One team will prolong its unbeaten start to the season, while the other will endure a loss for the first time in 2026.
Class AAA No. 6 Robert C. Byrd plays host to No. 9 Keyser in a matchup of 2-0 teams.
The 7 p.m. contest is the MetroNews Television Game of the Week and pregame coverage starts at 6:30 p.m.
The programs have clashed 12 times before, including last season, when the Golden Tornado scored the final 21 points of a 42-20 victory.
WATCH KEYSER @ ROBERT C. BYRD ON METRONEWS TV
Three keys to watch for Friday:
- Control the line of scrimmage
Both teams have won up front across the first two weeks of the season. Keyser had its way in victories against Berkeley Springs and Lewis County, outscoring the opposition by a combined total of 83-12. The Golden Tornado have often prided themselves on physical play through the years and that doesn’t appear to be any different in 2026, though winning at the point of attack won’t come easily against the Eagles.
RCB also had its way with the Minutemen in a 29-6 season-opening victory, before scoring in the final seconds last Thursday to prevail past Fairmont Senior, 26-21. The Eagles more than doubled the Polar Bears in total yardage, providing an indication of how strong their play was along the offensive and defensive lines.
- Stay disciplined
While the Eagles have a plenty capable quarterback in Isaiah Heflin, staying in front of the sticks will be vital against a KHS defense that’s surrendered a mere 12 points thus far this season.
Penalties have plagued RCB across each of its first two games. They played a part in the Eagles’ inability to pull away from the Minutemen until the second half and helped keep the matchup with the Polar Bears close throughout despite RCB’s significant edge in yardage.
Turnovers come into play here as well, and the team with the better turnover margin will certainly have a leg up in a series that generally serves as a solid measuring stick for where both programs are. Keyser came up with a second-half fumble recovery last week that helped it create separation at Lewis County.
- Limit the big play
Both teams have produced plenty of notable plays early this season.
The Golden Tornado got out to a quick lead last week at LCHS on the strength of quarterback Addison Bradford’s 60-yard touchdown run. KHS later essentially put the game out of reach on the strength of Dominik Crawford’s 47-yard TD run in the second half.
The Eagles, meanwhile produced a number of big plays through the air last week in their emotional win against Fairmont Senior, including a trick play 35-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-5 where wide receiver Junior Smith throw to Heflin for the winning score.
Heflin finished with 256 passing yards and an additional 81 rushing in addition to his game-winning touchdown grab. Smith, meanwhile, is a quarterback-turned-receiver and someone Keyser will need to be aware of throughout. The Eagles can get him touches by way of special teams, receptions or handoffs, and he hauled in five passes for 114 yards with a TD catch and a 2-point pass reception last week.