Fast start leads Bluefield into the semifinals with 33-10 win over North Marion

November 20, 2020 - 10:45 pm

Bluefield team captains Juwaun Green (2), Carson Deep (12), Dakota Stroupe (15) and Brandon Wiley (9) take the field before the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jacorian Green (7) forces North Marion’s Hunter Kuhn (4) to fumble the football during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield quarterback Carson Deeb (12) runs the ball during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Brandon Wiley (9) runs the ball during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jacob Martin (3) runs for a touchdown past North Marion defender Cole Malnick (16) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion’s Hunter Kuhn (4) is tackled by Bluefield defenders Jaeon Flack (23) and Javontae Smith (34) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion’s Gavan Lemley (28) is tackled by Bluefield’s Ryker Brown (8) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Brandon Wiley (9) runs the ball downfield as teammate Jaeon Flack (23) sets up to block during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Ryker Brown (8) forces North Marion’s Gavan Lemley (28) to fumble the football during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion’s Tariq Miller (2) catches a pass over Bluefield’s Jacorian Green (7) for a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield quarterback Carson Deeb (12) makes a pass during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Ryker Brown (8) rings a bell dedicated in honor of the late “Lil” Tony Webster after scoring a touchdown during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jackson Wills (32) kicks off during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion’s Gavan Lemley (28) is tackled by Bluefield defenders Jacob Martin (3) and Ryker Brown (8) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield head coach Fred Simon yells at an official during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jaeon Flack (23) takes the handoff from quarterback Carson Deeb (12) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion’s Tariq Miller (2) catches a pass over Bluefield defender Jacorian Green (7) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jacob Martin (3) stiff-arms North Marion’s Parker Kincell (6) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jaeon Flack (23) runs for a first down as North Marion’s Tyler Curry (50) defends during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jacob Martin (3) tackles North Marion’s Hunter Kuhn (4) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion quarterback Brody Hall (12) makes a pass during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Juwaun Green (2) tackles North Marion’s Tariq Miller (2) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion quarterback Brody Hall (12) runs for yardage during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion quarterback Brody Hall (12) passes the ball during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion football coach Daran Hays is coaching the North Bears this week. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion’s Gavan Lemley (28) breaks a tackle attempt by Bluefield’s Ryker Brown (8) during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jacob Martin (3) is tackled by North Marion’s Dylan Composky (11) on the way to a first down during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Jacob Martin (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown as North Marion’s Dylan Composky (11) defends during the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

North Marion head coach Daran Hays and Bluefield head coach Fred Simon shake hands after the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

Bluefield’s Ross Simon (50) celebrates after the West Virginia high school football game between Bluefield and North Marion at Mitchell Stadium, Friday, November 20, 2020, in Bluefield. Bluefield won 33-10. (Photo by Marcus Constantino)

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — No. 2 Bluefield found the end zone three times in the first quarter and leaned on a solid defensive effort in a 33-10 win over No. 10 North Marion in the Class AA quarterfinals at Mitchell Stadium.

“Games like this, you like to get a good start and not have to battle from behind,” said Bluefield head coach Fred Simon. “I think it helped us because they are well-coached and I was very concerned coming in.”

The Beavers used first quarter touchdowns from Jacob Martin (24-yard run), Brandon Wiley (50-yard punt return) and Ryker Brown (50-yard touchdown reception from Carson Deeb) to take a 19-7 lead after one stanza. North Marion’s touchdown came on a Brody Hall 26-yard pass to Tariq Miller in the end zone on fourth-and-10.

Bluefield’s (7-1) defense forced three first half turnovers, and four in the game, as they led 19-7 at halftime.

“Quickness and getting to our keys on defense, I think that helped us quite a bit.”

Jaeon Flack capped a 7-minute Beaver drive in the third quarter with a 25-yard touchdown tote, giving the home team a 26-7 lead through three quarters.

The Huskies (6-4) responded with a Malachi Funkhouser 21-yard field goal early in the fourth to make it a two-score game at 26-10. But Martin found the end zone on a 6-yard run on Bluefield’s next possession, putting the game out of reach.

For the fourth consecutive season, Bluefield will face Fairmont Senior in the postseason. The Polar Bears are expected to select Saturday, November 28 at 4 p.m. as the date and time at Mitchell Stadium for the Class AA semifinal.

“I think (FSHS quarterback) Gage Michael is a tremendous leader, to me in my opinion is probably the best football player in the state. I felt for sure they would definitely be there, whether we were or not, I couldn’t tell you.”

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