Doddridge County’s Aiden James (1) dives for the end zone as Wirt County’s Clayton Mills (56) forces a fumble during Saturday’s game in West Union. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

WEST UNION — In an evenly matched game between Wirt County and Doddridge County Saturday at Cline Stansberry Field, it was the Bulldogs who were able to make the big plays when they needed them.

Doddridge battled for a 28-8 win over the Tigers in the first round of the Class A playoffs. The ‘Dogs will travel to Cameron next week in the quarterfinals.

Doddridge’s defense forced five turnovers and didn’t let Wirt County finish off some its most promising drives.

“The defense, it was a little bit of bending, but they did make the plays when they had to and they’ve been outstanding,” said DCHS head coach Bobby Burnside, whose team improved to 9-2. “One of the bigger things was the way our secondary played — creating turnovers and really shutting down their passing game. They’ve got a very good quarterback and two very good receivers.”

The Bulldogs’ pass rush sacks Wirt QB Tyler Smith twice in the first three plays of the game while the secondary came down with four interceptions — three coming from Leland Goodwin.

Doddridge County’s Brysen Dixon (3) carries the ball as Wirt County’s Braden Whipkey (66) looks to make a tackle during Saturday’s game in West Union. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

“He had the game of his life,” Burnside said of the 5-foot-8 senior safety. “He had three interceptions and almost a fourth. He really played well. Amazing night for him, one I think he’ll remember forever.”

The Tigers, who finished the season 7-4, have relied on big plays in the pass game throughout the year. Doddridge made those plays hard to come by.

“We’re used to making explosive plays, and they took that away from us today,” said Wirt head coach Jason Hickman. “That was the difference in the ball game. We talked about it before we hit the field, that we were going to have to make some explosive plays. Their defense inside is solid. You can’t run in there 15 times in a drive and score touchdowns. You’ve got to hit them over the top at times, and we just weren’t able to do that today.”

Wirt’s defense matched Doddridge most of the first half, as it was nearly 0-0 at halftime. However, DCHS got into the Tigers’ red zone with a minute to go, and Landon Thomas made a great leaping catch on a tipped pass from Brysen Dixon for a 13-yard touchdown to make it 7-0 at the break.

A tackle for loss by Kolton Toler had the Bulldogs behind the sticks on the first drive of the second half, but Dixon found Thomas down the sideline for a 28-yard gain, which set up Brycen Eidel’s 2-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0.

Doddridge County’s Talyn Snyder (24) and Landon Thomas (6) combine to wrap up Wirt County’s Holden Siers (35) during Saturday’s game in West Union. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

Doddridge later got the ball back on an interception by Aiden James and drove deep into Wirt territory. Dixon completed a pass to James on fourth and short, but as James dove for the goal line, Clayton Mills laid a hit and dislodged the ball, which Smith recovered to give it back to the Tigers.

Brody Ewing, who led all ball-carriers with 142 yards on 29 carries, ran for 18 on third and 11 to keep the drive alive. Another 27-yard run by Ewing, plus a personal foul on a late hit, put the ball at the Doddridge 18. Four straight runs by Ewing got Wirt into the end zone with 9:41 remaining in the game, and Toler’s two-point run cut it to 14-8.

Doddridge drove to Wirt’s 30 on its ensuing possession, but Dixon took a deep shot which was intercepted by Isaiah Sampson, giving Wirt the ball down six.

However, on third and four from their own 11, the Tigers drew up a trick play, pitching to Ewing who looked to pass. Ewing’s deep ball was tipped and picked off by Goodwin, his third of the day, and the Bulldogs punched it in via an 11-yard touchdown run by Brandon Davis, to make it 21-8 with 3:47 left.

“I was proud of our kids’ fight and the way that they didn’t give up, didn’t quit, and just kept digging,” Hickman said. “Seven minutes to go, it was a 14-8 ballgame and we had the ball, but once we got to that point we just couldn’t make that next play to get us over the hump. And credit (Doddridge). They’re obviously a very good football team and made some plays when they needed to.”

Smith was strip-sacked on the Tigers’ next possession, and Lyric Blake, who led Doddridge with 58 yards on 16 carries, ran in for a 2-yard touchdown to cap off the scoring with 1:15 to go.

“We knew when we drew Wirt County they were a very good team,” Burnside said. “After the game, we think they’re a very good team. It was a real battle. It took all four quarters. I tip my hat to Wirt County. We knew this was probably one of the tougher first-round matchups in single-A.”

Kristian Eidel, Samuel James and Jacob Britton fueled a relentless Doddridge County pass rush, which helped take the Tigers out of their game.

“They were in their spread look, but we came after them and got a couple sacks, and I think that kind of put them into that heavy set,” Burnside said. They were in that most of the game. They found a little success running. We had a couple picks, so the combination of the two things led to the style of game that you saw.”

Dixon, who Burnside said “hit some important, timely passes,” finished 8 for 18 for 102 yards. He connected with Thomas five times for 72 yards. Brycen Eidel had 11 carries for 50 yards while Talyn Snyder added 34 yards on just five attempts.

The Bulldogs now turn their attention to the Dragons.

“I know they’re 10-1. I know they haven’t lost in West Virginia,” Burnside said. “Their only loss is to a very good Ohio team (Edison). I know this is probably one of their best Cameron teams and I think we’re going to have to be ready for another knockdown, dragout battle.”

Smith finished 10 for 16 for 75 yards and three picks for the Tigers. He was sacked four times. Porter Goodwin added to his 1,000-yard season with 53 yards on six receptions.

Hickman thought the difference in Wirt and Doddridge’s regular season schedules was a factor in Saturday’s game.

“Their schedule, they’re playing in some tough, grind-it-out kind of games,” Hickman said. “The way our schedule was this year, we played two really, really good teams and a Sherman team that we had to grind out. We just lost that game. Everybody else we just blew away. Our kids aren’t used to being in that kind of a battle. Their kids are kind of battle tested. I thought that made a big difference in the fourth quarter.”

Still, Hickman was happy with his team’s effort and what they were able to accomplish this season.

“We built off a 6-4 record the previous year and got it to 7-3,” he said. “Had a real chance to get it to 8-2. If we were able to beat Sherman, then we’re playing a different team and hosting a game. It makes a big difference. That’s what football is, man. Every game is so big, and if you lose one of those it puts you on the road playing against a team like Doddridge. But, our kids fought all year. They worked hard. This is a good group. Fun group to coach. I’ll definitely miss the seniors.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@newsandsentinel.com.