It was a very successful opening for high school football teams across the state last weekend and there were very few surprises among the higher rated schools. In each class, the teams ranked #1 outscored their opponents by a combined score of 125-52 as Martinsburg, Bluefield and Wheeling Central will all head into week #2 with 1-0 records. If you want to look at some “upsets”, then #3 Capital will probably be at the top of the list, however losing to Johnson Central, KY. is in my mind no upset! Also worthy of note were the teams ranked #2 in last week’s MetroNews Power Rankings, presented by Northside Automotive and Mid-State Ford in Summersville, as Class AAA #2 defeated Wayne 38-0…Class AA #2 Fairmont Senior rolled past Buckhannon-Upshur 56-14 and Class A #2 last week, Williamstown lost to Class A #1 Wheeling Central 35-13!
So, what does week #2 look like and are there any unforeseen upsets lurking in the shadows? Well, let’s look at Class A first this week and at the top spot in the new rankings is Wheeling Central and the Maroon Knights and they will welcome Steubenville Catholic Central in what should be victory #2 for Head Coach Mike Young and his team. Also in Class A, #3 Midland Trail will play their second straight Class AA team as the Oak Hill Red Devils will visit Hico this Friday night. Last week, Oak Hill lost to Class AA #6 Nicholas County 41-7. The Williamstown Yellow Jackets, ranked #4 this week, will try and bounce back from their opening week loss to Wheeling Central as they welcome #6 Magnolia. The Blue Eagles were idle last Friday night and will face a tough opening game against the Yellow Jackets!
In Class AA this week, the top rated Bluefield Beavers will take on another rival from their immediate area as they travel the short distance to Anne S. Hunnicutt Stadium to battle the Class AAA Princeton Tigers. Princeton was idle last week so it will be interesting to see what the Tigers have in store for 2019. The 4th rated Bridgeport Indians will also take on a Class AAA team when they welcome the Morgantown Mohigans to town. Last week, Morgantown lost a 6 point heartbreaker on the road at Parkersburg. The 6th ranked Grizzlies of Nicholas County will hit the road to Raleigh County to battle the undefeated Shady Spring Tigers in a rematch of a game Shady lost by one last year. Both teams have had to regroup a little this season, so this game should be one of the better in the state this weekend.
In Class AAA this second week of the high school season, #1 Martinsburg should have about as tough of a game this week as they did last Friday night when the Bulldogs welcome another team from the Nation’s Capital. Last week, Martinsburg disposed of H. D. Woodson 49-12 and a weaker Eastern team travels from Washington, D.C. this Friday night. Look for much of the same type of score. Number two Spring Valley will hit the road to Putnam County to take on undefeated Hurricane in a battle of very good Mountain State Athletic Conference teams, while 3rd rated Huntington gets their season underway by hosting (1-0) Riverside. The Warriors were impressive in the 2nd half last Friday night as they outscored Beckley 30-0 to win 38-8! The 5th rated Capital Cougars will welcome (1-0) South Charleston to Laidley Field Friday night, while 6th ranked Cabell Midland will host 8th rated Parkersburg in what promises to be quite possibly the best game in the state this weekend!
A reminder, Dave and I will have all the scores of all the games this Friday night from 9:30 to Midnight on HIGH SCHOOL GAMENIGHT! Be sure to tune in on your local radio station or join us for the live video and audio of the show at www.wvmetronews.com!