(Note from the Managing Editor: This article is the third and final article that previews the second round of the West Virginia high school playoffs. The final six teams, of course, will battle for titles at Wheeling Island Stadium.)
Two years ago, Wheeling Central finished the regular season with a 6-4 record, earned a No. 10 seed and “upset” its way to its first championship since 2011. Two seasons and two titles later, the Maroon Knights (7-4) are in nearly the same spot, hitting the road again as the 10-seed.
Central is also looking to three-peat and earn its 11th championship (17th overall counting the Catholic League). A big question is whether or not the unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Doddridge County, (Hunter) America’s team, will have enough firepower to avenge a semifinal loss in 2018 to get closer to a chance to dethrone the champs.
America leads the way with nearly 1,800 yards rushing in 11 games. He also gave the home crowd a scare against Madonna, coming up limping in the second quarter and not returning to the game. Reports are his exclusion from the second half was cautionary and he will be ready to roll come kickoff Saturday.
Second-seed Ritchie County has run roughshod through its schedule, losing only a 27-18 nail-biter against Doddridge. The only other close game was a 20-13 win against Wirt County. Otherwise, the backfield tandem of Tre Moss (1,455 yards in the regular season) and Garrett Owens (786) have proven difficult to stop.
The No. 3 Wildcats from Pendleton County won their first home playoff game in avenging their only loss of the regular season. Led by dual-threat QB Isaiah Gardiner, Pendelton owns a win against No. 8 East Hardy.
Pendelton has never reached the title game, losing in the semifinals both in 1998 and 2016. The same can be said for Ritchie County and East Hardy. Doddridge County tasted title-game defeat in 1978 and hasn’t been back since. East Hardy lost twice on the Island in 2015 and 2016, and Greenbrier West collected the same record with defeats in 1991 and 2013.
Only No. 6 St. Marys, which was victorious in 2016, and Williamstown in 2008 and 2014, have joined Central in hoisting the championship trophy after Week 15.
Class AA
No. 8 East Hardy (8-3) at No. 1 Doddridge County (11-0), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
How they got here: East Hardy beat Midland Trail 12-7, winning eight of its last nine games after an 0-2 start. The lone loss since is a 7-6 setback against Pendleton County. Doddridge has run roughshod through Class A behind the running of Hunter America. The offense averages 43.2 ppg. and the defensive is giving up just 6.6. Doddridge has beaten playoff participants South Harrison, Ritchie County, Williamstown and Tygarts Valley. The Bulldogs are coming off a 57-7 dispatching of Madonna.
No. 5 Williamstown (9-2) at No. 4 Greenbrier West (10-1), Friday at 7:30 p.m.
How they got here: Williamstown took care of Tug Valley, 42-0. The Yellowjackets opened the regular season with a loss to Central and closed it with a loss to Doddridge, ripping off eight wins in between. Greenbrier West took care of Tygarts Valley 52-13 and its only loss is to Class AA James Monroe (6-4). Williamstown lost to Central is last year’s title game.
No. 10 Wheeling Central (7-4) at No. 2 Ritchie County (10-1), Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
How they got here: A last-second Jacob Rine to Jaylen Creighton connection propelled Central past Tolsia, 13-12. Central’s defense is led by two-time Huff Award winner Adam Murray. Ritchie County defeated South Harrison 40-6 and comes in averaging 43 points per game. The Rebels beat South Harrison twice, along with St. Marys. The Knights had success in shutting down one Rebels’ rushing attack. Can they do it for a second-straight week?
No. 6 St. Marys (8-2) at No 3 Pendleton County (10-1), Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
How they got here: St. Marys took care of visiting Cameron, 51-28. The Blue Devils have a win against South Harrison. Pendleton County took care of Moorefield 26-7 to advance to the quarterfinal round, avenging a 35-0 loss at the Yellow Jackets a few weeks ago. Pendleton has also beat Tygarts Valley.
Related Content: W.Va. Playoff Preview – Class AA
