By Rob Mario of WEPM radio

The two best teams in the Eastern Panhandle in their respective classes – Martinsburg and Keyser – won big this weekend, while two others who are trying to keep pace – Musselman and Frankfort – turned in a split decision.

Class AAA Martinsburg and Class AA Keyser continued to waste their competitors. Martinsburg crushed winless Hedgesville, 62-0, while Keyser rolled over Class AAA Hampshire, 56-6.

For Martinsburg, it was the concluding chapter in a mid-season trilogy of weaker teams whom it outscored 180-7. The Bulldogs have climbed to No. 11 in the latest Class AAA WVSSAC Rankings and are now 4-2. The twin rushing attack of Ryan Rowland and sophomore quarterback Kameron Puller welcomed a triplet last Friday, as fullback James Jordan joined the party. Puller ran for 150 yards and two scores, and Rowland had 129 yards to go with his matching pair of touchdowns. Jordan, whose nickname is “Noon,” added 105 yards and a score. Brandon Bishop chipped in with 38 yards and a touchdown, and Brett Rogers rushed for 25 and threw for 60 and a touchdown. Rogers also added 12 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.

Martinsburg’s defense was brutal. Hedgesville finished with negative 11 yards of offense on 59 plays from scrimmage. Martinsburg forced four turnovers and had four sacks. Hedgesville committed 14 penalties to go with those four turnovers and a dozen other plays which resulted in negative yardage, so on 30 occasions when they broke the huddle, they experienced a negative play. When you combine Hedgesville’s 95 yards in penalties with their net offensive yardage of minus 11, it means that the Eagles finished the night more than a full length of a football field in the wrong direction.

Martinsburg is off this weekend and Hedgesville, 0-6, will visit Musselman in a game that will be featured as our Sports Radio 1340 WEPM game of the week.

Keyser is now 5-0 and ranked first in Class AA. The Golden Tornado overpowered the 1-4 Hampshire Trojans. If you’ve followed Keyser at all over the past couple seasons, then you are no doubt quite familiar with the explosive tandem of Jeremy Green and Matt Wilmer; but let me tell you about that quarterback for Keyser, Preston Hartman. Hartman had a big night against head coach Sean Biser’s former team, as he went five for six for 122 yards and two scores, and he also returned an interception 38 yards for another. Both of Hartman’s TD passes were to John Purdy, the first for 37 and the other for 23, as Keyser rolled to a 353-112 total yardage advantage on the night. Wilmer carried only five times as the reserves garnered a great deal of playing time, but he was very productive with his touches. Wilmer rolled up 98 yards and scored from the five and the 45. Green scored two touchdowns as well, one on a 10-yard run and the other a 41-yard interception return. In fact, the Golden Tornado completed a natural hat trick of interception returns for touchdowns in the second quarter when Taige Redman brought back a third interception for a touchdown, his from 52 yards. The second quarter was when Keyser claimed the game as it scored three touchdowns in a 29-second span, two of which were on interception returns. Hampshire’s lone touchdown was also scored in the second quarter when Caleb Hill caught a 14-yard pass from Philip Malick. There was no scoring in the second half. Brent Walter led Hampshire with 34 yards rushing on seven carries. Linebacker Joey Amtower paced Keyser with eight tackles. Scott Kitrell was perfect on eight point-after attempts. Keyser will play at 1-4 Berkeley Springs this week, and Hampshire will host 4-1 Allegany of Maryland, rated No. 18 in the state of Maryland, regardless of class.

Musselman’s fourth straight win propelled it into the Class AAA No. 14 slot this week, the first time they’ve been in the top 16 this season. The Applemen’s 28-21 win in Shenandoah Junction over the Jefferson Cougars (1-4) spoiled Jefferson’s long-awaited home debut and upped head coach Denny Price’s record-setting same-school win total to 248. The Cougars, who will be getting FieldTurf next season, scored first on an 84-yard run by quarterback Brandon Hyler. The Applemen answered back quickly, as senior tailback Casey Cochran returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards to the nine-yard line. Two carries later Cochran scored the first of his three touchdowns on the night, and the game was tied. Hyler answered with a rollout left, throw back across the body while under pressure pass to Keenan DeLawder, who proceeded to cut back to the right and angle his way to a 46-yard touchdown. Cochran’s second score, this one from a yard, tied the game, and then sophomore quarterback Korey Jackson put the Applemen ahead when he ran in from the five. Dewey McDonald’s catch-and-run from the three on a busted play following an errant shot gun snap tied the game at 21 in the third. Cochran’s third touchdown, a three-yarder with 7:31 to play, turned out to be the winning points. Cochran rushed for 141 yards on the night, and Korey Jackson, who threw only four passes and completed two for 25 yards, finished with 12 carries for 68 yards. For the Cougars, Hyler finished the night with 128 yards rushing and 135 passing. Jefferson will host 3-1 Fort Hill of Cumberland, Maryland this week.

The 4-2 Frankfort Falcons are kicking themselves this week, as they missed out on a golden opportunity at Frostburg when they allowed 4-1 Mountain Ridge to rally from 14 points down. The Miners won the game, 36-34 in overtime when Falcon quarterback James Jones’ two-point conversion pass was intercepted by Miner quarterback Matt Farris. The loss dropped Frankfort to No. 16 in the Class A rankings this week. Emotions were running high as the Miners were playing their first game ever at their new stadium on Homecoming night. Those emotions may have psyched out the Miners more than the Falcons early on, though, as Frankfort jumped out to leads of 14-0, 21-7 and 28-14 in the first half. Frankfort’s senior fullback Saige Shepherd returned to action with 12 carries for 100 yards. His 40-yard run set up his only touchdown run of the night, from a yard away, and put Frankfort up 7-0 in the first quarter. Roger Ryan’s fumble recovery set up Frankfort’s next touchdown, a 33-yard strike from Jones to Jeremy Miltenberger. Following a Miner touchdown, Jones and Miltenberger reconnected, this time from 67 yards, to reestablish the 14-point lead at 21-7. A 28-yard Jones-to-Logan Wolford pass to the one set up Derek Sisk’s one-yard score for a 28-14 halftime lead for Frankfort. The Miner ground attack, combined with some Falcon turnovers, helped to draw the Miners even and force overtime. Mountain Ridge scored first in the OT and converted for two to go up by eight. Shawn Gillespie, whose fumble recovery in the fourth quarter halted one Miner drive, scored from two yards out to bring the Falcons within two, but following an illegal procedure call against Frankfort, Jones’ pass for two was intercepted, and Frankfort would lose, 36-34. Jones finished the night 14 of 18 passing for 225 yards and the two touchdowns to Miltenberger, who had four catches for 104 yards. Wolford grabbed seven passes for 88 yards and kicked four extra points. Ryan led the Falcons with nine tackles. The Falcon defense surrendered 336 yards rushing to the Miner wishbone attack. Marcus Stewart led the Mountain Ridge ground game with 129 yards while Corey Wellings added 64 yards and three touchdowns. Braxton Brodie added a two-yard touchdown run to the cause. Miner quarterback Matt Farris, who scored the overtime touchdown from the one, also ran in the two-point conversion. Farris took advantage of an illegal participation penalty on Frankfort, which moved the ball inside the two, setting up the chance for the two-point conversion attempt. Frankfort will take this weekend off and gear up to host, in succession, Petersburg, Allegany and then Keyser.

Class AAA Washington (1-4) lost its fourth straight, 45-0 to Parkersburg South. The Patriots of Jefferson County were held to 111 yards by the Patriots of Wood County. Washington will not leave Jefferson County for the remainder of its season, as it will host four straight home games before concluding its rookie season at Jefferson High on Nov. 7. Washington begins its homestretch this Friday by hosting 0-5 Kettle Run of Nokesville, Va. This match-up of new schools gives the Patriots an excellent chance at a second win. Kettle Run has been outscored 318-26 this year and has already lost games this year by scores like 81-0 and 70-0.

Class AA Berkeley Springs (1-4) was shut out for the second time this season, as Class A Moorefield beat it, 17-0. The Yellow Jackets, losers two times this year because of failed extra points, improved to 2-3 with the win. Jake Hose led the way in victory with 187 yards rushing and two touchdowns. All of the game’s points were scored in the second quarter. Berkeley Springs quarterback Matt Colwell was injured in the second quarter and did not return. Moorefield held Berkeley Springs to less than 100 yards of total offense. Moorefield’s four-game homestand continues in two weeks when it hosts 1-4 East Hardy, 43-20 losers to Pendleton County this past week. Berkeley Springs will host undefeated and top-ranked Keyser this week.

Petersburg forfeited this week when it did a no show for a road game against Magnolia. The Vikings will travel to Maryland to face the 1-3 Southern Garrett Rams this week. The Rams have been outscored 144-43 this season, while the Vikings have been outscored 166-28.

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SOUTHWEST W.VA. PREP REPORT: WEEK 7

By Chris Lawrence of WCHS radio

The South Charleston Black Eagles find themselves back atop the SSAC's rankings in Class AAA this week. SCHS coach John Messenger says his team is starting to learn how to wear the success after a disappointing season a year ago.

"It was probably more stressful week one to be up there and have people put the bull’s eye on you from the get-go than it is in week seven," said Messenger. "We said all along that if we're going to be up there, we hope it's weeks seven through 10. Now the tough thing is going to be to stay there."

It will definitely be a tall order for the Black Eagles, as they enter the "Murderers Row" of their schedule with (Class AAA No. 5) Cabell-Midland, (Class AAA No. 3) Hurricane, (Class AAA No. 14) Spring Valley and defending Class AA State Champion Bluefield on the road.

This Friday night for the Black Eagles, it's No. 5 Cabell-Midland. The Knights' success in 2008 almost mirrors the turnaround South Charleston has enjoyed. Both teams had disappointing seasons a year ago, despite having a wealth of talent, but both teams this year are finding ways to win, even in close games and on off-nights.

"We've certainly had some breaks go our way this year that didn't go our way last year," said Cabell Midland coach Chip McMillian. "Our kids have played with a tremendous amount of heart and just refused to lose ballgames. We've made a bunch of games close that maybe shouldn't have been and we've come from behind. We've done it about every way possible."

The high ranking is new territory for undefeated (Class AAA No. 3) Hurricane. Coach Willis May takes his team on the road to Hamlin Friday night to tangle with a much-improved Lincoln County team this Friday night. May's No. 1 concern is guarding against a look ahead.

"I don't want to talk about that game next week," said May. "I told our kids I don't want to hear a word about anything except Lincoln County this week. You saw what happened to West Virginia when they looked ahead of Pitt last year; it cost them a chance to play for a National Championship."

Despite May's efforts, being ranked third in the state generates enthusiasm that is often difficult to corral with a group of teenagers.

"I'm trying like heck to keep them humble," said May. "That's not easy with the community being all excited about what your ranking is. I told the kids our goal at the start of the year was to get to Wheeling (for the state champion game): that's what we've got to focus on. What we're ranked now doesn't mean anything; it's what you're ranked at the end of the year."

The George Washington Patriots have been flying under the radar since a close loss at South Charleston early. Since then, G.W. has continued to pile up wins and click off teams one after the other to build up to a No. 6 ranking in Class AAA this week. G.W. takes on Princeton at Laidley Field Friday night. Coach Steve Edwards, Jr., says his game plan is pretty simple.

"They run the wing-T, and they spread you out,” said Edwards of this week’s foe. “We gotta shut down their running game. They’ve got two nice ball carriers, the quarterback can throw the ball, and they're always big and physical. It's pretty much the same old, same old. If we can play decent defense, keep the football and move it ourself without too many turnovers, we should be okay."

Riverside will host Ripley Friday night at Warrior Stadium in Quincy. Ripley's standout quarterback Seth Parsons suffered a game-ending injury a week ago at South Charleston. Fortunately, doctors say his collarbone was not broken, as was feared. It's questionable whether he'll suit up Friday night, but Riverside coach Ralph Hensley says they'll have a challenge whether he's running the offense or not.

"In any game, you plan like he's going to be there, because (Scott) Ullom came in there and did a good job, too," said Hensley. "It's a situation where people will usually step up and fill the role they have to do."

Hensley's had to call on a number of young players to step up and fill roles. At least three Riverside starters have been lost for the year to knee injuries, and others remain questionable.

Although St. Albans and Nitro have struggled this season, there will be no worries about motivation this Friday night when those two tangle at Crawford Field in the annual "Battle of the Bridge." The old foes renew a rivalry that often brings out a lot of emotion.

"Oh yeah, no question when these two schools and communities get together for athletic events, it's always exciting and it's what high school football is all about," said Red Dragons coach Derrick Christian.

St. Albans is still fighting for an outside shot at landing one of those 16 playoff positions. Nitro continues its struggles with youth, but the Wildcats showed at least some promise on the defensive side of the ball a week ago against Capital. Coach John Sowards says the biggest thorn in the side of his team has been turnovers. Sowards says hanging onto the ball has been a key concern, as has a need for young quarterback Bodie Johnson to make better reads on his receivers and better throws under pressure.

Winfield is on the road Friday night at Logan.

There's an intriguing game Friday night in Mason County where Class AA No. 13 Point Pleasant hosts Poca. The Big Blacks feature a lights-out ground game led by Adam Wasonga, who scored five touchdowns and rushed for nearly 400 yards against Midland Trail earlier this year. However, the Dots will counter with Caleb Arthur, who's burned out a few scoreboard lights of his own. Poca Coach Bob Lemley knows it could turn into a track meet.

"I just hope we're on the track more," said Lemley. "(Wasonga) is a tremendous back. We're going to have to keep the ball, No. 1, and No. 2, when we do get hold of him, we're going to have to tackle him."

Also in double-A Friday night, it's the battle for northern Kanawha County, as Sissonville travels to Hoover in a game in which both teams are nearly identical.

"Both of us are sitting at 2-4. Both of us are in search of another win," said Sissonville coach Todd Chevalier. "I'm sure Coach (Steve) Stoueffel is telling his kids the same thing we're telling our – you’re still alive and the road to the post season will run through Hoover's stadium Friday night for one of us."

Buffalo has an open date Friday night to prepare for next week's mach-up with Clay County.