MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Notes from around West Virginia as the quarterfinal round is set to kickoff Friday evening:
Spring Mills, Frankfort and East Hardy look to knock off top seeds
The No. 1 seeds in all three classes bring 11-0 records into the quarterfinal rounds and visiting teams have upsets on their minds. Only one of these contests features a regular season rematch. In Class AAA, Spring Mills (7-4) looks to avenge a 77-0 against Martinsburg from week seven. Cardinals’ head coach Chad Williams says that game marked a turning point in their season, and they have won four of five games since.
“What we were doing wasn’t working,” Williams said. “We got together as a coaching staff and pretty much changed everything we were doing. The results speak for themselves. We are not the same team that played there five weeks ago. Hopefully what we are doing now and how much better we are now as a team — we can put on a better show.”
With a 28-27 win at Greenbrier East last Friday, the Cardinals claimed their first playoff victory in the seven-year history of the program.
“We’re a young program. We don’t really have a community or an alumni base being a newer school,” Williams said. “But people are starting to pay attention to us. I am hearing things out in the community that people want to get involved in the program. The students and the teachers, I have never seen them get excited about football the way they are right now.”
While Spring Mills looks to end Martinsburg’s 53-game win streak, Frankfort gets a chance to halt the state’s second-longest win streak. The Falcons (9-2) visit a Fairmont Senior team Friday night that has won 25 consecutive games. Their last loss came in the 2017 state championship game against Bluefield.
“Apparently according to everyone we are the underdog,” said Frankfort head coach Kevin Whiteman. “But we will go down there and play the game. We’ll just prepare the best we can and give our best effort. I have no doubt my boys are going to do that.”
Frankfort won their first postseason game since the 2014 semifinals last week, defeating Nicholas County 58-12.
In Class A, East Hardy (8-3) will trek across the state to face top-seeded Doddridge County. The Cougars are just two years removed from a spot in the Super Six. East Hardy has won eight of their last nine games, including a 12-7 opening round win over Midland Trail. The Cougars have made a six-win improvement this fall and second-year head coach Devon Orndorff is not surprised his team is still standing.
“This is the standard. Coach Will (Chad Williams) built the program and I was lucky enough to be a part of it when it was being built and these boys were as well. Winning is all we know,” Orndorff said. “The guys were motivated by that 2-8 season in the offseason.”
Scouting trip pays off double for Musselman
With a bye week to close out their regular season, Musselman (9-2) coaches hit the road to scout potential playoff opponents in week eleven. As it turns out, they scouted their first two postseason foes when Parkersburg faced Parkersburg South. The Applemen knocked off the Big Reds 48-29 last Friday and they will visit the Patriots Saturday.
“We crunched the numbers and it looked like they (PSHS) was going to be the four-seed and we were going to be the five, barring a crazy upset,” said Musselman head coach Brian Thomas. “I have a lot of respect for Parkersburg South and think they are a really good ball club. They play tough and are coached very well.”
Golden Bears migrate south seeking program-best 12th win
After a 55-13 opening-round win over Wyoming East, Oak Glen (11-0) will visit fellow unbeaten Poca Saturday afternoon. The Golden Bear offense is well-balanced. They average 180 passing yards per game and rush for 259 yards. Head coach Ted Arneault, Jr. says an improved offensive line has led the way.
“We were more pass-heavy last year and we wanted to run the ball more this year,” Arneault, Jr. said. “We knew our offensive line would jell. Our offensive line has really worked together in tandem. We have six kids that work into the rotation and are just outstanding.”
Cabell Midland meets GW for first time since 2015
Mountain State Athletic Conference Champion Cabell Midland (11-0) hosts George Washington Friday evening. The Patriots (8-3) have won eight of their last nine games after an 0-2 start.
“It always starts up front and they have gotten a heck of a lot better over the years,” said Cabell Midland head coach Luke Salmons. “It is going to be a tough game but that’s what you want in round two. That’s why you play.”
If the Knights win, they will guarantee themselves a regular season rematch in Ona versus the winner of the Capital-Spring Valley quarterfinal.
Pendleton and Ritchie look to build off first home playoff victories
The No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in Class A each made school history last weekend by collecting their first postseason victories at home. Ritchie County defeated South Harrison 40-6 and Pendleton County knocked off Moorefield 26-7.
“It was a phenomenal feeling,” said Pendleton County head coach Zac Smith. “We had a great turnout and we’re expecting a good one this Saturday. It was a great win for not only our town and community but for our program. I think I enjoyed the weekend more than the kids did.”
“All season I have been impressed with how they have handled each game — in a win or in a loss,” said Ritchie County head coach Rick Haught. “Last week, since it was our first playoff home win, it seemed like that game was more of a hurdle to cross. This is the week there seems to be a lot of buzz.”
Pendleton (10-1) will host St. Marys Saturday while Ritchie County (10-1) will welcome Wheeling Central Catholic to Ellenboro. The Wildcats now own seven postseason victories in school history while the Rebels have collected four.
