CLASS AAA
No. 6 Wheeling Park (4-1) at Morgantown (1-5)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Wheeling Park enjoyed its bye week, so the Patriots should be rested and ready. Morgantown was on the wrong end of a 35-0 blanking at the hands of Musselman.
Why it’s important: Once again Class AAA appears to be top heavy, meaning every game counts in terms of trying to get into the upper tier of the bracket. That way, Park will be welcoming some of the tougher foes to Wheeling Island Stadium come postseason, rather than the other way around. This would be a huge victory for the Mohigans, in what has been a trying season. The game will be shown live on the MetroNews channel.
Who to watch for Wheeling Park: Running back Raphael Bradley has run for 390 yards and five touchdowns, to lead a Patriots running game that averages more than 200 yards a game.
Who to watch for Morgantown: Do-it-all Jace Wetsell has proven to be a consistent threat in a number of ways. At just 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, the senior has a hard running style and an uncanny ability to remain on his feet after contact.
CLASS AA
Toronto, Ohio (5-1) at No. 6 Oak Glen (6-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Toronto went on the road and rolled Leetonia, Ohio, 38-7. Oak Glen showed no signs of letting up, punishing Edison, Ohio, 50-3.
Why it’s important: Several reasons, really. For one, it is a matchup of the No. 6 AA team in West Virginia against the No. 1-rated Ohio Division VII, Region 25 squad. Secondly, this is the final regular-season home game for the Golden Bears, who finish with road games against Harrison Central, Ohio, Lincoln County and Grafton. Last, but not least, there are serious home-field postseason implications on both sides.
Who to watch for Toronto: Running back Garrett Dozier spearheads a multi-faceted offense. Thus far, he has run for 509 yards and four touchdowns.
Who to watch for Oak Glen: Senior defensive back Michael Lemley leads one of the top defenses in the state. Oak Glen is allowing 137 yards and 9.5 points each contest.
Other games: Mountain Ridge, Md. (2-3) at Class AAA No. 16 University (2-4); Class AA No. 1 Fairmont Senior (5-0) at Weir (3-3); Class A No. 9 Madonna (5-1) at Beallsville, Ohio (2-4); Buffalo (3-2) at Class A No. 15 Tyler Consolidated (3-2); Class A No. 16 Clay-Battelle (3-2) at Paden City (2-4); Cameron (3-3) at Conotton Valley, Ohio (2-4); Marietta, Ohio (3-3) at Magnolia (0-5); Hundred (1-5) at Valley Wetzel (1-4)