When the 2017 high school football season officially ended Saturday night, December 2nd, 2017, over the course of the two day 2017 Super Six weekend, we had crowned 3 State Champions. In Class AAA, the Martinsburg Bulldogs won their 2nd straight big schools title and also completed their 2nd straight 14-0 season. In Class AA, the Beavers of Bluefield were crowned champions and in Class A, a familiar face returned to the top as the Maroon Knights of Wheeling Central Catholic claimed the small schools title!
As we enter week #7 of the 2018 high school football season, all three of last year’s state champions are proving to fans around the state, they are positioned to take home the big trophy once again. Let’s look at the numbers…..in Class AAA, Martinsburg is (6-0)…..in Class AA, Bluefield is (5-0) and in Class A, Wheeling Central Catholic is (5-0)! How have the reigning State Champs done against their opponents in 2018? Martinsburg has outscored their first six foes 316-38, or a per game average of 53 to 6. Bluefield has outscored their first five opponents 252-49 for a per game average of 50 to 10 and Wheeling Central has bettered their first five opponents 199-21 for a per game average of 40 to 4! Now, you have to admit it has been a very impressive start to the 2018 season for all three reigning state champions!
However, let’s look a little deeper and check out some of the teams in each class that have championship thoughts of their own. In order to maintain a level playing field, we will look at the teams in each class, that like last year’s state champs, are still undefeated. In Class AAA, that would include three other teams. The Spring Valley Timberwolves, who by the way, have matched up against Martinsburg in the last two Class AAA state championship games, are currently (6-0). And, that last win that came this past Friday night was impressive as they went on the road and knocked off previously unbeaten Capital 21-13! So far in the first six games, Spring Valley has outscored their opponents 236-66 for a per game average of 40 to 11. The Huntington Highlanders are also sporting an unblemished record as they stand at (5-0) and have outscored their opponents 167-66 for a per game average of 33 to 13. The other undefeated team in Class AAA is Musselman at (5-0) and they have outscored their first five foes 188-63 for a per game average of 38-13! Again, these numbers apply to only the undefeated teams in AAA and there are several one-loss teams that certainly have a realistic shot at winning the title!
In Class AA, Bluefield knows they are going to be tremendously tested for this year’s AA title by a host of teams. Outside of the Beavers, the remaining unbeaten squads in Class AA include the Fairmont Senior Polar Bears who have been impressive in every game they have played this season. So far, Fairmont Senior is (6-0) and have outscored their opponents 273-67 for a per game average of 46 to 11. The Nicholas County Grizzlies have also been impressive and are currently (6-0) and have outscored their first six foes 227-74 for a per game average of 38 to 12. Certainly the Poca Dots have proved they could be the team to beat in AA this season, particularly after knocking off Mingo Central and Sissonville in their last two outings. Currently the Dots are (6-0) and have outscored their opponents 280-105 for a per game average of 47 to 17. The last undefeated team in Class AA are the Big Blacks of Point Pleasant and the young men from Mason County are (5-0) and have outscored their first five foes 255-97 for a per game average of 51 to 19! As in Class AAA, the numbers are for teams that are still undefeated and do not reflect the one or two loss teams that certainly could win it all in Class AA.
In Class A, Wheeling Central Catholic has several teams looking to dethrone them as the King of Hill in the small schools division! The team at the top in the WVSSAC rankings last week has really been looking good this season as the Golden Knights of Mt. View High School from Welch, WV currently own a (5-0) record and have outscored their opponents 211-45 for a per game average of 42 to 9! And, there are four other undefeated teams in Class A, including the Cameron Dragons who are (6-0) and have outscored their first six foes 262-50 for a per game average of 44 to 8. Doddridge County is (5-0) and have outscored their opponents 259-69 fro a per game average of 52 to 14. The Patriots of Midland Trail are (6-0) and have outscored their opponents 211-58 fro a per game average of 35 to 10 and the Crusaders of Parkersburg Catholic continue to win and are currently (6-0). The young men from Wood County have outscored their first six opponents 254-92 for a per game average of 42 to 15. Just like in the other two classifications, there are several one and two loss teams in Class A that are playing great football and certainly could play a part in determining the final bracket at Wheeling Island Stadium in December.
Coming up in week #7, the Martinsburg Bulldogs will be facing their toughest test of the season as the Warriors of Sherando High School from Stephens City, Virginia bring their (5-0) record to the Eastern Panhandle to battle Head Coach Dave Walker and his team. Last year, Martinsburg slipped by Sherando 31-28 to remain undefeated. Also in Class AAA this weekend, Hedgesville (5-1) travels to Musselman (5-0)! In Class AA, Weir (5-1) will visit East West Stadium to take on undefeated Fairmont Senior (6-0) while North Marion (3-2) travels to Bridgeport (5-1). In Class A, Fayetteville (4-2) will try and get back on the winning track as they travel to Notre Dame (3-2) and Wheeling Central Catholic (5-0) welcomes the Crusaders of Steubenville Central Catholic (5-1).
Make plans to join Dave Jecklin and me this Friday night from 9:30 to Midnight for another edition of GAMENIGHT as we talk with coaches, play by play crews and fans from across the state, plus as always, we will have all the scores of all the games! The show can be heard on many great radio stations around the state and the live video and audio of the show at wvmetronews.com!