Four quarterfinal games scheduled. Four quarterfinal games played. Amazing isn’t it?
What seems like a trivial given turned into amazement last weekend as no Class AA quarterfinal games were canceled because of a map.
In fact, through two rounds, only three games fell victim—a statistic not comforting to No. 3 Frankfort, No. Keyser, nor No. 9 Poca. Those teams were eliminated by forfeit in the first round.
Otherwise, the majority of the top seeds have either advanced or met their seasons’ demise the old-fashioned way—on the field.
That brings us to the semifinal round with a pair of intriguing matchups stocked with plenty of firepower. Each team fields a preseason Kennedy Award candidate featured in LedeNews’ Kennedy Watch.
One fell off, but has made a huge resurgence the last few games and has his team trending in the right direction.
It should make for a great weekend of games, provided, again, that they are played.
Fingers crossed.
No. 8 Robert C. Byrd (8-2) at No. 5 Oak Glen (8-1)
Sunday at 5 p.m.
How They Got Here – Robert C. Byrd: Put an end to Elkins’ dream season with a 33-6 victory in a return bout from the regular season.
How They Got Here – Oak Glen: Totaled more than 600 yards of offense in routing Herbert Hoover, 53-26.
What to Watch For: Oak Glen is a big-play offense that can hurt a team in multiple ways offensively. It averages 45 points per game and in six games against playoff teams, went 5-1 with an average score of 39-21. The only loss was to Class AAA Wheeling Park, at Park, 28-14. The team averages 19.5 yards per reception and 8.5 yards per rush. That’s not just one player. Kennedy Candidate Hunter Patterson himself averages 24 and 16.4, respectively, in those categories. And he’s far from the team’s only weapon. RCB is similarly built. The rushing of career leader Jeremiah King gets the Eagles’ offense started. But RCB, like Oak Glen, is balanced offensive with the passing of Xavier Lopez. Against Elkins, the Eagles’ defense flexed its muscles, holding the Tigers to 88 yards on 39 carries.
Outlook: Barring an injury, Patterson should eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in both rushing and receiving yards in what will be Oak Glen’s 10th game. The question mark for Oak Glen is the effect the loss of Paxton Shuman will have in this game. Shuman is a bruising fullback and the team’s second-leading rusher. But it’s his play along the defensive line that will be most missed this game. Make no mistake, this is the best offense Oak Glen has faced likely since the loss to Park. Oak Glen is looking to make it to a state title game for the first time in football. I don’t think it will be denied. Not on the field.
Prediction: Oak Glen 42-28.
Map Problems: Many. Hancock County is slowing trending downward, but started the week in orange and Monday’s percent positivity was still 6.23. Oak Glen may see its championship dreams die at the hands of a map.
No. 6 Fairmont Senior (9-2) at No. 2 Bluefield (7-1)
Saturday at 4 p.m.
How They Got Here – Fairmont Senior: Pulled away in a decisive third quarter to beat Independence, 43-15.
How They Got Here – Bluefield: Took down North Marion, 33-10,
What to Watch For: This will be the fourth-straight postseason Bluefield and Fairmont Senior meet. The Beavers won the first meeting in the 2017 championship game, the Polar Bears the second in the 2018 title game. Last season, it was a semifinal matchup at East-West Stadium that saw Bluefield knock off No. 1 Fairmont Senior 40-24. This season, the roles are reversed, and Bluefield is the higher-seeded team hosting. Though, is it the favorite? Fairmont Senior’s Gage Michael is a difference-maker. He just surpassed the 8,000-yard mark for his career. No other Polar Bears’ great, and there are many, can make such a claim. Kieshawn Cottingham gives the Bears a legit rushing and receiving threat out of the backfield and the two benefit from a sizable, physical line. Bluefield is not without talent, headline by Kennedy Candidate Carson Deeb. The Beavers’ QB has 1,687 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He’s not the runner Michael is, but doesn’t need to be. Bluefield has a pair of capable ballcarriers in Jaeon Flack and Shawn Mitchell.
Outlook: Aside from the loss at Parkesburg, Bluefield has looked great all season and its defense has really shined the last few weeks. But not sure they are ready for this type of offensive firepower. Speed is aplenty for Fairmont and it starts with its quarterback, who also is a top-notch safety, kick returner, headhunter on punts, etc. Fairmont has the defensive line to corral the run and the secondary to make Deeb’s night difficult. It’s not often head coach Fred Simon’s Beavers are underdogs at home. But look for Fairmont to advance to set up a matchup between Class AA’s two most dynamic players.
Prediction: Fairmont Senior 28-21.
Map Problems: None, as surprising as it seems. Mercer County is in yellow while Marion County is still green.
