High School Football Roundup
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LINCOLN COUNTY AT DODDRIDGE COUNTY
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Did not play
Lincoln County (1-1) results: d. Roane County, 33-14; lost to Ripley, 21-7
Doddridge County (2-0) results: d. Tyler Consolidated, 40-0; d. Calhoun County, 47-0
Key Lincoln County players: QB Gabe Bates, WR William Phillips, RB Isaiah Smith
Key Doddridge County players: WR/DB Seth Richards, OL/DL Ian Spadafore, P/K DJ Devinney
Keys to victory: Lincoln County brings a balanced offensive attack to its matchup with Doddridge County. However, this hasn't translated into points for the Panthers against veteran teams.
This could be a problem against the Bulldogs.
Bobby Burnside's group brings a stingy defense into the matchup with the Class AAA team. Dave Bear Burnside's defense hasn't allowed any points in its first two games. Stingy play in the secondary along with a rushing attack that wears down opponents allows the Bulldogs to control the pace of the game.
Of course, the Panthers competing on an even level with Ripley one week ago gives the visitors some confidence. Again though, they must finish off drives with points as the Bulldogs can score from multiple spots on the field.
RAVENSWOOD AT ROANE COUNTY
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Roane County 14, Ravenswood 7
Ravenswood (0-2) results: lost to Buffalo, 21-6; lost to Williamstown, 61-7
Roane County (0-2) results: lost to Lincoln County, 33-14; lost to Clay County, 16-14
Ravenswood key players: RB/DB Shawn Banks, QB/CB Ben Queen, G/DT Ethan Lane
Roane County key players: QB/DB Layne Epling, WR/LB Skyler Delk, RB/LB Briar Begler
Keys to victory: There's little doubt frustration has been the name of the game for these two teams through the opening weeks of the season. Neither group being able to catch a break has left them both in an 0-2 start in what each thought would be a better start.
Whoever harnesses that frustration better will be the team that leaves with its first victory of the year. So far, Roane County has shown a slightly better ability to get into the end zone. They also face a Ravenswood defense fresh off surrendering 61 points to Williamstown. It is not an ideal situation for Eric Hupp's Red Devils.
The Raiders also showed big signs of improvement on the defensive side of the ball in allowing just 16 points to Clay County one week ago. Expect the Raiders to turn loose their stable of running backs and run to a healthy win.
TYLER CONSOL. AT CALHOUN COUNTY
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Tyler Consolidated 74, Calhoun County 36
Tyler Consolidated (1-1) results: lost to Doddridge County, 40-0; d. South Harrison, 34-6
Calhoun County (0-2) results: lost to Valley (Wetzel), 33-26; lost to Doddridge County, 47-0
Key Tyler Consolidated players: QB/LB Trenton Huffman, WR/DB David Throckmorton, OL/DT David Grimes
Key Calhoun County players: QB/WR Ian Persinger, RB Grant Sterns, OL/LB Logan Smith
Keys to victory: The two teams enter this game off vastly different experiences in Game 2.
Tyler Consolidated took a step forward, while Calhoun County took a step back. If the host Red Devils continue to fall back, then it is going to be a long night.
Their guests bring a high-tempo, multi-headed offensive attack capable of taking over a game from anywhere. Coach Johnny Persinger's group's inability to field fresh players likely spells doom for the home team to pick up a victory.
WEBSTER COUNTY AT WIRT COUNTY
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Did not meet.
Webster (0-2) results: lost to Gilmer, 53-6; lost to Tygarts Valley, 59-0
Wirt (1-1) results: lost to Trinity, 1-0; d. Gilmer, 32-0
Key Webster players: QB Isaiah Mathes, RB Connor Bell, RB Ashton Adkins
Key Wirt players: RB Garrett Parsons, WR Nathan Murray, QB Dylan Lowe
Keys to victory: The Highlanders are coming into Wilson-Eismon Field for the Tigers' home opener.
Webster lost by 47 points two weeks ago to Gilmer, which the orange and black just handled 32-0.
In the first meeting ever between the two programs, Webster's main cog in tailback Connor Bell is likely to have a rough going against Wirt's defense.
The Tigers could be looking at getting a lot of younger players some reps.
GILMER COUNTY AT WAHAMA
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Did not meet.
Gilmer (1-1) results: d. Webster, 53-6; lost to Wirt, 32-0
Wahama (0-2) results: lost to Madonna, 50-20; lost to Ritchie, 35-6
Key Gilmer players: QB Ean Hamric, RB Kyle Moss, WR Elijah Facemire
Key Wahama players: RB Andrew Roush, RB Kase Stewart, QB Sawyer Vanmeter
Keys to victory: If Gilmer County wants to improve upon its three wins from a year ago this is the type of victory the Titans need.
The White Falcons couldn't get anything going offensively in last week's setback to Ritchie.
Wahama, which leads the all-time series 4-0 with wins in 1998 (36-12), 1999 (34-6), 2000 (66-13) and 2001 (58-20), must find a way to contain the Titans' plethora of skill players.
However, turnovers and line play should be the determining factors.
MAGNOLIA AT RIVER
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: River 34, Magnolia 14
Magnolia (0-2) results: lost to Ritchie, 26-0; lost to Shadyside, 50-20
River (2-1) results: lost to Bellaire, 28-14; d. Steubenville Central Catholic, 42-14; d. Monroe Central, 28-6
Key Magnolia players: RB Jason Beisel, QB Silas McKeever, QB Caden Cisar
Key River players: RB Carter Dennis, RB Avery Creamer, QB Brody Lollathin
Keys to victory: Magnolia is looking for some traction after going winless a year ago and starting 2020 with a pair of setbacks.
Things won't be easy inside Flannery Field as the Pilots are aiming for a three-game win streak.
The Blue Eagles, who can't afford to have self inflicted wounds, will need a big game from Jason Beisel. He scored twice last week and rushed for 110 yards.
River, though, won this matchup by three touchdowns last year and will attempt to pound Carter Dennis at the Blue Eagles. Last week, the senior found paydirt twice and rushed for 206 stripes on 17 attempts.
LEWIS COUNTY AT RIPLEY
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Did not play
Ripley (2-0) results: defeated Buckhannon Upshur 42-0, defeated Lincoln County 21-7
Lewis County (1-1) results: defeated Braxton County 1-0, lost to Elkins 25-14
Ripley key players: RB/LB Joey Ramsey, FB/LB Kadin Hall
Lewis County key players: RB/DE Marshall Hobbs, RB/DL Isaac Probst
Keys to victory: The Vikings need to get in a track meet. Joey Ramsey and Kadin Hall ran for 75 and 88 yards respectively in RHS's win over Lincoln County. Those two picked up where they left off against Buckhannon Upshur (both scored twice on the ground in that game), as they are matched up against a Lewis County squad that surrendered more than 300 yards on the ground to Elkins in their de facto season-opener. It is paramount for the Minutemen to establish themselves on the defensive line, or it could be another big night for Ripley head coach Stephen Sayre's offense.
EASTERN
AT WATERFORD
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Waterford 24, Eastern 19
Waterford (2-1) results: lost to Fort Frye 22-6, defeated South Gallia 61-0, defeated Southern 59-6
Eastern (1-2) results: lost to Caldwell 34-20, lost to Trimble 75-3, defeated South Gallia 42-8
Waterford key players: QB/FS Grant McCutcheon, RB/SS Holden Dailey, RB/MLB Joe Pantelidis
Eastern key players: QB Connor Riddenour, RB Blake Newland, RB Steve Fitzgerald
Keys to victory: Coming off two consecutive wins, Waterford enters this Friday night clash against Eastern with serious offensive production. Reeling off a combined 120 points in their last eight quarters, the 'Cats rolled over Southern, thanks in part to a formidable running attack. Holden Dailey ripped off 108 yards on just seven carries in the win. He also managed a blocked punt. Fellow senior Joe Pantelidis found paydirt in the victory, as he joined running backs Dailey and Colton Shriver in finding the endzone. Eastern signal-caller Connor Riddenour wasn't as accurate as Waterford's Grant McCutcheon in the team's lone win over South Gallia, and any chance of an upset will go through his ability to involve his own running duo. Blake Newland and Steve Fitzgerald both rushed for more than 100 yards in the victory.
CAMERON
AT FRONTIER
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Frontier 33, Cameron 20
Cameron (2-0) results: d. Hundred 60-6; d. Valley (Wetzel) 34-22
Frontier (3-0) results: d. Southern, 42-6; d. Beallsville, 66-8; d. Bridgeport, 50-6
Cameron key players: QB Colson Wichterman; WR Isaac Ball; RB Jason Ross
Frontier key players: QB J.D. Schmidt; WR Tanner Bills; WR Breckin Hoff
Keys to victory: This will be Frontier's biggest test of the 2020 season so far.
The Cougars dominated their first three games but have yet to face a team of Cameron's caliber.
The Dragons feature a freshman quarterback and running back, but both players have displayed serious talent early in the season. Frontier's defense will need to contain those two players.
Offensively, the Cougars can throw it with QB J.D. Schmidt or run it with Slade Amos and Noah Barnhart. Cameron's run defense limited Valley to just 80 yards on 25 carries, so Frontier may look to air it out.
BELPRE AT
SOUTH GALLIA
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Belpre 42, South Gallia 12
Belpre (1-2) results: lost to Shenandoah, 48-7; d. Southern, 27-6; lost to Trimble, 41-0
South Gallia results: lost to Symmes Valley, 44-6; lost to Waterford, 61-0; lost to Eastern, 42-8
Belpre key players: RB Connor Baker; QB Walker Feick; K Jordan Harrington
South Gallia key players: QB Tristan Saber; RB Kenny Siders
Keys to victory: South Gallia has yet to allow less than 42 points in a game this season.
In a game Belpre needs to win with big matchups against Waterford and Eastern to follow, look for the Golden Eagles to get their offense rolling early.
WARREN AT MEIGS
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Warren 66, Meigs 28
Warren (2-1) results: d. Marietta, 28-6; lost to Fort Frye, 27-20; d. Logan, 28-14
Meigs (2-1) results: d. Vinton County, 28-20; d. River Valley, 39-12; lost to Nelsonville-York, 42-16
Warren key players: QB Kurt Taylor; WR/DB Evan Gandee; TE/OLB Josh Welch
Meigs key players: QB Coulter Cleland; RB Abe Lundy; WR Jake McElrow
Keys to victory: This one likely will come down to which defense can get a stop.
Meigs and Warren both have high-powered offenses led by talented quarterbacks.
On the other side of the ball, Warren had allowed 15.7 points per game while Meigs has surrendered 24.7. Give the egde to the Warriors.