No. 16 Tygarts Valley (7-2) at No. 8 Pendleton County (6-2)
Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
How They Got Here – Tygarts Valley: Mingo County went Red, so the Tug Valley Panthers, who only managed to get in three games all season, stayed home.
How They Got Here – Pendelton County: knocked off Moorefield in the postseason for the second year in a row, this time by a 14-7 margin.
What to Watch For: Wildcats managed 14 points against a stingy Moorefield defense. Isaiah Gardner ran for a TD, threw another and made a key late interception to foil the Yellow Jackets. Tygarts has lost two of its last four, including the regular season-ending blowout to Doddridge County, 49-12.
Outlook: Gardner is a top-notch quarterback that few outside of the Franklin area hear about. He has a quality arm, directs an extremely balanced offense and has the experience/savvy of a four-year letterman. Bulldogs have faced two playoffs teams all season and lost to both. Look for the Wildcats to move on.
Prediction: Pendleton County 28-14.
Map Problems: Plenty. Randolph County started the week in orange, and the Wednesday updated map has it in the red. Not looking good for Tygarts. Pendleton County is in the green.
No. 7 Ritchie County (9-2) at No. 2 Greenbrier West (9-0)
Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
How They Got Here – Ritchie County: Squeezed out a 16-7 win against Wirt County.
How They Got Here – Greenbrier West: Shut down Madonna 58-0, holding the state’s leader in passing touchdowns and the Blue Dons’ offense scoreless.
What to Watch For: Can the Cavaliers win again with Kennedy Award candidate Noah Brown. Brown left the Madonna game in the second quarter, with the rushing of Cole McClung (134 yards) and passing of Kaiden Pack (119 yards, three TDs) picking up the slack. Ritchie’s defense is a bit more daunting. Reports indicate Brown’s injury isn’t severe and he could be available for the semifinal round. But West has to get through the Rebels first.
Outlook: Ritchie will need a big effort out of Gus Morrison (1,015 yards rushing) and another solid defensive effort to leave Charmco with a win. West will prove it has more weapons than just Brown, including a defense that’s pitched three shutouts and has two other games holding teams to single digits. Could be another lower-scoring affair, but West gets it done.
Prediction: Greenbrier West 21-13.
Map Problems: No issues here, hence the Saturday kickoff. Ritchie began the week in gold while Greenbrier County is in yellow. The present WVDE map has Ritchie yellow and Greenbrier green. There’s a good chance this is the only A game played this week.
No. 14 East Hardy (6-2) at No. 11 Tolsia (4-2)
Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
How They Got Here – East Hardy: Knocked off No. 3 Doddridge County 25-19.
How They Got Here – Tolsia: Wood County turning red saved Tolsia a 3-hour trip to Williamstown.
What to Watch For: The big thing to watch for here sadly is the map. But, if the game is to be played, keep an eye on the Christian Dove to Dawson Price connection, one that resulted in three scoring hook-ups against a tough Doddridge County defense. Tolsia has its own balanced attack, albeit one that’s been on the sidelines for a while.
Outlook: East Hardy appears to be clicking after the big win at Doddridge. The Rebels haven’t played an actual game since a 28-12 win against Mount View on October 23. How will that near-month layoff affect Tolsia? Honestly, it’s not looking like this game gets played, but if so, I’m taking the Cougars. They’ve been impressive on more than one occasion season, and a win sets up a great game with either Greenbrier West or Ritchie County.
Prediction: East Hardy 35-21.
Map Problems: Extremely problematic. Both teams began the week in orange. The current WDVE map has Hardy County in red and Wayne County in orange. If neither team improves, the game will be ruled a no contest, and the winner of GB West and Ritchie County gets a free pass to the Island.
No. 5 Midland Trail (4-1) at No. 4 St. Marys (8-1)
Sunday at 3 p.m.
How They Got Here – Midland Trail: Putnam County’s orange rating left Buffalo unable to play, allowing Trail to advance.
How They Got Here – St. Marys: Ohio County’s orange rating meant three-time defending champion Wheeling Central was eliminated by a map.
What to Watch For: Expect a heavy dose of Tre Moss and Brennan Boron, sprinkled with some passing from the Blue Devils. The Patriots equally have balance with QB Christopher Vines and back Robert Ruffner.
Outlook: St. Marys defense may be the key here. In nine games, the Devils yielded double digits in points only three times—still winning two of those. The hosts schedule was more challenging and should pay dividends here.
Prediction: St. Marys 21-7.
Map Problems: Another possibility of a forfeit here as Fayette County started the week in orange, and it’s still there per the WDVE map. Pleasants County started in gold and is now listed in Yellow.
