The Class A playoffs mirror AAA in a lot of ways.
For one, the multiple-time defending champion was unable to defend its crown. Wheeling Central drew No. 4 St. Marys in the opening round, but Ohio County turned orange and the COVID map doubled down on cancellations, ending both Central and Wheeling Park’s season prematurely.
Despite a No. 13 seed and 6-3 record, the Maroon Knights were again favored to return to the Island. Had that game been played, No. 8 Pendleton might be hosting a playoff game instead of traveling to Saturday to Pleasants County.
That’s not to say the Blue Devils are less than deserving. They are 9-1 and own wins against playoff teams Wirt and Ritchie County, along with last week’s shootout win against No. 5 Midland Trail.
St. Marys’ one loss? That came against Williamstown, another pre-playoff favorite that, like Central, met its demise via map in the Round of 16. Also, like Ohio County, Parkersburg High joined Williamstown in the COVID derailment.
Coming to Pleasants County is the No. 8 Pendleton County Wildcats (7-2), a team that played and won both its playoff games thus far. True, that quarterfinal win was against No. 16 Tygarts Valley, a team that advanced via forfeit against No. 1 Tug Valley in the first round.
But a team can only play what is in front of it. Such is the case for Ritchie County.
The Rebels knocked off Wirt County and then upset No. 2 Greenbrier West in another shootout.
Courtesy of the COVID map, Ritchie County’s semifinal opponent is “bye.” Both East Hardy and Tolsia’s home counties started and ended the week in orange. That eliminated both teams and gave Ritchie a free pass—its first—to the Super Six.
Such is life in W.Va. this fall.
No. 8 Pendleton County (7-2) at No. 4 St. Marys (9-1)
Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
How They Got Here – Pendleton County: Made quick work of No. 16 Tygarts Valley, 41-17.
How They Got Here – St. Marys: Held on during a whirlwind of offense to beat Midland Trail, 52-49.
What to Watch For: These two met in the quarterfinal round last season with the Wildcats shutting down the Blue Devils offense in a 13-2 win at Franklin. Aside from the normal toll of graduation, what’s changed? Well, for the Blue Devils, the addition of Tre Moss makes a huge difference offensively. Against Midland, Moss accounted for 200 yards and two big scores against the Patriots. He’s the team’s leading rusher in a ground-based offense which features more than one weapon. Pendleton quarterback Isaiah Gardner has another season of seasoning under his belt. The Wildcats’ senior QB is a threat to run or pass and while the offense is normally based upon his efforts, last week vs. Tygarts, it was the Dalton Dunkle show. Dunkle ran for better than 200 yards and six, count them six, touchdowns.
Outlook: Should be a good game. A balanced attack against a primarily run-based offense. Pendleton has reeled off six-straight wins after a 1-2 start and has not allowed better than 20 points during that stretch, including to three playoff teams. St. Marys is riding high from that emotional win against Midland but do the Blue Devils have enough left in the tank for another potential shootout? This is the Wildcats third trip to the semifinal round since 2016. I don’t think they will be denied thrice.
Prediction: Pendleton County 28-21.
Map Problems: None, hence the Saturday start time. No danger of either team hitting red before Saturday, barring a ridiculous spike. Pleasants is currently yellow and is trending downward while Pendleton is a solid green.
