By: Michael Carvelli
A No. 8 South Harrison (2-0) at AA Grafton (2-0)
After running all over its opponents in the first two weeks of the season, South Harrison will face what could potentially be its toughest test of this early season as it travels to take on undefeated Grafton.
Much like it has in wins over Doddridge County and Valley Wetzel, the Hawks will look to ride the potent backfield combination of juniors Freddy Canary and Camden Barnette to victory. Canary, a state champion sprinter, had five touchdowns in the first half of last week’s win and through two games has already eclipsed his total rushing yardage from 2015. Barnette has also been over 100 yards in both games this season, despite carrying the ball a total of 20 times in those two games.
Defensively, the Hawks have picked up where they left off a year ago — smothering teams and nearly missing their second straight shutout of the year in last week’s 41-6 win. SH has allowed 72 yards of offense per game.
Grafton has opened the season with wins over Philip Barbour and East Fairmont under first-year head coach Rich Bord. The Bearcats are led by veteran quarterback Cole Collins, who provides a difficult threat for opposing defenses on the ground and through the air.
The Hawks won last year’s meeting with the Bearcats, 20-3. This game was named the Northside Automotive MetroNews Class A Game of the Week.
AAA No. 3 Morgantown (2-0) vs. Parkersburg South (0-2)
The Mohigans continued their quick start to the 2016 season with a convincing win over Brooke last Friday night. Morgantown will look to build on that momentum this week as it takes on a Parkersburg South team that has been winless in its first two games of the young campaign.
The Mohigans have found solid success on the back of its consistent ground game, which accounted for 214 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win over the Bruins. West Virginia commit Maverick Wolfley led the Mohigans with 100 yards on 10 carriers with a pair of scores in that contest.
But the bigger story around Morgantown as it heads into this third game is its defense. The Mohigans have not allowed a point yet this season. In last week’s victory, MHS gave up just 185 total yards of offense to Brooke, and only 17 in the final two quarters of play, while also returning one of its two interceptions for a touchdown.
Parkersburg South gave University a fight last week, falling to the Hawks 16-9 on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass.
The two teams squared off last season, with Morgantown winning 23-20 in overtime.
AA No. 1 Bridgeport (2-0) at Elkins (0-2)
After a 24-13 win over defending Class AAA champion Wheeling Park a week ago, Bridgeport is back on the road this Friday night for a Big 10 matchup against a struggling Elkins team.
The Tigers fell short with an overtime loss to Robert C. Byrd last week.
Bridgeport will look to stop the Elkins running game, which is something the Indians were great at doing against the Patriots. Bridgeport allowed Wheeling Park to gain just 15 rushing yards in last week’s victory.
Offensively, the Indians once again rode J.T. Harris to victory in an offensive attack that is looking like it could potentially be as effective as it has been in years past for the Indians. Harris was Bridgeport’s workhorse, carrying the ball 30 times for 139 yards, while quarterback Gordon Swiger showed what he could do against a tough opponent with 87 yards on 19 rushes.
Bridgeport has played Elkins in each of the last five seasons, winning every meeting — including last year’s 71-29 win at Wayne Jamison Field.
AAA No. 8 University (2-0) vs. Brooke (0-2)
After going on the road and picking up a tough, hard-fought win over Parkersburg South when Clay Bailey found Hunter Cottrell for a 13-yard touchdown pass, University will return home where it looks to stay hot.
With last week’s win, the much-improved Hawks were able to match last season’s win total as they move into this week’s showdown against the winless Bruins.
Bailey had been battling a knee injury he suffered in University’s season opener and didn’t start last week’s game, but was able to come off the bench to throw two touchdowns to lead the team to the win.
Brooke was shut out, 36-0, against Morgantown a week ago and struggled to keep the Mohigans in check on the defensive side of the ball while only gaining 17 total yards of offense in the second half.
In this week’s matchup, the Hawks will look to remain undefeated against teams that beat them in 2015.
Other Games:
North Marion (1-1) at Buckhannon-Upshur (1-0)
Preston (1-1) at Greenbrier East (1-1)
Lewis County (1-1) at East Fairmont (1-1)
Lincoln (1-1) at Liberty (H) (1-1)
Robert C. Byrd (1-1) at Frankfort (0-2)
Notre Dame (0-2) at Philip Barbour (0-2)
Hundred (0-2) at A No. 9 Clay-Battelle (2-0)
Idle: Fairmont Senior