For many area teams Week 5 marks the halfway point of the season. Most being the key word with the bye tanking the schedule. Beckley, Greenbrier East, Meadow Bridge, Nicholas County, Oak Hill, Westside and Wyoming East are all off this week.
That makes little difference with key matchups on the docket this week.
Bluefield (1-3) at Independence (3-1)
The records matter little here. These are two of the eight best teams in Class AA, ones that have forged a strong rivalry over the last three years.
It began with the 2021 Class AA semifinals, a game Independence won 34-20 after trailing 20-7 in the first half. The two teams met again in the following regular season and playoffs. Indy also took that 2022 first-round matchup 20-12 but it proved to be the closest game Independence played.
Bluefield got some revenge last year with 43-21 victory but ultimately missed the playoffs. The loss was a turning point for Indy which won six straight on its way to the state semifinals.
So what does the latest installation of this rivalry look like?
It’s anybody’s guess.
Both teams are starting freshmen QBs. Brock Green (31-60-570-4TDs-3INTs) leads Independence while Max Simpson (28-54-459-3TDs-2INTs) leads Bluefield. Both have been battletested against grueling schedules through the first four weeks of the season with varying degrees of success.
Aside from the rookie QBs, neither team is exactly healthy. Independence will likely be playing four freshmen along the offensive line while Bluefield could be without starting left tackle Jaden Francisco, a two-way player who earned all-state honors a year ago. If Francisco is out, he’ll join defensive back/running back Jeff King who suffered a hairline fracture and will likely be out until at least Week 8.
Rookie QBs and banged up offensive lines mean two things – mistakes and blitzes. Expect both teams to put the pressure on with blitzes and stunts in an effort to take advantage of those situations and help generate turnovers.
One notable advantage – Independence has the area’s leading rusher in Sylas Nelson (97-609-7). Bluefield has yet to establish a sustainable ground game with just 294 yards rushing as a team through four games. That’s notable with windy and rainy conditions expected to carry into Friday.
On the playoff side a win strengthens Independence’s case for a home playoff game with a challenging chain of games yet to come. For Bluefield a win means hopping back into the playoff picture ahead of its bye with the schedule easing up in October.
Man (2-2) at Greenbrier West (3-1)
After suffering a season-opening loss at Pendleton County, Greenbrier West has rebounded for three straight victories, one coming via forfeit. Man is coming off a loss but sits at No. 14 in the latest Class A playoff ratings. West sits at No. 12, needing to keep pace in a completive playoff race.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers they’ll be without the services of their most productive offensive player in Isaac Agee. Agee suffered a major knee injury that will cost him the rest of his season. With that in mind the bulk of West’s carries will likely go to Brandon Poticher and Evan Vandall. Poticher is third on the team in rushing with 207 yards but first in touchdowns with four. Vandall, the QB, is second in yards (231) and first in touchdowns (4). He’s also thrown for over 200 yards with Kamden Sams (5-92) serving as his top target.
The game will be the toughest of West’s season to date, but more of the same for Man. The Hillbillies have played three of their four games against Class AA foes, all of which are .500 or better.
PikeView (0-4) at Shady Spring (2-1)
PikeView nearly pulled off the upset of the year last week when it had undefeated Westside on the ropes in Clear Fork. The Panthers stumbled late, losing 35-25 but more than anything they proved they’re not to be overlooked.
They’ll travel to Class AAA No. 11 Shady Spring which enjoyed an early bye last week. The Shady defense has been on an early season tear, forcing turnovers at an outstanding pace. Nathan Easley has four interceptions and when the Tigers played Summers two weeks ago they forced four fumbles and intercepted two passes.
That’s important for a PikeView offense that primarily travels on the ground. Though the Panthers have a plethora of options, Peyton Mounts is the team’s most productive player with 374 yards and three touchdowns on 53 carries. Josh Hedrick and Braiden Mullins are also over 100 yards rushing on the year.
Shady has relied mostly on its passing attack which has been led by backup QB Myles Clark. Filling in for starter Cal Culicerto, Clark threw for 243 yards with three touchdown passes. Easley has displayed his ball skills on the offensive side as well with 186 yards receiving on 11 catches.
Summers County (2-2) at Midland Trail (1-3)
Summers sits just outside the Class A playoff picture, coming in at No. 18 in the latest ratings. Its postseason bid is largely anchored by the fact both of its wins have come against winless Class AA teams. Aiming for another postseason berth, the Bobcats travel to Class AA foe Midland Trail, a team struggling in its new class.
Having burned through their margin for error, a loss against a Class A opponent would be detrimental to Trail’s postseason hopes.
The primary task for Trail will be slowing the ground attack led by Summers senior Tyson Adkins. Adkins has rushed for 434 yards in the season with four rushing scores. Frankie McClaugherty and Isaiah Lott have spelled him with over 100 yards each but they highlight an offense that relies on staying ahead of the chains and avoiding negative plays.
Offense has been a struggle for Trail which has been plagued by turnovers. The Patriots have thrown eight total interceptions this season and have struggled on the ground. Kaden Lephew leads the team with 162 yards rushing through four games while Will McGraw has 135. Friday’s matchup will be pivotal for both sides.
Narrows, Va. (2-1) at James Monroe (2-2)
After an 0-2 start James Monroe has rebounded to even its record at 2-2. But Saturday’s home contest with Narrows will be no walk in the park. Narrows gave James Monroe a game last year but the Maverick defense got the last laugh coming up with a pair of interceptions and holding Narrows in a 21-6 victory.
Slowing running back Cooper Helvey, the only Narrows player to score in last year’s contest, will be the main objective for James Monroe. As for the Maverick offense, it’s still trying to find its footing though the last two outings have been encouraging.
Brock Parker, Ben Comer and Layton Dowdy are all over 100 yards rushing while Dowdy seems to have established himself as the starting QB after platooning with Ryan Mann.
Week 5 Scheudle
Friday, Sept. 27
Bluefield at Independence
Buffalo at Liberty
Hannan at Montcalm
Man vs. Greenbrier West
Narrows, Va. at James Monroe
PikeView at Shady Spring
Pocahontas County at Richwood
Sherman at Mount View
Summers County at Midland Trail
Tazewell, Va. at Princeton
Van at River View
Open: Beckley, Greenbrier East, Meadow Bridge, Nicholas County, Oak Hill, Westside, Wyoming East
