This football season has seen its fair share of highs and lows. There has been plenty to cheer for and even some forgettable moments as well.
In Shinnston, Rob Hawkins became the winningest coach in Lincoln history while guiding the Cougars into the playoffs. A. J. Bart broke the county record for the most touchdown passes thrown, capping off an incredible career. All four Harrison County schools that have football programs made the second season with Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd advancing to the second round. The Flying Eagles pulled the biggest upset, on paper, of the opening round of the playoffs with the road win over Class AAA third seed Fairmont Senior.
This weekend brings the West Virginia high school football championships that will be played at the University of Charleston at Laidley Field. It’s still hard to imagine the football finals anywhere but Wheeling Island Stadium that was the host for 30 years before last year.
One familiar squad that is absent is Bridgeport. The Indians were on the wrong end of an upset alert in quarterfinal play. It marked the first time since 2011 that the Tribe had not advanced to the semifinals.
Once teams get into the playoffs, it is the matchups that make the difference. Seeding is also crucial to the “survive and advance” process that now has eight teams just one win from a state championship.
In Class AAAA, Morgantown garnered the number one seed and will now face the people’s choice for the top seed. Many feel that Martinsburg is the top team in the Mountain State and it will be settled on the gridiron.
Class AAA owns one of only two remaining undefeated teams in Princeton. The Tigers received an early Christmas present when Bridgeport lost and faces Nitro. The Wildcats are explosive, but are a wild card coming in at the number five seed, the lowest seed to make the finals in any class this year. In Class AA, a pair of schools from counties bordering Harrison (Doddridge County and Phillip Barbour) suffered setbacks, setting the stage for an interesting final.
Frankfort is the other undefeated squad that hasn’t been tested. No opponent has been within single digits of the Falcons all season. They lock up with Bluefield. The Beavers are looking for a dozen! Bluefield has 11 state titles under their belt and fans are hungry for another since their last one came in 2017.
In Class A, Wheeling Catholic and Clay-Battelle do battle. The Maroon Knights are one better than the Beavers and are in hot pursuit of a baker’s dozen. The Cee-Bees lost the opener and haven’t tasted defeat since. Ironically, the team that beat them in week one (Chapmanville) was the squad they doubled up 24 to 12 to advance to the championship game!
This past week was Thanksgiving and a trend for many is to name the things they are thankful for in their lives.
I am thankful for an action-packed football season that we have had. For all of the exceptional student-athletes that put in their all all of the time and effort to provide the product on Friday nights. I am also thankful for the exceptional coaches like Rob Hawkins that lead our youth the right way with integrity and honor. They are difference-makers that deserve way more credit than they receive.
I leave you with a thought. Try giving thanks every single day for all that you have. Even the smallest of things are indeed a blessing. If you do that, you will enjoy your life more and you will find even more blessings coming your way!
Until next week . . . Take Care and God Bless!!!!