High School Sportsline broadcast (Sept. 23)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In their last 17 games dating back to the start of the 2019 season, Doddridge County has allowed more than 7 points just 3 times. In their 3-0 start this fall, the Bulldogs have yet to allow a point.
Doddridge went 13-1 in 2019, advancing to the Class A state championship game. They graduated some of the best players in program history in running back Hunter America, lineman Cole James and receiver/defensive back Griffin Devericks. Head coach Bobby Burnside says this year’s group is looking to create their own unique persona.
“It was maybe the most talented group that we have ever had come through our school,” Burnside said. “This year’s senior class and the entire team, they want to have their own identity. We are working hard to do that.”
The Bulldogs look to run their regular-season win streak to 32 games when they travel a dozen miles west to Ellenboro to face Ritchie County (2-1) Friday. Burnside is preparing to face RCHS sophomore quarterback Ethan Haught a second time. Haught has tossed seven touchdown passes without throwing an interception in three games.
“I was impressed last year but he has matured physically and he has a good arm. Now he scrambles so he is definitely a big threat.”
Meanwhile, the Rebels are seeking their first win over Doddridge since 2013. Ritchie head coach Rick Haught has been impressed with the play of the Bulldog ground game that is led by senior Reese Burnside. He is averaging 144.7 yards per game while scoring 6 touchdowns.
“I think he has taken another step,” Rick Haught said. “I know Hunter America was a talent but I think Reese Burnside has turned into a big hitter for them. We have preached to our guys all week they have got to be disciplined and they have to be where they belong to be in position to make a tackle. Or they will hit a big one on us.”
Blue Devils lead the way in Class A
On the strength of their 34-26 win over Ritchie County, St. Marys checked in with the No. 1 spot in the first edition of the WVSSAC Class A ratings. The Blue Devils snuffed out a late Ritchie rally to improve to 3-0 entering Friday’s game vs. Calhoun County.
“The whole four quarters, which is what you have to play, we had a lot of big plays that happened,” said St. Marys head coach Jodi Mote. “They had a lot of big plays. It was a great high school game for a football fan.”
Liberty Raleigh can match 2019 win total Friday
The Raiders of Liberty Raleigh are one of six Class AA teams that have jumped out to 3-0 starts. Under fourth-year head coach Mark Workman, the Raiders continue to improve and they can match win total from last year if they can defeat Clay County (3-0) Friday.
“These kids that are seniors and juniors have started for me since they were freshmen,” Workman said. “There’s a ton of experience that comes along with it.
“They are hungry. We have taken our lumps over the last three years. They have put in the work and they are tired of taking those lumps.”
Tygarts Valley puts perfect record on the line in Glenville
In yet another newly-created matchup on the schedule, Tygarts Valley (3-0) will visit Morris Stadium in Glenville Friday to face Gilmer County (2-1). The Bulldogs have outscored their three opponents 152-22 this fall and they are seeking back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in school history.
“We always had high hopes for this group from clear back in their youth days,” said Tygarts Valley head coach Rodney Bright. “It is just something about this group of guys. They are very competitive, not only on the football field but in their schoolwork. It is a good group of kids. They came into a program that was down in numbers and size and it forced us to play a lot of them as freshmen and sophomores. Eleven of the fifteen of them started at least one way last year.
“They have played so well together. It is uncanny sometimes in practice they coach themselves.”
Rare rematch awaits Princeton against Bluefield
For the second time in the opening month of the season, Princeton will face Bluefield Friday evening at Hunnicut Stadium. The Beavers scored 15 unanswered points to defeat the Tigers 15-13 back on September 4. Princeton rebounded well with a 34-14 win over 2019 Class AAA semifinalist Parkersburg South last week.
“I only have five seniors but those five seniors are the heart of our football program,” said Princeton head coach Chris Pedigo. “Three of those guys came in with me when we started this four years ago. I can’t thank them enough. Amir Powell, Ethan Parsons and Josiah Honaker, those guys have been what this program is trying to be. We are trying to get athletes and get them out in space and let them play football. All three of those guys had big games last week. We played well in all three phases.”
“We are excited about this week. It is 2020. You don’t usually get a second chance but we are grateful for a second chance.”
James Monroe makes their 2020 debut
Logan County and Monroe County teams have been cleared to return to the field this weekend. All four high school football teams from these counties have yet to play a game. James Monroe is coming off back-to-back 6-4 seasons and they will host Montcalm Friday.
“I suspect I am going to have to calm them down,” said James Monroe head coach Chris Boothe. “I am going to have to tell them that you can’t score 21 points on 1 play. We are going to have to calm them down and stress to take it play-by-play and relax and have fun but don’t get so out of control that you can’t function as a player.”