Mid-Ohio Valley Report: Week 12

— By Eric Little

Even though only one Mid-Ohio Valley team had the choice of game time/date this week, area football fans will be more eager for Friday than Rebecca Black. Why? Because all five of the area playoff teams open their quest for a state championship on Fred Persinger’s favorite day of the week. We-we-we so excited, indeed. All game dates/times listed:

CLASS AAA

No. 13 South Charleston (4-6) at No. 4 Parkersburg South (9-1)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Parkersburg South capped its first nine-win campaign since 2004 with a 49-14 win over crosstown rival Parkersburg. The Patriots scored more than 40 points in seven of 10 regular season contests.

South Charleston enters the playoffs off a 62-21 loss to Cabell Midland Friday. South Charleston weathered a four-game losing streak to win three of four heading into last week’s clash with Cabell Midland. Two of SC’s six losses are by three points or fewer. 

Why It’s Important: Parkersburg South wants to erase the bitter memory of last season’s opening round loss to Hedgesville. After losing a 21-point first half lead, the Patriots rallied to score in the game’s final minute — taking the lead with a two-point conversion. Hedgesville responded by returning the ensuing kickoff for the eventual game-winning touchdown.   

South Charleston is making a return to the playoffs after a one-year absence and has qualified in six of Donnie Mays’ seven-year stint as head coach. The Black Eagles are also eager to prove they’re better than their sub-.500 record would indicate.

For being just two of fewer than 30 Class AAA teams, it’s somewhat remarkable that this will be the first meeting between these schools since 1998, when South Charleston defeated Parkersburg South 22-14. That was the last of a regular series of meetings between the schools when both were members of the Mountain State Athletic Conference.

Who to Watch for Parkersburg South: Brandon Penn was a monster on both sides of the ball against rival Parkersburg last Friday. Penn factored into four offensive touchdowns, running for one and connecting with three different receivers (Dylan Day, Jeffrey Tucker and Landon Francisco). He also provided South’s first defensive score of the season on a 30-yard scoop-and-score fumble recovery touchdown. That, combined with his three interceptions on defense, made him the dominant force on the field last Friday.

South head coach Nathan Tanner said Penn’s effort throughout the season has helped carry the Patriots.

“Brandon, he’s a workhorse for us. Quarterback, safety, punts for us. Just does a little bit of everything.” Tanner said of his senior. “It’s just a testament to how much work he puts in and he produces at a high level.”

As far as other threats go? There’s always dependable workhorse running back Devin Gaines, who ran for 153 yards and a pair of scores against the Big Reds last week.

Dylan Day is South’s leading receiver with 51 catches for 834 yards and seven touchdowns. He also And 11 of Landon Francisco’s 17 catches this season have come in the last two weeks, including touchdowns against Parkersburg. 

No. 12 Parkersburg (5-5) at No. 5 Musselman (8-2)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Parkersburg enters the postseason with back-to-back losses. The latest was a 49-14 setback at the hands of Parkersburg South. PHS turned the ball over seven times for the second straight game. The Big Reds are 0-4 away from Stadium Field this season.

Musselman finished its season with a 57-14 home loss to Martinsburg. The Applemen won the prior five games though — with three shutouts this season — and scored more than 40 points in half their games.

Why It’s Important: Parkersburg is looking to find some measure of rhythm or consistency following an ACL injury that ended senior Braeden Mason’s high school career.

PHS head coach Mike Byus says the one thing the Big Reds haven’t lost is Mason’s leadership.

“We haven’t lost his leadership because he doesn’t leave our side, even during the game.” Byus said of Mason’s presence. “He’s right there. He has suggestions. He’s been in the fire for three years now.”

Musselman, somewhat overshadowed by the dominant Eastern Panhandle force that is Martinsburg, wants the chance to go on a long playoff run and prove that they also belong among the state’s Class AAA football elites.

Who to Watch for Parkersburg: A lot is thrust upon the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Bryson Singer, but he has help from receiver Sam Potts and running back Anthony Craig. Potts has also intercepted seven passes this season.

Matt Curry is listed as a tight end, but was often split out from the offensive line last week and caught five passes for 75 yards, including a fourth-quarter touchdown grab. 

CLASS A

No. 11 Cameron (7-3) at No. 6 St. Marys (8-2)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: St. Marys ended the season of Little Kanawha Conference rival Tyler Consolidated with a 43-34 home win over the Silver Knights. The Blue Devils return to the postseason after a one-year absence and enter the playoffs on a five-game winning streak.

Cameron bounced back from a 2-3 start to also finish the season with five straight wins. The latest was a 33-22 win Nov. 2 at Bridgeport, Ohio, so the Dragons have had nearly two full weeks to rest and prepare for the playoffs. Interestingly enough, Cameron’s three losses have been against teams from three different states. (West Virginia – Madonna; Pennsylvania – West Greene; Ohio – Frontier.)

Why It’s Important: For a program that’s been a perennial playoff participant, and often state title contender under head coach Jodi Mote, a one-year postseason absence has felt like an eternity. Also, the St. Marys defense would like the opportunity to earn respect. The Blue Devil defenders have held five of their ten opponents to single digits this season.

Cameron is looking to make a run in the Dragons’ fourth straight playoff appearance.

Who to Watch for St. Marys: Cyle West emerged from the St. Marys depth chart to run for 63 yards and three touchdowns for the Blue Devils against Tyler Consolidated last week. William Steele, Richard Dornan and Brennan Boron also provided rushing scores for St. Marys. 

While the Blue Devils lack an established workhorse back, they have many who are able to carry the load for a game or two at a time.

This might give St. Marys an advantage, with running backs who’ve shared the load all season and who are possibly less battered and beaten at this point of the season than many of their opponents. 

No. 15 South Harrison (6-4) at No. 2 Ritchie County (9-1)

When: Friday 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Ritchie County finished a nine-win season with a 48-12 win over Calhoun County. The Rebels are riding a six-game winning streak into their second straight postseason appearance. 

South Harrison won three of its last four games and enters the playoffs off a 60-30 win at Tucker County last Friday.

The game before that stretch of three out of four wins? A 38-12 home loss on Oct. 11 to these Ritchie County Rebels. This game is one of just six in the state and two in Class A this week to be a rematch from the regular season.

Why It’s Important: Ritchie County has earned the right to stay at home until the Super Six round of the playoffs, should they qualify. This is rare air for the Rebels, indeed. Ritchie County will be looking to play up to those expectations and get their playoff run off on the right foot this week, and against an opponent with whom they’ve already experienced success this season.

South Harrison has been a thorn in a lot of teams’ side this season, handing losses to two playoff teams (Moorefield and Tygarts Valley). All four of the Hawks losses have come against playoff teams, including Liberty Harrison and three of the top six seeds in Class A.

Who to Watch for Ritchie County: The Rebel passing game missed Gus Morrison during his recent two-game injury absence, but the wide out returned with a huge game against Calhoun County last Friday. Morrison hauled in a season-high three touchdown passes, reaching the end zone following all three of his receptions. 

Tre Moss toted the rock for 183 yards and a pair of Ritchie County touchdowns. Graden McKinney scored on a 99-yard interception return for touchdown last week. It’s the second straight week McKinney has reached the end zone without an offensive score, following a kickoff return touchdown in the week prior.

Running back Garrett Owens joined Morrison among the walking wounded over the last few weeks. Owens practiced last week and will practice in full contact situations this week, but is still a game-time decision for head coach Rick Haught. For Haught, the timing of the injuries to Morrison and Owens — against Webster County a few weeks ago — came at a time where the Rebels were really starting to figure things out, offensively.

“I thought the Webster game, when we lost those two, was when our offense was really starting to hit in high gear.” Haught said of his two injured Rebels. “They’re coming back at a really good time for us.”

No. 12 Tug Valley (6-3) at No. 5 Williamstown (8-2)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Williamstown enters the playoffs after a bye week, following their 20-7 Week 10 loss to Doddridge County. The seven points made up the Yellowjackets’ lowest offensive output all season. Williamstown won eight straight games during the regular season, bracketed by losses to two playoff contenders in the season opener (Wheeling Central) and the season finale (Doddridge County).

Tug Valley also had their bye week in Week 11 and enters the playoffs on a three-game winning streak. The most recent of those was a 20-12 win over Man. Tug Valley has scored at least 14 points in all nine of their games and topped 30 in seven of the nine. 

Why It’s Important: Many consider the Yellowjackets a favorite to return to the Super Six, but with a possible matchup against Doddridge County looming in the semifinals, Williamstown has its work cut out.

First things first, a decisive win against Tug Valley would make a statement and build confidence for a team that’s had two weeks to ponder the Doddridge County loss.

Tug Valley will be looking to pull an upset that would prove the strength and might of Class A football in coal country this season. Their win over Man is their only win against a playoff team this season, but that’s a win over a Class AA playoff participant.

Who to Watch for Williamstown: Look for Ty Moore to bounce back from a rough outing against Doddridge County two weeks ago. Quarterback Brayden Modesitt is a threat with both his throwing arm and his legs, frequently targeting Mason Deem, Eric Brown and Nick Bondi.





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