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DODDRIDGE COUNTY AT WIRT COUNTY
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Doddridge County 35, Wirt County 0
Doddridge County (4-0) results: d. Tyler Consolidated, 40-0; d. Calhoun County, 47-0; d. Lincoln County, 31-0; d. Ritchie County, 9-8
Wirt County (3-0) results: d. Gilmer County, 32-0; d. Webster County, 76-6; d. Tyler Consolidated, 40-18
Key Doddridge County players: WR/DB Seth Richards, P/K DJ Devinney, QB/DB Jared Jones
Key Wirt County players: WR/LB Kolton Parsons, RB/LB Garrett Parsons, C/DL Grady McFee
Keys to victory: Hopefully, the Tigers are up for this one.
It is a big one.
Huge, even.
Their matchup with 2019 Class A state runner-up Doddridge County easily is the biggest game in the program's history in the last four years. A win here against the Bulldogs sets the tone for what could become an undefeated campaign given Wirt County's potency on defense.
They face a Doddridge squad emotionally drained after a last minute-and-a-half win over rival Ritchie County. Offensively, the Bulldogs were held to just nine points in their second lowest scoring effort of the last three years. DJ Devinney's late kick barely sent their regular-season winning streak to 32 games. In other words, Bobby Burnside's squad will be hungry to get back on the track they had established in their first three wins, where they won comfortably.
It may not happen given Wirt County's defense being up to the task so far this season. That combined with the Tigers' offense means another fully capable opponent on the slate for the green and gold.
As both team's have multiple weapons to score, this game could come down to who has the ball last. If this is the case, the Bulldogs could feel more comfortable sending out Devinney for a game-winning kick than Wirt County feels in sending out Shelby Simonton. Devinney's game-winning kick last week surely has his confidence high. Simonton, meanwhile, would be put in the position for a big kick for the first time in her career.
A win for the Tigers not only does wonders for their confidence, which they need with games left against Ritchie County and St. Marys, but it moves Wirt to 4-0.
FRONTIER
AT GILMER COUNTY
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Did not play
Frontier (4-1) results: d. Southern, 42-6; d. Beallsville, 66-8; d. Bridgeport (Ohio), 50-6; d. Cameron, 44-18; lost to Magnolia, 40-8
Gilmer County (2-2) results: d. Webster County, 53-6; lost to Wirt County, 32-0; d. Wahama, 40-24; lost to Tygarts Valley, 44-21
Key Frontier players: WR/DB Tanner Bills, RB/LB Noah Barnhart, QB/LB J.D. Schmidt
Key Gilmer County players: QB/LB Ean Hamric, OL/LB Alex Conrad, WR/DB Elijah Facemire
Keys to victory: Frontier comes into this game off a relatively shocking loss given Magnolia's past struggles in the last two years. Gilmer County isn't thrilled with its performance against Tygarts Valley, either.
The two finding winning ways in the game leading up to both contests left a higher level of disappointment. But, either or both can leave this game with a bit more confidence this week.
Should Gilmer County shut down the running duo of Slade Amos and Noah Barnhart, it picks up a major win and boost in confidence in its quest to end a string of 3-7 seasons. Should Frontier grab a win over Gilmer County, the Cougars grabs back the confidence likely on a little lower level after such a shaky setback against the Blue Eagles.
Gilmer quarterback Ean Hamric and company likely won't make that easy. Though the Titans defense will have their hands full, the Titans offense has shown itself capable of putting points on the board. If both running games are shut down, Hamric and counterpart JD Schmidt's arms will be crucial to either team's fates.
MARIETTA AT RIPLEY
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Marietta 21, Ripley 14
Marietta (2-3) results: lost to Warren, 28-6; lost to Williamstown, 34-28; d. Athens, 24-20; lost to PHS, 34-20; d. Weir, 36-34
Ripley (2-1) results: d. Buckhannon-Upshur, 42-0; d. Lincoln County, 21-7; lost to Lewis County, 29-13
Key Marietta players: WR/DB Tony Munos, QB/DB Reece Gerber, OL/DL Carson Urban
Key Ripley players: RB/LB Kadin Hill, OL/DL Quinton Joyner, OL/DL Matt Moore
Keys to victory: Stop Tony Munos.
This tidbit of advice is the No. 1 priority for the Ripley Vikings if they hope to rebound from a 16-point loss. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If the wide receiver runs wild and does his usual thing with quarterback Reece Gerber, Steve Sayre's group faces even more of an uphill battle and likely a second straight loss.
This is because the visiting Tigers won't blink one time at facing a W.Va. Class AAA foe. Jason Schob's team comes into this game having grown from tight contests with bigger or same sized schools in Warren, Athens, PHS and Weir. So, no size disadvantage or perceived underdog role fazes them in the slightest.
On the flip side, the Tigers must be ready to stop Kadin Hill and Ripley's running game. Sayre and company enjoy bleeding the clock with high play-count drives.
MAGNOLIA
AT MONROE CENTRAL
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Monroe Central d. Magnolia, 51-13
Magnolia (1-3) results: lost to Ritchie, 26-0; lost to Shadyside, 50-20; lost to River, 47-14; d. Frontier, 40-8
Monroe Central (2-3) results: d. Union Local, 26-22; d. Bridgeport, 41-8; lost to River, 28-6; lost to Caldwell, 36-33; lost to Buckeye Local, 32-14
Key Magnolia players: RB Marcus Barnes; RB Jason Biesel; DB Kaden Johnson
Key Monroe Central players: QB Malachi Rose-Burton; OL/DL Garet Cramer; RB Alex Kilburn
Keys to victory: Magnolia showed how dangerous it can be last week against Frontier, its first win of the season.
The rushing attack, led by Marcus Barnes and Jasom Biesel, is capable of gashing defenses, so look for Monroe Central to put an emphasis on stopping the run.
The Seminoles are capable of putting up points as well, and are led by quarterback Malachi Rose-Burton.
This could be a high-scoring contest.
TYLER CONSOL.
AT BUFFALO
Last year's result: Tyler Consolidated 28, Buffalo 14
TCHS (2-2) results: lost to Doddridge County 40-0, d. South Harrison 34-6, d. Calhoun County 42-6, lost to Wirt County 40-18
BHS (1-0) results: d. Ravenswood 21-6
TCHS key players: RB/LB Trenton Huffman, WR/DB David Throckmorton
BHS key players: RB Chase Lovejoy, QB Jackson England
Keys to victory: Both teams need to establish their potent rushing games. In a season anything but ordinary, Buffalo is only playing its second game of the year. RB Chase Lovejoy ran for 131 yards in his team's season debut against Ravenswood, and TCHS head coach Ryan Walton's defense needs to key in on that kind of speed. Trenton Huffman, David Throckmorton and the rest of the Knights offense needs to rebound after putting up 18 in last week's loss against Wirt County.
Ravenswood at Ritchie County
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Ritchie 41, Ravenswood 13
Ravenswood (0-4) results: lost to Buffalo, 21-6; lost to Williamstown, 61-7; lost to Roane, 32-0; lost to Summers, 27-7
Ritchie (2-2) results: d. Magnolia, 26-0; d. Wahama, 35-6; lost to St. Marys, 34-26; lost to Doddridge, 9-8
Key Ravenswood players: QB Ben Queen, RB Isaiah Casto, WR Shawn Banks
Key Ritchie players: QB Ethan Haught, RB Gus Morrison, DE Dakota Wayne
Keys to victory: This appears to be a tough contest as Ravenswood is set to invade Chuck Schofield Memorial Stadium looking for its first win.
The Red Devils have scored three touchdowns in four affairs while the Rebels enter the fray having suffered back-to-back losses for the first time under third-year head man Rick Haught.
Ritchie County, which almost knocked off Doddridge County last week, just needs to take care of business to get to 3-2 and then focus on the second half of the schedule.
Clay-Battelle at Calhoun County
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Clay-Battelle 21, Calhoun 14
Clay-Battelle (0-0) results: Have not played due to coronavirus statewide restrictions.
Calhoun (0-4) results: lost to Valley (Wetzel), 33-26; lost to Doddridge, 47-0; lost to Tyler, 42-6; lost to St. Marys, 60-8
Key Clay-Battelle players: QB Cooper Watson, QB Carson Shriver, RB Daniel Gorbey
Key Calhoun players: QB Ian Persinger, RB Grant Sterns, RB Levi Richards
Keys to victory: Finally, Clay-Battelle head coach Ryan Wilson and his team will get the chance to play a football game.
The Cee Bees, who lead the overall series with Calhoun 3-0, lost a lot to graduation from a year ago but in the preseason were expected to rotate quarterbacks.
Calhoun head man Johnny Persinger is still looking for his first win. The Red Devils must be opportunistic and find some consistency on offense after putting up just 14 points the last three games.
North Marion at Roane County
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year's result: Did not meet.
North Marion (3-1) results: d. Preston, 32-0; lost to Fairmont Senior, 41-21; d. Elkins, 33-15; d. Lincoln, 41-20
Roane (1-3) results: lost to Lincoln County, 33-14; lost to Clay, 16-14; d. Ravenswood, 32-0; lost to Braxton, 42-0
Key North Marion players: QB Brody Hall, WR Tariq Miller, RB Hunter Kuhn
Key Roane players: QB Layne Epling, RB Austin Hawkins, LB Claude Bauer
Keys to victory: Roane County was unable to win back-to-back games last week after not being able to get anything going offensively during a shutout loss at Braxton.
Earning win number two of the campaign inside County Stadium won't be easy as North Marion is thinking playoffs and seeks a 4-1 start.
The Raiders will need to play turnover free football and figure out a way to sustain long drives.
WARREN
AT FAIRFIELD UNION
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year's results: did not meet
Warren (4-1) results: d. Marietta, 28-6; lost to Fort Frye, 27-20; d. Logan, 28-14; d. Meigs, 41-0; d. Union Local, 35-0
Fairfield Union (0-5) results: lost to Amanda-Clearcreek, 35-7; lost to Teays Valley, 42-13; lost to Hamilton Township, 42-13; lost to Logan Elm, 34-14; lost to Bloom-Carroll, 36-7
Key Warren players: WR/K Joel Chevalier; TE/LB Josh Welch; LB Hunter Vincent
Key Fairfield Union players: RB Nate Schmelzer; QB Blayde Patton; RB Isaac Daugherty
Keys to victory: This matchup pits a team that hasn't scored much against a team that hasn't allowed many points.
Warren's has pitched back-to-back shutouts and has allowed 14 points or less in four of its five games. Fairfield Union has yet to score more than 14 points in a game this season.
Give Warren the edge in this one.
SOUTHEN
AT EASTERN
Last year's result: Eastern 63, Southern 6
Southern (1-4) results: lost to Frontier 42-6, lost to Belpre 27-6, lost to Waterford 59-6, lost to Trimble 57-0, d. South Gallia 32-6
Eastern (3-2) results: lost to Caldwell 34-20, lost to Trimble 75-3, d. South Gallia 42-8, d. Waterford 10-8, d. Belpre 34-7
Southern key players: QB/SS Chase Bailey, OLB/WR Josh Stansberry
Eastern key players: RB Blake Newland, RB Steve Fitzgerald
Keys to victory: Eastern enters this game with a 3-game win streak and a home playoff game on the line. The duo of Blake Newland and Steve Fitzgerald ran all over the Belpre Tigers, and that's the game plan for this rivalry game.
A combined 57 rushing attempts between all EHS ball carriers in the Belpre win is indicative of what this offense does best.
Southern snapped its 4-game skid with a win over South Gallia. QB Chase Bailey (two rushing touchdowns) and speedster Josh Stansberry (one rushing touchdown) marched up and down the field for the Tornadoes, and it'll take big performance from each of them to pull off an upset.