Week 1 of the playoffs should have been the week the Kennedy Award frontrunners truly separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
And in a way, that did happen.
Musselman’s Blake Hartman ripped off a ridiculous effort in a blowout of Morgantown which we’ll cover here in a moment. Oak Glen’s Hunter Patterson and Fairmont Senior’s Gage Michael also turned in dominant performances.
But two of my “top five” from last week’s story were idle, and they weren’t alone.
Of the 11 listed candidates, only five actually took the field. But injuries weren’t the problem Any guesses as to the culprit? Need more than one try?
To no one’s surprise, the COVID map wreaked havoc on the first round of the playoffs. Two teams—Frankfort and Keyser from Mineral County—forfeited before the Saturday map even came out.
All told, five teams in AAA were forced to forfeit; three in AA, four in AA. In that rash of cancellations ends the candidacy of two—newcomer to the list Beau Heller from Wheeling Park and reigning Kennedy Award winner Ethan Payne of Poca—saw their seasons come to an end.
Four others, Cabell Midland’s Jakob Caudill, South Charleston Trey Dunn, Spring Mills’ Keon Padmore-Johnson, and Independence’s Atticus Goodson all advanced via forfeit.
Far from the most exciting first round, Kennedy Award-wise, but there were some great story lines emanating from the games actually played. We’ll detail those more this week in the class previews.
But for now, let’s talk the Mountain State’s Heisman equivalent.
Record-Breaking Run
As previously eluded to, Hartman had a huge day against the Mohigans. He rushed for 286 yards on 29 carries, good for 9.9 per carry.
His second touchdown of the game broke the state scoring record. He needed 10 points total to break that mark entering the game. Two touches, two touchdowns rushing—14 points, check.
Hartman also entered the game needing eight touchdowns to secure the career touchdowns mark statewide. He didn’t get eight this game.
He got seven.
Hartman totaled five rushing touchdowns in the first half to go with a punt return for six. He tacked on a final rushing score in the second half before retiring to the sidelines.
He now has 1,702 yards in eight games, nearly 213 yards per game. Next up is a meeting with No. 6 Spring Valley and the Timberwolves giant launch and tough defense.
If Hartman can remotely replicate that performance, the race should all be locked up.
Some of AA’s Finest
By Hunter Patterson’s standards, he did receive a few more touches than normal in Oak Glen’s 42-0 dismantling of Point Pleasant.
Patterson had eight carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns (60- and 36-yard varieties). He caught three passes for 107 yards, including a 75-yard TD reception.
For those keeping track, that’s an average of nearly 22 yards per touch which is par for the course for Patterson.
Head coach Ted Arneault likes to take out the show pony and show what he can do, but he doesn’t try to overwork him. That plan is made easier by the Golden Bears bevy of weapons like Gage Patterson, Paxton Shuman, and Nick Chaney.
Next up will be a bigger challenge in Herbert Hoover, who upset No. 4 Liberty (R), giving the Bears another home game. Elkins’ upset of No. 1 Sissonville ensures Oak Glen of successive home games until the Super Six, should they advance that far.
Some of AA’s Finest—Part II
Fairmont Senior withstood a solid opening punch from Braxton County, going score for score with the Eagles early. But the No. 6 Polar Bears, and Michael in particular, were not having it.
Hartman wasn’t the only player responsible for seven scores. Michael did his damage on the ground and in the air, as he’s wont to do. He threw three touchdowns, but it was his rushing, which accounted for 212 yards on 10 carries (21.2 ypg) and four touchdowns, that did the most damage.
Fairmont led only 20-14 after the first before Michael went off with four total second quarter touchdowns.
Now, the Polar Bears will host the Independence Patriots, a forfeit winner against No. 3 Frankfort.
The Pats’ main offensive weapon is the running of Atticus Goodson, a fellow top-five candidate, and he’s over the 1,506 yards and 24 touchdowns club.
Provided the map cooperates of course, it should be a great showdown.
Potentially Costly Victory—Part I
First Clay County was set to play Bluefield; then it was called off for COVID; then it wasn’t. Clay and Bluefield wound up being the ONLY game played on Sunday after a swathe of cancellations.
Once kickoff commenced, the Beavers’ offense, led by Deeb, went to work going over, atop, and through the Panthers’ defense.
Deeb eclipsed 100 yards early in throwing for a pair of scores but left in the second quarter with an injury.
Bluefield has plenty of horses, but no Deeb against North Marion will make that game a heck of a lot more interesting.
Potentially Costly Victory—Part II
Greenbrier West made quick work of Madonna in a 58-0 victory. In fact, the Blue Dons didn’t reach positive yardage offensively until late in the third quarter.
Noah Brown had a rushing touchdown early, but left in the second quarter with a lower leg injury. Later reports revealed it’s looking more like a sprain than a break.
That’s good news for the Cavaliers, provided they can get past Ritchie County without him. Brown isn’t suiting up for the quarterfinal matchup.
Other Notables
Dante Ramirez, Elkins: Making the most of his first and only season of West Virginia high school football, Ramirez totaled three touchdowns rushing and one kickoff return as Elkins won its first playoff game in school history by upsetting No. 1 Sissonville.
Cam Cole, Bridgeport: Indians QB ran for 195 yards and four touchdowns on just seven carries while passing for 96 yards and a score on 3 of 4 passing. Bridgeport made quick work of Washington in the 55-7 victory. The Indians now get the ultimate test, a meeting with Class AAA bell cow Martinsburg at Martinsburg.
Naieem Kearney, Martinsburg: The Bulldogs’ talented senior combined for nearly 200 yards rushing and receiving, including a pair of lengthy scores as the Bulldogs began the quest for five-in-a-row with a 62-0 whitewashing of George Washington.
