By: Jack Withrow, WVMetroNews.com
AAA No. 8 George Washington (6-3) at AAA No. 3 Capital (7-2) – Friday, 7:00
This matchup features two teams that are playing well towards the end of the season as George Washington takes on cross-town rival Capital in a top 10 game.
The Patriots started the season off dropping three out of four games but have reeled off five straight victories including a 35-2 win at Hurricane last Friday.
One of the keys to George Washington’s success has been sophomore quarterback Grant Wells. Wells split time at starting quarterback last year but has taken the leadership role over for the No. 8 ranked Patriots.
“This year has been different, having the team on my back,” said Wells. “Our defense has played well and our offense has started to click and these last five games have been fun.”
Wells has completed 108-of-216 passes for 1,719 yards and 22 touchdowns, while his favorite target has been Darnell Brooks with 44 catches for 911 yards and 15 scores.
“Darnell has put a lot of work in and it’s showing on the field,” added Wells. “He’s my go-to guy.”
After losing its first game of the season, Capital has won seven out of eight contests to put itself at No. 3 in the WVSSAC playoff ratings entering the final week of the regular season.
Last Friday, Capital edged out South Charleston 30-27 at Black Eagles Stadium. Kerry Martin, Jr. rushed for 106 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns to the lead the Cougars. Martin’s second score put the Cougars ahead for good midway through the 4th quarter, while Anthony Pittman’s late-game interception preserved the victory.
Martin is second in the MSAC passing leaders with 86-of-147 completions for 1,404 yards and 17 touchdowns.
This will be the 20th meeting between the two city rivals as Capital holds a 10-9 record against George Washington. George Washington defeated Capital 32-21 in last year’s meeting at Steve Edwards Sr. Field.
AAA No. 12 Hurricane (5-4) at St. Albans (1-8) – Friday, 7:00
Coming off a home loss to George Washington, Hurricane – No. 12 in this week’s WVSSAC playoff ratings – will travel to St. Albans looking to secure a spot in postseason play.
For the second time this season, the Redskins’ offense was held scoreless as they totaled only 110 yards on the evening. Dylan Plumley was 6-of-19 passing for 39 yards and two interceptions.
St. Albans got some much needed rest last week as they suffered their seventh consecutive loss two weeks ago against Cabell Midland 56-14. The offense has struggled under first-year head coach Scott Tinsley but running back Jayson Barrett is one of the top rushers in the Mountain State Athletic Conference with 693 yards on 121 carries and 9 touchdowns.
It’s a bit of a reunion for Coach Tinsley as he helped guide the Redskins offense the past two seasons.
Hurricane owns a 12-9 series record against St. Albans including a 42-28 victory last year at Redskins Stadium.
AA No. 9 Winfield (7-2) at AA No. 2 Mingo Central (9-0) – Friday, 7:30
With the victory over Buffalo last week, it looks like the Generals – No. 9 in the Class AA WVSSAC playoff ratings – will be headed back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. But first, they must travel to Mingo Central to face the No. 2 Miners on Friday night.
Down 7-6 at halftime to Buffalo, Winfield’s Andrew Huff rushed for a touchdown and threw for a score to lead the Generals to a 30-21 win over the Bison. The junior quarterback has been the workhorse for Coach Craig Snyder’s offense as Huff has amassed 2,503 total yards. Huff is one of the Cardinal Conference leading quarterbacks with 1,417 yards passing and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 1,086 yards on 196 carries and 20 scores.
Huff won’t be the only dual-threat quarterback on the field Friday night as junior Jeremy Dillon has also put up impressive numbers to lead the Miners. Dillon has carried the ball 84 times for 731 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 120-of-193 passes for 1,829 yards and 23 scores.
The key to a Generals upset might be in stopping the Miners’ bruising running back Joe Hunt. Hunt has rushed for 808 yards on 115 carries and 16 touchdowns.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools and Winfield’s first time playing a Mingo County school since a 39-12 victory over Tug Valley in 1999.
Other Friday night matchups in the Kanawha Valley:
AAA No, 11 South Charleston (5-4) at Woodrow Wilson (1-8) – Friday, 7:00
Braxton County (4-5) at AA No. 6 Sissonville (8-1) – Friday, 7:30
Lincoln County (2-7) at AA No. 14 Herbert Hoover (6-3) – Friday, 7:30
Nitro (1-8) at Wayne (3-6) – Friday, 7:30
A No. 15 Buffalo (6-3) at Wahama (2-7) – Friday, 7:30
Poca (0-10) OPEN
Riverside (4-6) OPEN