As we enter Week 8 of the high school football season, it is obvious some things are changing. When the WVSSAC ratings were released, we saw familiar names in the top 16 of each class, but we also saw several newbies, and I always think that is a good thing.
If the regular season ended today, 39.5 percent of the teams that made the playoffs last year would have been on the outside this season. In Class AAA and in Class A we had six new faces, and in Class AA there would have been seven new teams to the field. The new teams in Class AAA would have been Morgantown, George Washington, Brooke, Princeton, John Marshall and Spring Mills. The teams that would have missed the playoffs this year are South Charleston, Lewis County, Parkersburg, Woodrow Wilson, Buckhannon Upshur and University.
In Class AA, the seven new teams would have been James Monroe, Tolsia, Roane County, Lincoln, Summers County, Independence and North Marion. Those that finished in the top 16 last year but would have fallen short this season are Liberty Raleigh, Nicholas County, Scott, Sissonville, Ravenswood, Frankfort and Wyoming East. In Class A, the new faces this season would have been South Harrison, Magnolia, Wheeling Central, Valley Wetzel, Pocahontas County and Van. The teams that would have been left out from last year are Tyler Consolidated, Meadow Bridge, Clay-Battelle, Doddridge County, Wahama and Greenbrier West.
Now, it is time to add the “I know” to this article, because I do know the season did not end last week. And, several of the teams that would have been “in” and several of those that would have been “out” still have their chances to change that status. This week several of those will get the chance. Over the last few weeks I have been astonished at the number of quality games in all three classes that are available for fans across the state to enjoy.
In Class AAA, some games that really stand out include Parkersburg South (4-2) at Brooke (4-3), Capital (5-1) at George Washington (5-1), Jefferson (5-1) travels to Fairmont Senior (6-0) in Class AA, and Princeton (4-2) at James Monroe (6-0) in Class AA.
In Class AA, in addition to the Fairmont Senior and James Monroe clashes with two very good Class AAA teams, we have Chapmanville (7-0) hosting (5-1) Mingo Central, Keyser (5-2) hosting (4-2) Robert C. Byrd and Lincoln (5-1) will be at Roane County (6-1).
In Class A, the biggest game in the state regardless of class could be Magnolia (7-0) traveling to St. Marys (6-0). You’ll also find Moorefield (6-0) at East Hardy (5-1) and South Harrison (6-0) visiting Tyler Consolidated (3-3).
Now, a message to all high school football fans across the state: I don’t mean to say the above games are more important than your local high school football game. However, the above games are important in the fact that we are getting too late in the season for the teams that find themselves currently in the top 16 to start losing. The playoffs will be here before we know it.
Don’t forget to join us again this Friday night for another edition of GameNight starting at 9:30 p.m. or shortly after your local high school game broadcast ends. And, of course you can always catch the live audio and video of the show every week at WVMetroNews.com.
Talk to you Friday night.