With Kennedy Award frontrunner Trey Dunn and the South Charleston Black Eagles off last week, it allowed another candidate to push his name back to the forefront.
The question was who would be the one doing the stepping. That answer came from a likely spot, albeit one that’s remained quiet the last few weeks.
Independence running back Atticus Goodson has seemingly been on the shelf the last two weeks; once for a bye, the other because of a COVID postponement in an anticipated showdown with unbeaten Poca.
Having not played in a live game since Week 1, Goodson and his Patriots’ teammates took on rival Shady Spring and made quick work of the Tigers in a 50-17 romp.
Did Goodson make up for the lost time? Consider these stats—Goodson ran for 317 yards on 25 carries. That’s nearly 12.7 yards per carry. He also tacked on five rushing touchdowns as there was little Shady could do to slow him down.
Atticus wasn’t the only Goodson making waves against SS either. His brother Cyrus caught four passes for 11 yards and a touchdown while also returning an interception 55 yards for another score.
Not a bad night for the Goodson boys, and for the elder Goodson’s Kennedy Award candidacy. Dunn still has the lead in terms of overall stats and wins. But Goodson firmly cemented himself in the No. 2 spot after that performance.
Indy hosts Westside this week before hitting the road to face Summers County the following. Then, in a battle of the Patriots, Goodson and company hit the road to face Midland Trail.
Signature Win
Unbeaten University has looked tough this season, but the Hawks were looking for that big signature win as the season turns to the midway point.
They found it last Friday against Wheeling Park, handing the Patriots a 35-14 defeat, thanks in large part to the passing efforts of Chase Edwards.
Edwards turned in another fine performance, throwing for 247 yards on 16 of 23 passing. He added three touchdowns in the process as the Hawks remained unbeaten heading into this week’s meeting with defending Class AA champion Fairmont Senior.
Plug and Play
Martinsburg’s Braxton Todd was on his way to another fine game before he pulled up injured during the Bulldogs big 26-25 win against Highland Springs (Va.).
But quarterback Murphy Clement was more than willing to pick up the offensive slack and help lead his team to another victory, its fourth in as many tries this season.
Clement ran for 188 yards and two touchdowns on just 19 carries. He also threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to his brother.
The Clements, along with Todd, are just a few of the multitude of reasons why folks in Martinsburg are expecting another run to the Island out of this year’s club.
Seeing the success thus far, and the talent wearing the orange and black, it’s hard to argue with them.
Highlanders Keep Rolling
Following a huge win against Cabell Midland, you might expect a potential letdown from Huntington. But the Highlanders showed no signs of slowing down in dispatching George Washington.
Emerging candidate Gavin Lochow led HHS to victory, throwing for 186 yards and two scores while rushing for 93 yards and another two in the victory.
Huntington is 4-0 heading in Friday’s meeting with Capital, one week before an anticipated showdown with Spring Valley, in Huntington, the following week.
Other Top Performances
Jason Fetty, Mason Moran, Chandler Schmidt, Cabell Midland: The Knights bounced back from their first loss since 2019’s state championship game against Martinsburg by trouncing Hurricane. Jackson Fetty led a major ground assault with 225 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries while teammates Mason Morgan (four carries, 118 yards, two TDs) and Chandler Schmidt (15 carries, 75 yards, three touchdowns) helped the Knights run over, around, and through the Redskins.
Robert Shockey, Cyrus Traugh, Parkersburg South: Shockey ran for 139 yards and a score and threw for 185 yards and two scores on 25 of 35 passing in a loss to rival Parkersburg. Traugh caught 15 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
Kayson Nealy, Fairmont Senior: Nealy finished with 213 receiving yards and three touchdowns while also recovering two fumbles, one which he returned for a 62-yard score in the Polar Bears narrow loss to Bridgeport.
Evan Roach, Point Pleasant: Roach rumbled for 224 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries as Point took care of Oak Glen.
