No. 16 Elkins (6-3) at No. 8 Robert C. Byrd (7-2)
Sunday at 3 p.m.
How They Got Here – Elkins: Secured first playoff win in school history with 42-27 win against No. 1 Sissonville.
How They Got Here – Robert C. Byrd: Putnam County went orange, meaning the Eagles advanced without having to face No. 9 Poca and 2019 Kennedy Award winner Ethan Payne.
What to Watch For: RCB owns a lot of quality wins this season, including a 35-12 win against Elkins. But that came in Week 1. Elkins is playing with a lot of confidence now, bolstered by its first playoff win and knocking off the unbeaten No. 1. Virginia transfer Dante Ramirez went off with four touchdowns, including a kickoff return that answered an Indians score and put the Tigers up for good. Byrd has balance, with running back Jeremiah King and senior quarterback Xavier Lopez providing balance.
Outlook: Elkins is making the most of this opportunity and will be ready come kickoff. But the Eagles are battled-tested against a more difficult schedule and will pull away in what should be a close game.
Prediction: Robert C. Byrd 28-14.
Map Problems: There is a decent possibility Byrd may advance again without stepping on the field. Randolph County began the week in Orange, hence the Sunday kickoff time. The percent positivity rate has been either orange or red the last five days and the WVDE map updated Tuesday to show Randolph in red. A COVID loss would be an awful way for the Tigers first trip to the quarterfinals to end.
No. 10 North Marion (6-3) at No. 2 Bluefield (6-1)
Friday at 7:30 p.m.
How They Got Here – North Marion: Mineral County’s color code saved North Marion a lengthy trip to take on No. 7 Keyser.
How They Got Here – Bluefield: Bluefield displayed a dominant performance all sides in dispatching No. 15 Clay County 47-6.
What to Watch For: Carson Deeb’s injury status, though given the Beavers’ overall talent level and team cohesion, it may not factor into the final score. Six of Bluefield seven wins have come against playoff teams—three of them Class AAA. They went nearly a month without playing prior to hammering the Panthers and still looked dominant, producing 450+ yards of offense and forcing five turnovers.
Outlook: Deeb went down in the second quarter but the Beavers still managed 264 and 194 passing and rushing yards, respectively. Dakota Stroupe picked off a pair of passes, including a pick six. All signs point to a Bluefield victory: better wins, better schedule, playing at Mitchell stadium and playing some of their best football of the season.
Prediction: Bluefield 35-20.
Map Problems: None. This game is getting played. Going forward, Marion County is presently green on the update WVDE map while Mercer County has been a solid yellow all week.
No. 14 Independence (5-2) at No. 6 Fairmont Senior (8-2)
Friday at 7:30 p.m.
How They Got Here – Independence: Mineral County’s map foils another playoff contender as No. 3 Frankfort was unable to host Independence.
How They Got Here – Fairmont Senior: Gage Michael went off, accounting for seven touchdowns as Fairmont rolled Braxton County after a back-and-forth start to the game.
What to Watch For: This game features two of Class AA’s top offensive weapons in Independence’s Atticus Goodson and Fairmont Senior’s Michael. Each team has its own assortment of additional weapons, but those are the names that top the marquee.
Outlook: Fairmont’s ability to strike quick either running or passing, coupled with a sizable front that’s also quick on the defensive side may spell trouble for the Patriots. The Polar Bears have faced stiff competition this season, including that home upset against Spring Valley. Indy hasn’t faced that kind of line all season. Similar to last week, Indy keeps it close early before Fairmont pull away.
Prediction: Fairmont Senior 42-28.
Map Problems: Slated for Friday, this game is getting played. Going forward both Marion and Raleigh Counties are in good to okay shape for now.
No. 13 Herbert Hoover (6-2) at No. 5 Oak Glen (7-1)
Saturday at 4 p.m.
How They Got Here – Herbert Hoover: The Huskies rallied late to defeat No. 4 Liberty (R), 34-33, allowing Oak Glen to remain at home for Round 2.
How They Got Here – Oak Glen: Golden Bears beat Point Pleasant for a second time this season, this time by a 42-0 count to advance.
What to Watch For: Herbert Hoover can obviously move the ball. The Huskies scored 34 points on Liberty, despite slogging through a six-turnover performance. Oak Glen has outscored opponents 91-7 in its last two games with it’s big-strike capable offense, bolstered by experienced seniors at the skills positions.
Outlook: Oak Glen is on a mission and Herbert Hoover is the latest roadblock, albeit far from an easy one to push through. Look for a heavy dose of Hunter Patterson, who averages 20 yards per touch and scored four touchdowns against Point Pleasant.
Prediction: Oak Glen 42-20
Map Problems: For this game? None. Kanawha and Hancock Counties started the week in good shape. However, Hancock hit orange for the first time Tuesday and Kanawha is also back in the orange. If those trends continue, it doesn’t bode well for the winner of this game advancing further.
