Williamstown has established itself as a viable contender in Class AA this season.
Doddridge County is hoping to do the same by defeating the Yellow Jackets when the two teams clash at 7 p.m. Friday in West Union in the MetroNews Television Game of the Week.
WHS (7-0) is one of three remaining unbeaten teams in Class AA and No. 2 in the latest playoff ratings, sandwiched directly between the two other unbeaten squads in No. 1 Frankfort and No. 3 Sissonville.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs enter No. 7 and winners of six straight since dropping their opener to Roane County.
WATCH WILLIAMSTOWN @ DODDRIDGE COUNTY ON METRONEWS TV
Three keys to watch for Friday:
- Clock management
While this has been a major talking point throughout college football and NFL games this season, there’s no reason it can’t apply at the high school level, too.
Capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be critical for both squads considering the Bulldogs have allowed the second-fewest points (76) of any Class AA team and Williamstown has surrendered the third-fewest at 78.
Managing timeouts to have them available in the latter stages of both halves is important, as is producing points in the middle 8 (last 4 minutes of first half, first 4 minutes of second half) as both teams look to create separation any way possible.
- Rise to the occasion
The two teams are rightfully confident having combined to win 13 straight games.
Six of Williamstown’s seven victories are by no fewer than 17 points, and the Yellowjackets have won each of their last three contests by at least 28.
Doddridge, which suffered its only loss in Week 1 to a Roane County team that was later defeated by Williamstown, has won all six of its games by at least 21 points.
Still, the Bulldogs will need their best performance to date to hand the Yellow Jackets their first setback this season.
In the event it won out and finished the regular season 9-1, DCHS would assure itself of a top 4 seed and the potential for multiple home playoff games, but the Bulldogs still have matchups remaining against a pair of playoff hopefuls in Lincoln and Mingo Central, which only adds to the importance of this showdown.
- Control line of scrimmage
While this is an important factor in any football game, it moves to the forefront in this one as a result of how stingy both defenses have been.
Both teams are essentially allowing 11 points per game, and excluding the 26 Chapmanville scored on Williamstown in its toughest challenge to date, no Yellow Jacket opponent has surpassed 14.
Doddridge will need to win up front to slow Williamstown’s Daniel Cunningham and hold quarterback Breck Allen in check, while the same applies to the Yellow Jackets’ defense in its effort to limit Brandon Davis and Corben Hall, a duo that’s combined for more than 1,400 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.