Parkersburg’s Alex Greer (24) passes the ball to teammate Tytan Parsons (11) during last week’s game against Riverside at Stadium Field. (Photo by Brian Cox Photography)
GEORGE WASHINGTON at PARKERSBURG
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last year’s score: George Washington 30, Parkersburg 23
GW (5-0) results: d. Spring Valley, 27-7; d. Hurricane, 45-12; d. Cabell Midland, 27-12; d. South Charleston, 55-7; d. Barnesville, 17-14
PHS (3-2) results: lost to Morgantown, 44-7; lost to Spring Valley, 30-20; d. Hurricane, 45-16; d. Parkersburg South, 20-17; d. Riverside, 48-0
Key GW players: QB Cy Persinger, RB Jaden Black, WR Kai Martin, DE Johvon Davis
Key PHS players: QB Alex Greer, RB Ethan Jones, LB Devin Widman, DE Adam Elder
Game notes: No. 2 George Washington brings a 5-0 record into a Mountain State Athletic Conference quad-A showdown at Stadium Field versus the No. 6 Big Reds.
The Patriots are allowing just 10 points per game and the Big Reds will need to find a way to contain freshman tailback Jaden Black, who has eight touchdowns on his 88 carries to go along with 577 rushing yards.
Cy Persinger is completing nearly 62% of his attempts and is 34 of 55 with five touchdowns and three picks. Kai Martin (7-123-3) has been his top target.
“They are 5-0 for a reason. Really good across the board, not many weaknesses,” admitted PHS head coach Matt Kimes, whose program is looking for a fourth consecutive triumph. “The QB has a lot of Friday night experience and manages the offense well.
“Can make plays with his arm and legs. The running back is only a freshman, but he plays much older. Really impressed with him. Normal GW team with lots of skill guys, but they are led by Martin. We have to know where he is. O-line is big and physical.”
Ethan Jones (57-395-5) leads the PHS rushing attack, which has seen signal-caller Alex Greer add three TDs and 384 ground yards. Greer has completed half of his 68 attempts for 449 yards with five TDs and four picks with Brady Thorn (13-191-1) and Tytan Parsons (11-133-2) leading the receivers.
The Big Red defense has received seven tackles for loss apiece from Adam Elder and Devin Widman, who has team-highs of two sacks and 45 total tackles.
“(GW’s) defense mixes their looks and plays assignment football. We will need to establish our run game if we want to have success,” admitted coach Kimes, who has watched the varsity defense not allow a score in eight of their last 10 quarters.
“We will have to play our best game of the year to beat them. We are trending in the right direction, playing better every week. The game will be decided in the trenches and turnover battle.”
GILMER AT RITCHIE
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s score: Ritchie County 49, Gilmer County 32
GCHS (2-3) results: d. Calhoun County, 46-20; lost to Braxton County, 49-14; d. Richwood, 51-18; lost to Wirt County, 55-26; lost to Clay-Battelle, 58-6
RCHS (0-4) results: lost to Tyler Consolidated, 38-14; lost to Doddridge County, 48-0; lost to South Harrison, 60-34; lost to Braxton County, 16-6
Key GCHS players: QB Remi Huffman, RB Tyler Ratliff, WR Lex Grogg
Key RCHS players: QB Turner Shriver, WR Jenner Keen, RB Isaiah Poole
Game notes: Ritchie County enters the fray following a bye week for third-year head coach Jared Shipe as the Rebels are trying to avoid their first 0-5 start since 2016.
Gilmer County, which lost this game a year ago, currently sits in 17th place in the latest WVSSAC single-A ratings.
The Rebels will need to find a way to contain Gilmer County running back Tyler Ratliff, who already has found paydirt seven times and has rushed for 598 yards on 83 carries.
The Titans are seeking just their third win in what will be the 18th all-time meeting come Friday night at Chuck Schofield Memorial Stadium.
ROANE AT RIPLEY
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s score: Roane County 43, Ripley 7
RCHS (3-1) results: d. Greenbrier West, 67-16; d. Clay County, 49-14; lost to Williamstown, 45-21; d. Braxton County, 46-20
RHS (3-2) results: lost to South Charleston, 27-23; d. Ravenswood, 49-0; d. Lincoln County, 45-8; d. Point Pleasant, 42-23; lost to Nitro, 48-6
Key RCHS players: QB Jacob Greathouse, RB Javon Letourneau, RB Koltyn Starcher
Key RHS players: QB Jackson Moore, RB Cody Lawrence, WR Parker Keller
Game notes: A year ago this game wasn’t close and host Ripley will be out to turn the tide come Friday night at Death Valley.
The Vikings, who have watched Cody Lawrence rush for 642 yards and nine TDs, have actually tasted defeat in the last four meetings, but Ripley won 10 of the first 11 matchups.
There’s no secret as to what the Ripley defense should expect as the Raiders have thrown just 17 times and are averaging 385.5 ground yards a contest.
Both teams need this game to earn some key ratings points as the Vikings are currently No. 17 in quad-A while the Raiders are No. 15 in Class AA.
TYLER CONSOLIDATED AT MAGNOLIA
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s score: Tyler Consolidated 42, Magnolia 0
TCHS (2-3) results: d. Ritchie County, 38-14; lost to Wahama, 28-13; lost to Doddridge County, 47-8; lost to Petersburg, 28-13; d. Cameron, 14-12
MHS (0-4) results: lost to Wirt County, 47-12; lost to River, 42-0; lost to Bridgeport, 42-18; lost to Monroe Central, 47-12
Key TCHS players: QB Reese Davis, RB Gideon Winfrey, WR Cam Strode
Key MHS players: QB Kingston Christen, RB Hunter Cooley, WR Finn Loy
Game notes: Tyler Consolidated picked up a big win a week ago by nipping Cameron and the Silver Knights will look to keep the good times rolling versus Magnolia.
The Blue Eagles, who are 23-8 all-time versus the Silver Knights, have dropped three straight in the series and are off to an 0-4 start.
Tyler Consolidated, which sits at No. 19 in the Class AA ratings, will have the chance to climb back to. 500 after stopping a three-game slide.
PETERSBURG AT DODDRIDGE COUNTY
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s score: Doddridge County 40, Petersburg 6
PHS (5-0) results: d. Berkeley Springs, 55-13; d. Wyoming East, 66-6; d. Pendleton County, 26-21; d. Tyler Consolidated, 28-13; d. Moorefield, 28-6
DCHS (4-0) results: d. Liberty, 41-6; d. Roane County, 48-0; d. Tyler Consolidated, 47-8; d. Ravenswood, 47-0
Key PHS players: QB Payton Metheny, RB Lukas Wolford, Kaleb Kuhn
Key DCHS players: QB Brysen Dixon, RB Lyric Blake, WR Landon Thomas
Game notes: Something will have to give come Friday evening at Cline Stansberry Stadium in this battle of unbeatens.
Petersburg rolls into Doddridge County sporting a 5-0 record and are No. 4 in Class AA.
The host Bulldogs of Bobby Burnside, who had an extra week to prepare, are currently 4-0 and sit No. 8 in double-A.
Petersburg made the trek to West Union a year ago and dropped a 40-6 decision. The Vikings are led by dual-threat quarterback Payton Metheny, who is 57 of 99 for 941 yards with 11 TDs and two picks. Metheny has five rushing scores and 233 yards, which trails teammate Kaleb Kuhn’s 337 yards rushing.
Doddridge County also will have to account for top Petersburg receiver Kaleb Kuhn, who has four touchdowns on his 18 grabs that cover 337 yards.
Brysen Dixon, who has thrown for 10 TDs against one interception and is 30 of 45 for 554 yards, has hit top target Landon Thomas a dozen times for 172 yards and five scores. Lyric Blake paces the ‘Dog rushing attack with 40 totes, nine six-pointers and 546 rushing yards.
WIRT AT WEBSTER
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s score: Wirt County 43, Webster County 7
Wirt (3-2) results: lost to Eastern, 47-13; d. Magnolia, 47-12; d. Calhoun County, 42-12; d. Gilmer County, 55-26; lost to Wahama, 55-6
Webster (2-2) results: d. Richwood, 42-22; d. Tygarts Valley, 16-14; lost to St. Marys, 49-18; lost to Tucker County, 70-6
Key Wirt players: QB Tyler Smith, TE Jake Moore, TE Easton Wyer
Key Webster players: QB Isaiah Cutlip, RB Eli Amos, WR Ryder Wright
Game notes: It’ll be a Little Kanawha Conference showdown of ranked Class A programs as the No. 11 Tigers travel to Upper Glade to face the No. 13 Highlanders.
Wirt County suffered its first loss since its season opener last week when defending single-A state champion Wahama left town with a blowout victory.
Webster County is also coming off a 70-6 blowout loss to Tucker County and will attempt to avoid going below the .500 plateau.
WAHAMA AT EASTERN
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s score: Wahama 55, Eastern 31
WHS (5-0) results: d. East Hardy, 79-40; d. Tyler Consolidated, 28-13; d. South Gallia, 43-13; d. Calhoun County, 57-8; d. Wirt County, 55-6
EHS (3-2) results: d. Meigs, 23-19; d. Wirt County, 47-13; lost to South Gallia, 22-21; d. Federal Hocking, 50-16; lost to Waterford, 28-13
Key WHS players: QB Trace Simpkins, RB Reezin Stitt, RB Treyvon Bearhs
Key EHS players: RB Ethan Edwards, RB Parker Durst, DL Mason Shepherd
Game notes: Eastern enters this game needing a big win as head coach Jason Jackson’s Eagles are currently 17th in Division VI, Region 23.
Last year, the Eagles put up a fight but didn’t have enough to tame Wahama, which went on to capture the single-A crown in the Mountain State.
The White Falcons, who got signal-caller Trace Simpkins back from injury last week, comes into East Shade River Stadium tied atop the Class A ratings with Wheeling Central.
BUFFALO AT CALHOUN
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s result: Buffalo Putnam 46, Calhoun County 22
Buffalo Putnam (2-2): lost to Poca 34-6; lost to Clay County 44-14; def. Tolsia 33-8; def. Liberty Raleigh 38-18
Calhoun County (1-5): lost to Gilmer County 46-20; def. Richwood 34-14; lost to Wirt County 42-12; lost to Wahama 57-8; lost to Tolsia 52-12
Key Buffalo Putnam players: Hunter Rutan (QB/OLB); Grant Weaver (WR)
Key Calhoun County players: Gavin Hicks (WR/DB), Charter Cottrell (RB/LB), Brennen Carpenter (QB/DB), Chase Schoolcraft (WR/LB)
Game notes: Buffalo is headed in the right direction following a winless season in 2023. The Bison under first-year head coach Andy Anderson are two wins from matching last year’s total and seeking to finish .500 for the first time since 2021. Hunter Rutan enters this season as a first-year quarterback and has led Buffalo to a No. 17 ranking in Class AA. Calhoun County is 0-3 all-time against the Bison.
TRIMBLE AT BELPRE
Game time: 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s result: Trimble 52, Belpre 6
Trimble (4-2): lost to Nelsonville-York 34-8; def. Berne Union 36-0; def. Vinton County 10-0; def. Wellston 40-0; lost to Shenandoah 36-6; def. Southern 34-26
Belpre (2-4): lost to Fisher Catholic 47-12; def. Federal Hocking 34-6; lost to Alexander 39-6; lost to Oak Glen 43-0; def. Green Local 56-0; lost to Steubenville Catholic Central 51-18
Key Trimble players: Luke Orsborne (FB/OLB), Trevor Gowen (RB/OLB), Paul Sharp (QB)
Key Belpre players: Malakai Ensor (TE/DE), Malik Currie (WR/DB), Alex Parker (WB/OLB), Carson Woodford (OL/DL), Jayden Francis (OL/LB)
Game notes In a series that dates back to 1965, Trimble leads 23-12, including 18 straight wins over the Golden Eagles.
The last time Belpre defeated Trimble occurred under coach Ralph Holder in 1994. Trimble, which still has a legitimate shot at winning the TVC Hocking Division, is led by the running back duo of Orsborne (796 yards, 12 TDs) and Gowen (363 yards, 4 TDs).
GREENBRIER WEST AT FORT FRYE
Game time: 6:30 p.m.
Last year’s result: Fort Frye 27, Greenbrier West 0
Greenbrier West (2-3): lost to Roane County 67-14; def. Summers County 52-12; lost to Liberty 27-14; def. Pocahontas County 16-14; lost to Man 20-0
Fort Frye (4-1): lost to Barnesville 35-0; def. West Muskingum 36-7; def. Wheeling Central 40-0; def. Waterford 28-0; def. Caldwell 31-7
Key Greenbrier West players: Ben Butler (RB/OLB), Colton Dunbar (TE/DE)
Key Fort Frye players: Sam Bricker (RB/OLB), Tyce Beardsley (RB/DB), Gavin Rauch (RB/DB), Keinan Bradford (FB/LB), Grady Hesson (QB/DB)
Game notes: Currently Greenbrier West is on the playoff bubble at No. 16 in Class A.
Two years removed from a state runner-up finish to Williamstown, Greenbrier West is just 6-8 overall over two seasons. Fort Frye, ranked No. 5 in Division VI, Region 23, has three of its four remaining games at home.
FRONTIER AT CONOTTON VALLEY
Game time: 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Conotton Valley 46, Frontier 20
Frontier (2-4): def. Bridgeport 36-13; lost to Miller 20-14; lost to Clay-Battelle 42-20; lost to Shadyside 13-6; def. Valley (Wetzel) 52-8; lost to St. Marys 37-14
Conotton Valley (4-2): def. Tuscarawas Central Catholic 50-22; def. Millersport 46-6; lost to Newcomerstown 52-20; lost to Strasburg 34-22; def. Brownsville (Pa.) 46-0; def. Bridgeport 40-23
Key Frontier players: Aaden Bills (QB/LB), Austyn Kephart (WR/LB), Caleb Kirkpatrick (RB/LB), Avery Powell (WR/DB)
Key Conotton Valley: Kamden Wright (WR/FS); Kaden Leggett (QB/CB); Gavin Haney (WR/SS)
Game notes: Conotton Valley and Frontier meet for the fourth time, with CV winning each of the three previous meetings. CV is ranked. No. 10 in Division VII, Region 27.
None of the Rockets’ four wins have occurred against teams with a winning record. Last week in a win over Bridgeport, Wright caught two TD receptions and also intercepted a pass on defense. Frontier QB Aiden Bills is coming off a 255-yard, two TD passing effort against St.Marys.
JOHN MARSHALL AT WARREN
Game time: 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Warren 24, John Marshall 12
John Marshall (3-1): def. Marietta 23-21; def. Weir 42-12; def. Bellaire 34-26; lost to Parkersburg South 41-14.
Warren (1-5): lost to Circleville 16-15; lost to Morgan 28-13; def. Logan 27-21 (OT); lost to Independence 35-0; lost to Union Local 35-0; lost to Athens 44-7
Key John Marshall players: Dalton Cooper (RB), Kayden Knapp (QB), Landen Snyder, Cain Martin
Key Warren players: Eric Carr (RB/S); Tanner Pepper (WR/S/QB); Jayce Hilverding (TE/LB)
Game notes: Last year marked the first Warren in five meetings against John Marshall. The Monarchs, ranked No. 18 in Class AAA, are seeking to finish above.500 for the first time since 2021 when they finished 6-4. Last week, JM turned the ball over four times against Parkersburg South. Athens limited Warren to 97 yards of total offense.
WATERFORD AT SOUTHERN
Game time: 7 p.m.
Last year’s result; Waterford 42, Southern 14
Waterford (4-2): def. Vinton County 50-12; def. Caldwell 21-6; def. Shenandoah 49-0; lost to Fort Frye 28-0; lost to Nelsonville York 29-28; def. Eastern 28-13
Southern (1-5): lost to South Gallia 54-7; lost to South Point 36-0; lost to Miller 52-14; def. Green Local 51-0; lost to Eastern PIke 41-6; lost to Trimble 34-26
Key Waterford players: Weston Fairchild, Trevin Zimmer, Hayden Jones (QB)
Key Southern players: Wyatt Smith (WR/CB); Jake Wickline (RB/MLB)
Game notes: The series between Waterford and Southern began in the first year of football for the Wildcats in 1975. Waterford leads the series 31-11 and has won the last 12 meetings. Waterford is ranked No. 5 in Division VI, Region 27. The only team with a .500 or better record remaining on Waterford’s schedule is Trimble on Oct. 17. Cassidy Wilford, now in his eighth season with Southern, is the longest tenured head coach in school history – which dates back to 1962.
Southern’s roster is young with only four seniors, three juniors and the remaining players sophomores or freshmen.