By: Shawn Rine
The Wheeling Intelligencer and News-Register
Cameron (6-0) at Class A No. 10 Clay-Battelle (6-0)
This game has all kinds of implications – from the OVAC standings to state polls and most importantly, the WVSSAC Class A ratings. In the latter, the Dragons enter this battle of unbeatens at ninth, while the host Cee-Bees check in at a tie for 13th. To the victor goes the spoils, and a large jump up the ladder.
Coach Scott Holt’s Cameron team is coming off a less-than-taxing, 59-7, rout of Conotton Valley, Ohio. In that contest, senior fullback Michael Starcher rushed for 120 yards and scored three times.
“We are happy with how we played last week, but Clay-Battelle is a different team,” Holt said. “This is one of those quiet rivalries. These teams have been playing each other for a long time and we will be ready to strap it up in front of a big crowd.
“It is important to get off to a good start and get the momentum on our side. It could come down to whoever plays better defense and makes better plays on third down.”
Last season, it came down to the final play. The Cee-Bees left Dragon Stadium that night on the wrong end of a 51-50, double-overtime decision. But Clay-Battelle has already won more games this season than it did in all of 2015.
“We are excited to be in this situation,” Cee-Bees coach Ryan Wilson said. “Our goal of a winning season has already been met.
“This is a big game. There is going to be a big crowd with a playoff atmosphere.
“We were in the playoffs just two years ago and some of these kids had minor roles on that team, so that might help them on Friday.”
Clay-Battelle is led by senior quarterback Tanner Burnette, who is having quite the season. How well he holds up in a big game could well determine the outcome.
“Tanner has been playing well for us,” Wilson said. “I was just talking and going over the scouting report with him so he will be ready. He has done a great job for us this year.
“Cameron has a lot of height and really has no weaknesses on either side of the ball. They have a great offensive scheme and the offensive line moves and blocks well.
“Both teams are going to play hard and getting off to a good start is going to be key in this game. Not necessarily getting the lead, but continuing to get first downs, getting confidence and momentum and special teams could make an impact too.
“It all starts with the offensive line though.”
Burnette certainly has Holt’s attention.
“Their quarterback is really good in the pocket and can use his arms and his legs to hurt you,” Holt said. “Their speed might also be an advantage for them, especially on turf.”
Burnette will have to be on the lookout for Dragons defender Wyatt Wingrove, who has been racking up tackles in bunches this season.
Friday’s game has been named the Northside Automotive MetroNews Class A Game of the Week.
John Marshall (2-5) at Brooke (0-7)
It may not have the panache of the previous matchup, but to Monarchs and Bruins everywhere it’s a big deal.
John Marshall started 0-5 but has won two straight and appears to have its season somewhat back on track as it heads north to face one of its biggest rivals.
“I told the kids after we lost to Parkersburg South to put us at 0-5, that we still had the second half of the season left and we still had an opportunity to close things out at 5-0,” JM coach Rick Goodrich said. “I know we still have a long way to go for that goal, but we have a good start at it.
“This is another big challenge for us this week in a big rivalry game against tough kids that have plenty of pride and tradition and are very hungry to get that first win.
“We are going to have to go up there ready to play. We are not going to be able to just show up.”
Brooke’s season was never able to get off the ground. An unbelievable amount of injuries to key positions on an already green squad has spelled disaster. The Bruins are coming off a 65-19 loss to Parkersburg South.
“We may still be looking for our first win, but the kids are still showing up, having fun and playing hard and I couldnát ask for anything more than that,” Brooke coach Mac McLean said. “And in the long run I honestly believe that the work the kids are putting in on both sides of the football are really going to pay off down the road for us.”
Sophomore Logan Williams is under center for the Bruins and threw for 166 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots. But he’s going through growing pains like any young QB and was intercepted three times last week.
Williams does have one of the finest targets around in Chris Yachini. Yachini caught seven passes for 103 yards and a touchdown last week and has 30 grabs for 509 yards and five scores on the season.
“Obviously this is a team that has been improving and their record doesnát really indicate the kind of team they are,” Goodrich said. “They have not only played some pretty tough competition, they have also dealt with a lot of injuries and youth.
“But those kids come out and play hard every play and they never quit. Their younger kids are getting better and they are really getting closer every week.”
John Marshall has a sophomore quarterback of its own in Jordan Wood, who threw for 113 yards and a touchdown in last weekás victory against Logan. Classmate Chas McCool has run for 520 yards and six touchdowns on the season and scored the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter last week.
The Monarchs have given up 20 points or less in a game four times this season, including just six in each of the past two contests, with two of their losses coming by nine points or less.
“They are a very well-coached, very young team,” McLean said. “And you can see them growing and improving weekly. They are a team and coaching staff that I really respect and they always show up ready to fight.”
The rivals have split the previous two meetings with Brooke gaining a hard-fought 35-28 victory last season in Moundsville.
Other Games:
St. Marys at Magnolia
Valley (W) at Frontier, Ohio
Warren, Ohio at Weir
Hannan at Paden City
Harrison Central, Ohio at Oak Glen
Bishop Donahue at Bridgeport, Ohio
Tyler Consolidated at South Harrison
Linsly at Bishop Ready, Ohio