By Rich Stevens
MaxPreps.com
There is something missing about the 2008 West Virginia high school football season.
That’s a dominant force in Class AAA.
As the second half begins to unfold, teams continue to jockey for the top position in the Secondary School Activities Commission computer ratings.
Right now, it’s up for grabs and one of the few teams that had an opportunity to separate itself struggled.
“This was definitely a wake up for us,” University star Dominique Dixon told the Morgantown Dominion-Post. Dixon’s dominating performance helped the Hawks hold off heavy underdog Brooke 20-19.
“Every game gets a little harder. We had a couple easy games but they’re going to keep getting harder.”
Dixon filled in for injured running back Brandon Tucker and had 156 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Defensively Dixon, one of the state’s best college prospects at linebacker, had three sacks as the Hawks stayed unbeaten.
Here is a look at the state’s top teams in each class, listed in alphabetical order:
CLASS AAA
Capital (6-1) – The Cougars are hurt with the loss of running back Keion Wright, who has an injured hand. With our without Wright, the Cougars should finish with a 9-1 record, but will need him for the playoffs.
George Washington (6-1) – GW opened the season with a win over Capital and a loss to South Charleston, who are a combined 13-1. The Patriots have taken care of business since, outscoring their last five opponents 180-29. GW should finish the regular season 9-1 with games against Parkersburg (3-4), Ripley (2-5) and Beckley (3-3) remaining. The Patriots have arguably the state’s best group of skill players with running backs Felix Mollett and Greg Jones and receivers Roland Willis, Mike Tucker, Shaquille Williams and Matt Johnson.
Hurricane (6-0) – The Redskins’ schedule has been questioned, although the same argument can be made for every Class AAA team during one of the most “down” years in Mountain State big school football. This week’s game against South Charleston could answer a lot of questions for Hurricane, which follows with three winnable games (at Nitro, Spring Valley, Brooke). Hurricane running back Terrell Martin has run for more than 1,000 yards.
South Charleston (7-0) – One of three unbeaten big school teams, the Black Eagles are also among the most electrifying squads. A victory against Hurricane will likely propel SC to the top of the SSAC ratings where it should remain with two winnable games remaining.
University (7-0) – The combined record of Hawks’ opponents so far is 11-21 and only one – Fairmont Senior – has a winning record. University has not yet been truly tested despite a one-point victory over .500 Brooke. The Hawks’ biggest test will be city rival Morgantown in the Mohawk Bowl on Halloween night.
Wheeling Park (5-1) – The Patriots shook off a potentially demoralizing loss to Steubenville (Ohio) with a 43-7 rout of previously unbeaten Bridgeport. Park should also finish 9-1 with games against East Liverpool, Ohio (2-6), Fairmont Senior (4-2), John Marshall (0-7) and Robert C. Byrd (3-3). Park’s defense has been its calling card, giving up more than 20 points only once.
CLASS AA
Chapmanville (6-0) – The jury is still out on the Tigers, who are unbeaten but have won by an average of 14 points the last five games. Those are still victories, but aren’t as dominant as fellow unbeatens Grafton and Keyser.
Grafton (6-0) – The Bearcats manhandled Class A Williamstown 37-7 and have scored fewer than 37 points only once – in a 23-14 victory over Frankfort. Grafton, led by quarterback Cameron Gallaher (52-of-78, 823 yards, 9 TDs), have Class AAA Robert C. Byrd this week.
Keyser (6-0) – The Golden Tornado has been challenged twice this season – both by Maryland squads. Keyser, situated in the state’s Eastern Panhandle, finishes the season with another Maryland team this week (Southern Garrett), before back-to-back home games against state foes Musselman and Frankfort. Running back Matt Wilmer has almost 1,000 all-purpose yards for Keyser.
Wayne (5-1) – Even with a loss, the Pioneers can never be counted out. Wayne’s only loss was a one-point defeat to Point Pleasant, but the Pioneers have history on their side, winning the 2006 state title and finishing as runners-up in 2004.
CLASS A
Wheeling Central (6-1) – The Maroon Knights are fourth in the SSAC ratings, but their schedule does them no favors. Wheeling Central visits Ohio power Steubenville this week in what is expected to be an all-out rout by Big Red. Still, Wheeling Central – which plays only one West Virginia opponent – remains the standard in the small school ranks with four consecutive state titles.
Williamstown (5-1) – Forget about the Yellowjackets’ loss to Grafton. Coach Terry Smith’s team is expected to finish 3-1 against its Class AA opponents, which should propel them to the top of the SSAC ratings.
Rich Stevens, a sportswriter for the Charleston Daily Mail, covers West Virginia for MaxPreps.
