On the Sidelines
November 9, 2008 By Chris Slater of Princeton Senior High School
This is the final week of high school football in the state of West Virginia. Teams are either looking ahead to the playoffs, or lamenting their losses.
For the most part, the top teams in each division - AAA, AA, and A - are locked into position for the playoffs. Only the top 16 teams in each division make the playoffs, and there are a few spots that will be decided tonight.
At press time, the top 16 teams in order in AAA are: South Charleston, George Washington, Capital, Morgantown, Wheeling Park, University, Bridgeport, Cabell Midland, Martinsburg, Parkersburg South, Nicholas County, Hurricane, Spring Valley, Woodrow Wilson, Musselman, and Fairmont Senior.
The top 16 for AA in order are: Keyser, Grafton, Wayne, Chapmanville, Ravenswood, Weir, Bluefield, Webster, Scott, James Monroe, Point Pleasant, Magnolia, Independence Senior, Shady Spring, Tolsia, Tyler Consolidated (tied for 15).
The top 16 in order for A are: Pocahontas County, Williamstown, Matewan, Wheeling Central Catholic, Fayetteville, Madonna, Mount Hope, Saint Marys, Calhoun, Man, Big Creek, Tucker County, Clay-Battelle, Parkersburg Catholic, Moorefield, and Midland Trail.
Pat Keys covers football games each Friday night as a commentator for radio station WELC. He also hosts a show, "Sports Line," on Concord University's radio station.
Regarding AAA, Keys notes the dominance of South Charleston.
"Obviously, right now, the only undefeated team in AAA is South Charleston," Keys said.
South Charleston plays Bluefield, a AA team, this Friday.
"A lot of people think Bluefield will pull out an upset," Keys said. "If Bluefield loses, they may not get home advantage in the playoffs. If they win, they go up in the rankings, because they're AA, and South Charleston is AAA."
Keys notes that the biggest game this weekend is between Woodrow Wilson and Spring Valley.
"There's a big game between the number 13 and 14 teams," Keys said. "If Woodrow Wilson loses, they could be out with a 5-5 record. Likewise, if Spring Valley loses, they could go down in the rankings."
Keys noted that the following teams are "on the bubble," concerning their status for the playoffs: Lewis County, Preston, Woodrow Wilson, and Fairmont Senior.
One team that is out of the playoffs is Princeton Senior High School. They presently have a 3-6 record and are ranked 25th. The Tigers play Nitro tonight.
"I think Nitro could pull off an upset," Keys said. "Princeton is down this season and I thought they'd do a lot better. Special teams is an issue for Princeton. It would be good for them to get a win."
Keys gives his championship predictions for each division. He noted that his AAA and A picks will be considered upsets, while he feels his AA selection is a "safe bet."
AAA - George Washington
AA - Keyser
A - Williamstown |
NATIONAL
WEST VIRGINIA
