WEST UNION, W.Va. — For the first time since 1978, Doddridge County will be represented in the state championship in football.
Doddridge County High School Principal Katrina White says the community and school support could not be stronger for the undefeated, top-seeded Bulldogs (13-0).
“Everyone has relationships with these students on all grade levels,” she said of the school’s tight-knit feel. “The players are definitely not strangers to any of the students in the building.”
No. 1 Doddridge County downed No. 4 Williamstown 27-3 at Cline Stansberry Stadium over the weekend to punch its ticket to the Super Six in Wheeling on Saturday night.
The team led by coach Bobby Burnside, will play No. 10 Wheeling Central Catholic (9-4), seeking its third straight Class A title. The Maroon Knights ended the Bulldogs undefeated season last year in the playoffs.
“It’s been a joy to watch these young men mature and strengthen that passion for the game,” White said of the back-to-back undefeated regular seasons.
White added that the school plans to have a pep rally on Friday afternoon followed by a potential sendoff for the team on Saturday morning.
The school, with only 311 students, will have pep buses to bring students to the game on Saturday, which is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m at Wheeling Island Stadium in Wheeling.
White said with all the support this team has gotten from all over the county leading up to the Super Six, there is no doubt in her mind that the stands will be filled with green and yellow on Saturday in Ohio County.
“I believe the Wheeling Feeling is contagious and I believe we will be well represented there.”
The game will be broadcasted on the MetroNews Channel at wvmetronews.com and on the MetroNews Radio Network statewide.