by Shawn Rine – The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register for WVMetroNews.com
GAMES TO WATCH
Class A
Madonna (1-0) at No. 1 Wheeling Central (1-0)
When: Thursday at 7 p.m.
Last week: Madonna opened at Jimmy Carey Stadium with a 40-36, come-from-behind victory against Bridgeport, Ohio. Wheeling Central went to Williamstown and dominated, to the tune of a 33-0 shutout.
Why it’s important: What a feather this would be in the cap of Blue Dons coach Darrin Hicks in his rebuilding process. This is an old parochial school rivalry and it’s a game where the Maroon Knights, who have their sights set on a repeat title, can’t afford to slip up.
Who to watch for Madonna: Gavin Dietrich. He carried 30 times for 246 yards and scored four touchdowns in last week’s victory. In addition, Dietrich hauled in five passes for 57 yards and another score.
Who to watch for Wheeling Central: Senior speedster Bray Price continues to be a threat to go the distance any time he gets the football. Price rushed five times for 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also caught five passes for 72 yards and another score. Curtis McGhee III was a true dual-threat QB, completing 9-of-16 passes for 137 yards and a TD while gaining 127 yards and two scores on the ground.
No. 8 Williamstown (0-1) at No. 2 Magnolia (1-0)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Last week: Williamstown took a 33-0 home loss at the hands of top-ranked Wheeling Central. Magnolia disposed of then-No. 5 Sherman by a 24-0 count in New Martinsville.
Why it’s important: These two neighboring rivals almost always produce close contests. Coach Terry Smith’s Yellowjackets can ill afford to start the season 0-2. A win would continue the Blue Eagles’ meteoric rise from preseason No. 9 to No. 2 in one week.
Who to watch for Williamstown: Carter Haynes, Donathan Taylor. Haynes picked up 76 yards on 20 carries while Taylor gained 46 on 19. Both veterans are ready to break out.
Who to watch for Magnolia: Quarterback Pat Mirandy is coming off a great start to the season. Against the Tide, he completed 7-of-14 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 49 yards, kicked a field goal and three extra points. James Stillwagoner and Gage Adams also stood out. Stillwagoner registered 15 tackles including 10 solos and one for a loss, while Adams was in on 12 tackles ä seven solos and one behind the line.
Class AAA
No. 6 Morgantown (1-0) at Steubenville, Ohio (0-1)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Last week: Morgantown held off Parkersburg, 45-35, at Pony Lewis Field. Defending Ohio Division IV state champion Steubenville fell at home inside Harding Stadium, 21-14, to WPIAL powerhouse Penn Hills.
Why it’s important: Big Red hasn’t lost to a West Virginia team in many moons, including multiple blowouts of the Mohigans. Should coach Matt Lacy and Morgantown pull off an upset, it would stamp them as legit title contenders.
Who to watch for Morgantown: RB Ty Conchesky kicked off his season in high gear, running 20 times for 125 yards and two scores in the victory against Parkersburg.
Who to watch for Steubenville: Randy Mitchell, Tayveon Crawford. Mitchell didn’t put the ball in the air much, but the QB completed 3-of-4 passes for 105 yards. He also rushed for 42 yards. Crawford returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and also rushed 20 times for 81 yards.
Other games: Taylor Allderdice, Pa. (0-1) at Wheeling Park (1-0); Anacostia, D.C. (0-0) at Weir (1-0), Mountain Ridge, Md. (0-0) at John Marshall (1-0); Cameron (1-0) at Hundred (0-1); Steubenville Central, Ohio (1-0) at Oak Glen (0-1); Clay-Battelle (1-0) at Meadow Bridge (0-1); Tyler Consolidated (0-1) at Doddridge County (1-0); Paden City (0-1) at Wirt County (0-1)