WEST UNION — It is easier than ever for Doddridge County head coach Bobby Burnside to say a lot of the Class A first-round playoff matchups look like they could be second-round matchups. He would know as his Bulldogs have made two straight deep runs into the postseason, and hope to begin another one on Saturday.

Plus, they are playing in one of those games.

“This match up is kind of a crazy first round match up,” Burnside said.

He’s not wrong.

When East Hardy arrives to face the Bulldogs in a 1:30 p.m. match up at Cline Stansberry Stadium, the rematch of a second-round game from one year ago will commence in earnest. Of course, Doddridge County won this 2019 edition, 21-6, after forcing seven turnovers, then went on to play for a state championship.

So, it is unlikely the visiting Cougars will be anything but eager to assert themsevles.

“I think it is going to be a battle. ” Burnside said when asked about the match up. “It was a battle last year and they return a lot of that squad.”

Topping the list of returners is quarterback Christian Dove. The senior, who helped lead his group to a 5-2 record, presents a lot of problems for the Bulldogs’ defense according to their head coach.

“They have an extremely good athlete at quarterback. He extends plays and is shifty and quick,” he said.

Around him, East Hardy head coach Devon Orndoff has constructed a cache of weapons for him to utilize. Wide receiver Andrew Tharp, tight end Brayden Ritchie, and running back Alex Miller all have the big play capability able to give the Bulldogs fits. Whether they make the large-yardage pickups or not falls to the responsibility of returning first-team all-state defensive back Hunter Jenkins and likely 2020 all-state selections in linebacker Dylan Knight and defensive lineman Adam Burnside.

Jenkins likely will get the matchup on Tharp and will be jumping at the chance to defend him. He enters the game just one interception away from the school record. And he has had good success reading East Hardy quarterbacks in the past. He picked off three passes from Dove and Mason Miller last season. Should he show the same prowess on Saturday, it could lead to Tharp being moved to different positions in the formations, or force the Cougars to go away from their No. 1 target.

Dove may not have a lot of time to find his go-to man if this happens. As Adam Burnside has found his way to the quarterback five different times behind the line of scrimmage and generally caused problems in opposing backfields all season long, the Cougar could be facing down constant pressure.

But, the offense isn’t the only area of strength from the Cougars. A defense, which has been tested by Shadyside, Ohio and Pendleton County, presents just as many problems for the Bulldogs. “We have to try to find a way to move the ball on a stingy defense that has been stout for them for a couple of years now,” he said.

Not many teams have been able to do that, either.

In fact, the only teams able to score more than once came in East Hardy’s losses. Shadyside tallied 21 points and Pendleton scored 14. Then again, not many other teams have the scoring options the Bulldog’s possess. Multiple players have scored multiple touchdowns for the Bulldogs this season. Leading the way is Reese Burnside with his 13 scores. Two of which came last week againt Tygarts Valley on a run of 27 yards and a pass reception of 35 yards.

“We are going to have to play a very good football game,” the elder Burnside said. “For us it is going to be the same keys as always, we need to have a really strong week of practice and go out there and not turn the ball over and get our ground game going.”