MADISON – Two weeks remain in the high school football season and playoff spots are on the line for Boone County’s three football teams.
Scott, Sherman and Van can take a big step toward qualifying for the playoffs and if all three can qualify it will mark the first time in Boone County history that they have done so in the same season.
No. 15 Winfield (5-3) at No. 15. Scott (5-3), 7:30 p.m. Scott Field
Last Week: Winfield beat Nitro 34-0, Scott lost to Poca 26-21.
Series History: Winfield leads 19-6-0. Last Meeting: Winfield 49, Scott 0, Nov. 1, 2019.
Game Notes: Both Scott and Winfield enter the rankings ranked 15th in Class AA. The winner of this game may very well clinch a playoff berth while the loser will have to wait another week. For the Skyhawks, a playoff berth would be its first since 2014. A playoff berth for Winfield would be the first for the Generals since 2019. The stakes couldn’t be any higher. Scott has enjoyed a tremendous turnaround this season and with a young roster, a playoff berth would build momentum for next season. Scott has played AA No. 1 Poca and No. 2 Herbert Hoover tough this season.
The Skyhawks got the passing game going last week as quarterback Matt Frye threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Poca. Landon Stone caught six passes for 114 yards and Carson Brinegar hauled in six receptions for 92 yards and one score. The Skyhawks are expected to get leading receiver Jayden Sharps back from injury. Sharps, who leads the team with 18 receptions and 381 yards, has been out since being injured in the Chapmanville game on Sept. 24.
Winfield got out of the gates slow, starting the 2021 season 0-2, but has since won five-of-its-last-six games to play their way back into discussion for the playoffs. The Generals are led offensively by Tate Brown, who went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark in last week’s win over Nitro.
The Generals have won the last eight games played in the series. Scott’s last win came during the 1997 season when the Skyhawks defeated the Generals 28-14 in a game played at Scott Field on Oct. 1, 1997.
No. 14 Sherman (5-3) at Meadow Bridge (4-4), 7 p.m. Frank Arritt Stadium
Series History: Meadow Bridge leads 4-0-0. Last Meeting: Meadow Bridge won 48-20, Oct. 23, 2015
Game Notes: Sherman will hit the road with a chance to possibly lock up a playoff berth with a win at Meadow Bridge. The 14th-ranked Tide is coming off a 38-8 loss to 11th-ranked Greenbrier West and will be looking for the first-ever victory in school history over Meadow Bridge.
The Wildcats have lost four games this season and possess a challenge for the Tide through the air. Quarterback Dustin Adkins has completed 90-of-168 passes for 1,243 yards and 15 touchdowns to lead the Wildcat offense. Connor Mullins has hauled in 25 receptions for 412 yards and six touchdowns while James McClure has caught 28 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns.
Buffalo (3-4) at No. 17 Van (5-3), 7:30 p.m. Herschel Jarrell Field
Series History: Buffalo leads 19-14-0. Last Meeting: Buffalo 24, Van 21, Oct. 19, 2019.
Game Notes: Van is coming off a 36-13 victory over Hurley (Va.) Tuesday night to improve its playoff positioning, but with two games left to play the Bulldogs know there is little room for error.
The 17th-ranked Bulldogs have not qualified for the playoffs since 2018 and could take a big step toward a return to the postseason with a victory over Buffalo. A loss doesn’t necessarily eliminate the Bulldogs from postseason contention, but would dampen their chances with one game left to play at Tug Valley next week.
The Bison have played some tough competition and enter the contest with a 3-4 record. The four teams to defeat Buffalo have a combined record of 20-12. The Bison have won their last two games and could very well sneak into the playoffs with a win over Van and a win next week against Wahama.
Van will be challenged by a physical Buffalo defense that will look to slow down the Bulldog rushing attack. The Bison have won seven-of-the-last-eight games with the Bulldogs and will be looking for their sixth straight victory over the Bulldogs with a win Friday.
