by Fred Persinger II
Several Week 2 matchups in southern West Virginia are battles between 1-0 teams.
Games to Watch
CLASS AAA
Woodrow Wilson (1-0) at Greenbrier East (1-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Beckley defeated Riverside 21-6 for their first Mountain State Athletic Conference win since 2014. Greenbrier East defeated James Monroe, 14-0.
Why it’s important: It does not matter what sport these two teams play each other in, it is always a heated matchup. Beckley has a 27-17 advantage in the series and since 2000, Beckley is 14-4 against Greenbrier East.
Who to watch for Woodrow Wilson: The defense, which held Riverside to under 100 yards in the game and rnning back Caden Easterling to just 26 yards on 14 carries. Kicker Joseph Wells, who made field goals from 40 and 37 yards l in his first varsity game.
Who to watch for Greenbrier East: Running back Jaylon Battaile rushed for 82 yards last week. Quarterback Kyle King will also be a factor.
CLASS AA
Shady Spring (1-0) at Nicholas County (1-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Shady Spring defeated Lincoln County, 33-6. Nicholas County defeated North Marion, 32-12
Why it’s important: Big matchup between two Class AA teams trying to get a early jump on playoff positioning and a lot of points could be on the line here by the end of the year.
Who to watch for Shady Spring: RB Isaiah Valentine, who rushed for 85 yards on six carries and scored two touchdowns. Valentine also caught four passes for 141 yards and another touchdown.
Who to watch for Nicholas County: QB Jared Sagraves threw for 85 yards and two scores against the Huskies. RB Jacob O’dell rushed for 97 yards on 25 carries and one score.
CLASS A
Greenbrier West (1-0) at Midland Trail (1-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Greenbrier West defeated Buffalo, 42-0. Midland Trail defeated Independence, 22-6.
Why it’s important: The winner of this game moves to 2-0 and gets much-needed points to try to best position themselves in the Class A playoff picture.
Who to watch for Greenbrier West: Chad Ramsey rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Who to watch for Midland Trail: Cordell Lesher, who rushed for 88 yards on 14 carries. Austin Isaccs, who rushed for 81 yards on 17 carries.
Fayetteville (1-0) at Valley Fayette (0-1)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Fayetteville defeated Wyoming East, 28-21. Valley lost to Oak Hill, 61-20
Why it’s important: This will be the final time these two Fayette County schools will play football as both schools will close after this year. Fayetteville students will go to Oak Hill and Valley students will go to Oak Hill, Midland Trail or Riverside.
Who to watch for Fayetteville: Jordan Dempsey, who did it all in the opener. Dempsey rushed for 120 yards on 14 carries and three scores, returned a kick for touchdown and intercepted a pass on defense.
Who to watch for Valley Fayette: RB Kaleb Crisp, who carried the ball for 132 yards on 18 carries.
Other games: Princeton (0-1) at Bluefield (1-0); PikeView (1-0) at Independence (0-1); Mount View (1-0) at Man (0-1); Liberty Raleigh (0-1) at Oak Hill (1-0); Wyoming East (0-1) at Westside (1-0); Montcalm (0-0) at Twin Valley, Va. (1-0); Tug Valley (1-0) at Sherman (0-1); Pocahontas County (0-1) at Moorefield (0-1); Clay-Battelle (1-0) at Meadow Bridge (0-1); Richwood (1-0) at Gilmer County (0-1)