by Fred Persinger II — for WVMetroNews.com
A closer look at opening week in the Southern region.
GAMES TO WATCH:
Graham (Va.) (0-0) vs. Bluefield (0-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: Bluefield finished 14-0 and won the Class AA state shampionship. Graham (Va.) finished 11-2 and lost in the quarterfinal round to Union.
Why it’s important: Battle of the Bluefields is one of the best rivalries, not only in West Virginia and Virginia, but it’s been recognized as one of the best rivalries in the nation. There will likely be 12,000-plus fans at Mitchell Stadium to watch these two teams battle in a series that dates back to 1911.
Who to watch for Bluefield: Running Backs Juice Edwards, JJ Davis and Arnold Martin. The trio who run behind a offensive line that averages 6-foot-5, 281 pounds.
Who to watch for Graham: Retuning offensive players QB Cameron Allen and RB Jazire Reed.
Woodrow Wilson (0-0) at Riverside (0-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Year: Beckley finished 1-9 for the second straight year. Riverside finished 4-6 for the second straight year and just missed the Class AAA playoffs.
Why it’s important: Two MSAC schools that have developed a good rivalry over the years with tempers flaring in the past couple of years. Both teams need to get off to a good start with very tough schedules ahead. Beckley faces seven teams in the preseason MetroNews preseason power rankings, while Riverside will face five teams in those same rankings.
Who to watch for Woodrow Wilson: Running back Micah Hancock, who is retuning for his senior year after a bad leg injury last season. Wide receiver Logan Cook is a four-year starter and quarterback Peyton Shehan, who takes over for two-year starter Sutton Radford.
Who to watch for Riverside: Running back Caden Easterling rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season as a junior and quarterback Kain Ford takes over for three-year starter Mark Scites.
Wyoming East (0-0) at Fayetteville (0-0)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last Year: Fayetteville finished 6-5, losing in the quarterfinal round of Class A playoffs to Midland Trail. Wyoming East finished the 2017 season 2-8.
Why it’s important: For Wyoming East, expectations are higher this year with a lot of talent retuning. For Fayetteville, this will be the final home opener for the school, as it will close after 97 years and students will attend Oak Hill next year.
Who to watch for Fayetteville: Quarterback Jordan Dempsey
Who to watch for Wyoming East: Running back/safety Caleb Bower
Other games: Midland Trail (0-0) at Independence (0-0); Summers County (0-0) at PikeView (0-0); Webster County (0-0) at Richwood; Greenbrier East (0-0) at James Monroe (0-0); Buffalo (0-0) at Greenbrier West (0-0); Oak Hill (0-0) at Valley Fayette (0-0); Westside (0-0) at Liberty Raleigh (0-0)