— By Fred Persinger II
CLASS AAA
No. 12 Greenbrier East (6-4) at No. 5 Ripley (9-1)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last week: Ripley defeated Ravenswood 41-7. Greenbrier East defeated Riverside 44-24.
Why it’s important: Both teams are newcomers into the Class AAA playoff field this season. Greenbrier East will be making just its second playoff appearance in 20 years. This will be a rematch from Oct. 12, when Ripley traveled to Fairlea and won 28-26 as the Spartans missed a tying two-point conversion with under two minutes left.
Who to watch for Greenbrier East: Running back Jaylon Battaile rushed for 236 yards on 29 carries last week against Riverside.
Class AA
No. 15 Oak Hill (7-3) at No. 2 Bluefield (9-1)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Bluefield defeated Woodrow Wilson 20-7. Oak Hill defeated Westside 42-8.
Why it’s important: Another rematch from the regular season as Bluefield defeated Oak Hill 49-6 on Oct. 19. Bluefield has won 17 straight over Oak Hill in the series.
Who to watch for Bluefield: The Beavers trio of running backs Juice Edwards, J.J. Davis and Arnold Martin all average over 10 yards a carry this season.
Who to watch for Oak Hill: The combination of quarterback Khori Bass and running back/slot receiver Abraham Farrow. In the first meeting, the Bluefield defense held Bass to 57 yards rushing and 100 yards passing, while Farrow was held to 61 yards rushing.
No. 13 Petersburg (7-2) at No. 4 Nicholas County (10-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Nicholas County defeated Richwood 41-0. Petersburg secured its playoff spot by beating East Hardy 36-18.
Why It’s Important: The Grizzlies will try to continue their unbeaten season, while Petersburg is hoping to pull off an upset in its first playoff appearance since 1993.
Who To watch for Nicholas County: While quarterback Jared Sagraves is the focal point of the offense, running back Jacob O’Dell rushed for 265 yards and four touchdowns last week.
No. 11 Shady Spring (8-2) at No. 6 Robert C. Byrd (8-2)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Robert C. Byrd defeated Philip Barbour 50-7. Shady Spring blanked Pocahontas County 22-0.
Why it’s important: This will be the first playoff appearance for Shady Spring since 2011. In that season, the Tigers advanced all the way to the Class AA semifinals. To reach the quarterfinals this time around, they’ll need to slow an explosive Eagles’ offense and pull off the upset on the road.
Who to watch for Shady Spring: The rushing attack of Drew Clark, Isaiah Valentine and Haven Chapman have led the team all season.
Class A
No. 15 Tucker County (6-4) at No. 2 Midland Trail (10-0)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Last Week: Midland Trail defeated Roane County 25-0. Tucker County lost at Notre Dame 28-20.
Why It’s Important: Midland Trail finished the regular season 10-0 for the first time in school history and was able to lock up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
Who to watch for Midland Trail: Dual threat quarterback Austin Isaacs led the offense throughout the unbeaten season.
No. 14 Ritchie County (7-3) at No. 3 Mount View (9-1)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m. (at Princeton High School)
Last Week: Mount View defeated Greenbrier West 26-12. Ritchie County got past Calhoun County 50-30.
Why It’s Important: Mount View is making its first appearance in the playoffs in more than 10 years and is making its first postseason appearance as a Class A school. The game will be played in Princeton at Hunnicutt Stadium.
Who to watch for Mount View: The explosive offense, as the Golden Knights have surpassed 40 points five times this season and gone over 50 points twice. With the speed the Golden Knights have, playing on the turf in Princeton could be a tough matchup for the Rebel defense.
No. 11 Summers County (7-3) at No. 6 Williamstown (8-2)
When: Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Last Week: Doddridge County defeated Williamstown 14-7. Summers County shutout Fayetteville 20-0.
Why It’s Important: Summers County has won seven games in a row after starting the season 0-3. The Bobcats went on a similar run last year and made it to the semifinals before losing to Wheeling Central.
Who to watch for Summers County: Quarterback Timmy Persiani has helped propel his team to the seven-game winning streak. Persiani has thrown 20 touchdown passes over the stretch for the Bobcats.