Senior Dylan Cole and junior Owen Lillard will split time at fullback. Junior Jeremy Hunter got the most carries at tailback after Neville went out. Senior receiver Michael Ramsey also shifted to running back for some series late in last week’s game.
“When these kids get a chance to take reps for a full week in practice I think things will get squared away,” Kelley said. “Hunter did a great job running the ball. He was prepared for that. Ramsey is our ‘Mr. Everything’ in that he can play a number of positions. Cole and Lillard did fine. They’ll be even better as they get practice reps at those positions.”
The Hawks will be home for the first time after winning games at John Marshall and Parkersburg South to open the season.
Brooke is on the road for the first time after dropping back to back home games to Indian Creek, Ohio and Morgantown.
Parkersburg South (1-1) at AAA No. 5 Morgantown (2-0)
The Mohigans improved to 2-0 with a 35-19 road win over Brooke. Junior DaShon Thomas led the MHS offense with 168 yards on the ground and a touchdown. DaShon Thomas is the cousin of last season’s Kennedy Award winner Chazzy Thomas. Thomas split carries in the Brooke game with sophomore Jordan Page who averaged nearly 20 yards per carry.
Page had 119 yards on six carries in the game. Morgantown has had very good balance to its offense early in the season. Quarterbacks Ethan Goldcamp and Zayne Hern each had touchdown passes in the win over Brooke. The duo combined for 157 yards passing.
Lewis County (2-0) at AA No. 4 Bridgeport (1-1)
Bridgeport had its 13 game winning streak snapped as it lost another close one to Wheeling Park 14-10. It was the third straight season Wheeling Park had beaten Bridgeport by four points or less.
The Bridgeport defense held its own in the loss as it held the Patriots to just 62 rushing yards and 167 total yards.
Lewis County improved to 2-0 beating Preston despite three lost fumbles, an interception and a blocked punt. Lewis County also had trouble with the center/quarterback exchange. That play was muffed three times but the Minutemen were able to fall back on top of the football each time.
The Lewis County offense has scored 70 points in two wins over Oak Hill and Preston.
Preston (1-1) at Fairmont Senior (1-1)
Fairmont Senior bounced back from a loss to Robert C. Byrd in week one by beating rival North Marion 33-7 last week. The Polar Bears rolled up 245 yards rushing in the week two victory.
These teams have met each season since 2007. Fairmont Senior has won every game in the series since then, going 7-0 during that stretch.
Preston is in the midst of a string of four consecutive road games. The Knights lost 28-14 at Lewis County last week. That followed a season opening 22-13 win at home over Hampshire.
Lincoln (1-1) at Liberty (1-1)
Lincoln earned the first victory for new head football coach Rob Hawkins as it beat Philip Barbour 29-12 last week. The Cougars faced a little adversity along the way as Class AA all-state quarterback Jarrod Kellar was knocked out of the game. Lincoln relied on the ground game after Kellar went out. The Cougars gained 256 yards on 52 rushing attempts.
Hawkins credited veteran lineman Austin Benson (Sr.) and A.K. Snyder (Jr.) for keeping things together on both sides of the ball after the Cougars lost their quarterback.
Liberty has its home opener this week following a win over East Fairmont to start the season, followed by a 46-15 loss at Robert C. Byrd last week.
Braxton County (1-1) at Philip Barbour (0-2)
A very young Braxton County defense has exceeded expectations so far as the Eagles have tackled well and allowed just 20 points in two games. Braxton has split a pair of home games so far, beating Lincoln in the opener prior to losing 14-0 last week to Clay County.
Philip Barbour is off to a rough start defensively as the Colts have allowed 76 points in losses to Grafton and Lincoln to start the season.
South Harrison (1-1) at Grafton (2-0)
Grafton has back to back road wins at Philip Barbour and East Fairmont to start the season at 2-0, this after suffering through a winless season a year ago. Nate Moses has scored five touchdowns in the early portion of the season to lead a potent offense.
South Harrison showed an explosive offense as it scored five touchdowns of 20 or more yards in a 45-0 win over Gilmer County last week. The South Harrison defense also forced five turnovers.
South Harrison’s Chase Jenkins has proven himself to be a threat on both sides. Jenkins had a long touchdown run and an interception return for a score during the Hawks first win of the season last week.
East Fairmont (0-2) at Buckhannon-Upshur (0-1)
East Fairmont and Buckhannon-Upshur will meet for the first time since 2011. The Bees have a six game winning streak in the series as they claimed victory against the Buccaneers every season between 2006-2011.
East Fairmont will have to shore things up defensively as it has allowed 78 points in two games. Buckhannon had a week off following a season opening loss at Bridgeport to start the season.