Friday night commences the countdown towards the end of the season with four weeks left until the playoffs begin. James Monroe and Independence are amongst the area teams that have vaulted their way to the top of the pack while others are battling for position in a crowded field.
This week features a slate of games sure to impact postseason picture.
Class AAA Rumble
Princeton and Beckley are amongst the area teams sliding in the playoff ratings after losses last week. Beckley slotted at No. 14 when the ratings were released following a loss to Huntington while Princeton is battling a two-game slide, sitting outside the playoff picture at No. 17. Needless to say this game carries a lot of playoff implications, probably even more so for Princeton.
The Tigers still have daunting matchups with No. 7 Bridgeport and No. 2 Parkersburg South on the horizon. Beckley’s matchups with Oak Hill and George Washington are challenging, but more manageable. For all intents and purposes, the playoffs start now for the Tigers.
Leading the way for Princeton is a dynamic QB-WR duo in Grant Cochran and Dominick Collins, a contrast from Beckley’s style of play. Relying on an air raid oriented offense, the Tigers don’t run the ball as much, though the pass has been effective. Cochran has thrown for 1,022 yards and 12 touchdowns, nine of which have found the mitts of Collins. Freshman Brad Mossor has been Cochran’s second favorite target with 17 catches for 192 yards.
Beckley meanwhile has been full ground and pound. Matt Moore and Darmonte Mitchell have both rushed for over 500 yards to pace the Flying Eagles with Tylai Kimble, Nate Grayton and Jay Jones all above 200 yards each. It’s made the Flying Eagles difficult to defend in their wing-T offense. Fortunately for the Tigers it won’t be their first rodeo with that style of play. Oak Hill also ran a wing-T against Princeton earlier in the year, a game won by the Tigers. Princeton won this matchup last year 21-14 with a Collins pick six serving as the winning score.
Fortifying position
When the latest playoff ratings were unveiled, James Monroe benefitted more than anybody with a jump all the way to No. 3 in the Class A ratings. The Mavericks will take their new status on the road to Hico to face a Midland Trail team that’s on the outside looking in. The Patriots have played a challenging schedule thus far, rolling in with a 5-2 record but the landscape in Class A isn’t forgiving this season. Nine of the top 11 teams are undefeated with only one two-loss team inside the top 16.
The challenge at hand – figure out how to beat a James Monroe team that’s steamrolled opponents with dominant showings on offense and defense. The Mavericks have pitched four shutouts this season while averaging 31.8 points per game on offense. James Monroe QB Layton Dowdy is second in the area with 14 touchdown passes with Eli Allen (14-279-7) being his top target. Allen has also been a menace on defense, intercepting a pair of passes in a 27-0 win over Greenbrier West.
Trail has it’s own potent offense, led by the area’s leading receiving in Cody Harrell (37-698-7). Jaden Gladwell has been a capable QB, orchestrating the offense with over 1,000 yards as a passer and 13 touchdown passes to boot. Protecting the football will be key for the QB.
Climbing the ladder
Independence, Oak Hill, Nicholas County, Montcalm and Summers County are amongst the area teams in the top 16 of the playoff ratings or on the precipice of it. After a week off, Indy hits the road to take on a stout Man team that’s held its own against Class AA opponents this season, beating Shady Spring last week. At worst it gives the Patriots an opportunity to play in a tough road environment, something that could be useful come playoff time if the Patriots can’t secure home field.
Oak Hill travels to Buckhannon-Upshur after notching a win against Greenbrier East. The Red Devils sit at No. 18 but control their own destiny with a game against Beckley on the horizon as well. A win up north would aid Oak Hill’s postseason hopes.
Nicholas County, slotted at No. 7 in AA, hosts Westside with a pair of difficult matchups on the horizon. Grizzlies running back Kaleb Clark sits at 973 rushing yards with an opportunity to blow past the 1,000-yard mark. Westside has done some good things in its first year under head coach Justin Cogar, but topping Nicholas County will be a difficult task. The Grizzlies can’t let their guard down either. Matchups with James Monroe and Independence loom in the distance.
Montcalm continues to build on a historic season, rolling into Friday’s matchup with River View at 6-0. The Generals have never beaten River View so a win would just be another historic feat in a season full of them.
Summers County is rated No. 23 in Class A, coming off a dominant win against Sherman. Up next is a road matchup at Meadow Bridge. The Wildcats are coming off a win against Webster County, thus presenting Summers with an opportunity to earn a bonus point. If there’s any hope of making the postseason Summers likely needs to win out with a crowded Class A field.
Other games in the area feature Tazewell, Va. at Bluefield, Ripley at Greenbrier East, Logan at Liberty, Madonna at Richwood, Shady Spring at Mingo Central and Wyoming East at Point Pleasant.
