— By Shawn Rine
GAMES TO WATCH
CLASS AAA
No. 6 Wheeling Park (5-1) at No. 5 Musselman (6-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Wheeling Park rallied from a 15-point, fourth-quarter deficit to knock off Morgantown, 34-28. Musselman had no issue in rolling past Hedgesville, 62-6.
Why it’s important: When you get to this point in the season, the playoffs are in view. When and where is still be decided, but this game is going to go a long way in determining where these two schools end up. A victory here would likely assure at least one home playoff game. Last year these teams competed in a thriller at Wheeling Island Stadium, with Musselman emerging with a 41-35 victory.
Who to watch for Wheeling Park: It all begins with quarterback Alex Dunlevy, who is giving teams fits with both his arm and legs. He threw for a school-record 370 yards last week and for the season is 85 of 228 for 1.468 yards. Dunlevy has thrown 16 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Who to watch for Musselman: Things have a tendency to go through Blake Hartman, for the Applemen. He has already accumulated more than 1,200 yards and has scored 21 touchdowns on the ground. Hartman also has 15 catches for 313 yards and a pair of scores.
CLASS A
No. 6 Wheeling Central (4-2) at Martins Ferry, Ohio (3-4)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Coming off a lopsided loss the weak prior, Wheeling Central enjoyed its bye. Martins Ferry was handed a 21-7 loss by Indian Creek, Ohio.
Why it’s important: This is the third and final road game for the Maroon Knights. They’re 0-2 away from home, being outscored 73-7 in the process by unbeaten powers Linsly and Fort Frye, Ohio. Wheeling Central can win a title from anywhere in the Class A bracket, but would much rather not have to leave home for as long as possible, so this is a big one. It is Senior Night for the Purple Riders, who are one of Ohio’s most storied programs.
Who to watch for Wheeling Central: Quarterback Curtis McGhee III left the previous loss early with injury, but could have returned if the outcome was in doubt. Thus far he has rushed for 629 yards and passed for 526 yards.
Who to watch for Martins Ferry: The Riders have historically been a run-first program, but that has changed with four-year starter Jake Probst at quarterback. He has 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air.
No. 4 Williamstown (6-1) at No. 13 Tyler Consolidated (4-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Last Week: Williamstown earned a hard-fought, 33-27 victory against Warren, Ohio. Tyler Consolidated came out the right side of a 28-14 slugfest with physically imposing Buffalo.
Why it’s important: There are streaks on the line. The Yellowjackets have won six in a row since a season-opening loss, while the Silver Knights have run off four straight victories after dropping their first two. This could vault Tyler Consolidated, which sits on the edge of the playoff race, right up into the thick of things.
Who to watch for Williamstown: Quarterback Braden Modesitt has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards this season to go with nine touchdowns and one interception.
Who to watch for Tyler Consolidated: Quarterback Gage Huffman is the team’s second-leading rusher, having gained 528 yards to go with 12 TDs. In last week’s victory he completed 7 of 14 for 182 yards and a score.
Other games: Brooke (1-5) at John Marshall (2-4); Class AA No. 5 Oak Glen (7-0) at Harrison Central, Ohio (3-4); Weir (3-4) at Edison, Ohio (0-7); Class A No. 8 Madonna (6-1) at Toronto, Ohio (5-2); Magnolia (0-6) at Class A No. 11 St. Marys (4-2); Class A No. 14 Clay-Battelle (4-2) at Cameron (4-3); Hancock, Md. (1-5), at Hundred (1-6); Frontier, Ohio (6-1) at Valley Wetzel (2-4)