By: Michael Minnich
Exponent Telegram
Look familiar? We were a University win over Hurricane away from having three regular season rematches in the three North Central West Virginia playoff games this week.
Class AAA
No. 12 Hurricane (7-4) at No. 4 Morgantown (9-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
No MoHawk Bowl II this year.
Hurricane spoiled the prospects of a rivalry rematch with a 38-14 win at University, while Morgantown advanced with a 25-7 win over Spring Mills.
Javohn Moore’s interception return set up Logan Holgorsen’s 29-yard TD pass to Ben Waibogha on fourth down, then, after the Cardinals evened the score on a Colton Henson rushing TD, the Mohigans took the lead for good on a 12-yard strike from Holgorsen to Jayron Wilson.
Holgorsen finished with 118 passing yards and those two scores, while Maverick Wolfey rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Hurricane out-scored University 17-0 in the fourth quarter thanks to big plays on defense to break open the game, with Isaiah Thomas’ 100-yard interception return killing the Hawks’ potential tying drive and giving Hurricane a two-TD advantage instead.
A fumble set up a Hurricane field goal, then Steve Shine returned a pick 70 yards.
Morgantown last made the semifinals in 2012, while Hurricane is 0-6 in quarterfinals all-time.
Class AA
No. 8 Lincoln (9-2) at No. 1 Bridgeport (11-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Bridgeport 0, Roane County 0.
There aren’t a lot of teams where a tie at the half sends shockwaves around the high school football community, but it’s certainly the case when it’s the three-time defending Class AA state champions — and top seed — in a tight battle with a 16-seed.
But J.T. Harris rushed for 176 yards—138 after the break—and three touchdowns to send the Indians on, 28-7.
As has been the case all year when Bridgeport has found itself in a tight space, its defense came up big, forcing two turnovers that led to Indians’ TDs on the subsequent drive.
On the other end of Harrison County, Lincoln picked up its first playoff win in school history, downing Independence, 35-12.
Chase Riley broke the county record for career receiving yards, previously 2,743, with a 61-yard TD reception that increased a narrow 14-12 lead to 21-12.
Kobie Carpenter ran for his 10th rushing TD of the year and hit Riley twice for scores.
Bridgeport won at Lincoln on September 23, 24-0, with three of those touchdown drives starting in Cougars territory due to turnovers.
It was the first meeting between the two county schools since 2009; now, they get to make up even more for lost time.
No. 13 Weir (8-3) at No. 5 Fairmont Senior (8-2), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Bryson Gilbert scored three touchdowns on rushes, one on a reception, and a fifth on an interception to lead the Polar Bears to a 48-27 win over Herbert Hoover on Friday.
Gilbert had a 96-yard TD run as part of a 211-yard performance, with the interception return covering 37 yards.
Listen: Fairmont Senior RB Bryson Gilbert on the MetroNews High School Sportsline
Weir advanced to the second round for the first time since 2008 with a 29-27 thriller at Sissonville despite missing injured star Cody Enrietti.
Weir trailed 21-7 at the half, but Domenick Murphy scored on an 11-yard run, then a safety, a 1-yard Tyler Mack TD rush, and a 23-yard Donavan Spencer moved the Red Riders in front, 29-21.
On the final play of the game, a touchdown pass from Chance Brown to Mayson Miller gave Sissonville a chance to send the game to overtime with a successful two-point conversion, and, after a first failed attempt was negated by a defensive holding call, Frank Hudacheck successfully defended the second try to end the game.
On October 7, Fairmont Senior won, 20-3, with Gilbert rushing for two TD’s and the Polar Bears limiting the Red Riders to 104 yards of offense.
Fairmont Senior was a semifinalist last year, while Weir’s state championship run in 2005 was the last time the Red Riders pushed past the quarters.
Also this week: Click here for a look at Gilmer County’s quarterfinal matchup at St. Marys