2023 WV Playoffs Preview: Class AA – Round One
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Well folks, as long as it took for the kickoff of the 2023 regular season it went by in a blink of an eye and now it’s playoff time! 48 teams across three classes have learned their playoff seeding and…
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Continue ReadingWell folks, as long as it took for the kickoff of the 2023 regular season it went by in a blink of an eye and now it’s playoff time! 48 teams across three classes have learned their playoff seeding and opponents and 64 others have played their final down of the 2023 season. Prep Redzone West Virginia will be providing you playoff coverage through the State Championship games on the Island. Let the road to Wheeling, begin!
Here is everything you need to know about the first round playoff matchups for Class AA.
Seeding
#1. North Marion – #2. Fairmont Senior – #3. Roane County – #4. Scott – #5. Weir – #6. Winfield
#7. Mingo Central – #8. East Fairmont – #9. Herbert Hoover – #10. Philip Barbour – #11. Lewis County
#12. Frankfort – #13. Nitro – #14. Independence – #15. Wayne – #16. Lincoln
Matchups
#16 Lincoln (6-4) at #1 North Marion (9-1) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#15 Wayne (6-4) at #2 Fairmont Senior (7-2) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#14 Independence (6-3) at #3 Roane County (9-1) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#13 Nitro (7-3) at #4 Scott (9-1) – Saturday, November 11 at 1:30 p.m.
#12 Frankfort (7-3) at #5 Weir (9-1) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#11 Lewis County (6-4) at #6 Winfield (8-2) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#10 Philip Barbour (8-2) at #7 Mingo Central (8-2) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#9 Herbert Hoover (7-3) at #8 East Fairmont (8-2) – Saturday, November 11 at 4 p.m.
Predictions
#16 Lincoln (6-4) at #1 North Marion (9-1)
We have a regular season rematch between #1 North Marion and #2 Lincoln which saw the North Marion Huskies triumphant 38-17 in week four. The Lincoln Cougars have been roughed up a bit the past two weeks by Class AAA playoff team Bridgeport and #10 Philip Barbour and none of their six wins have come against playoff teams. I think Lincoln will have the same fate as they did in week four and will fall once again to North Marion who bounced them out of the first round of the playoffs last season as well.
Final Score: North Marion 48 Lincoln 7
#15 Wayne (6-4) at #2 Fairmont Senior (7-2)
The Wayne Pioneers will be plenty battle-tested when they make their way to East-West Stadium in Fairmont to take on the Polar Bears of Fairmont Senior. Each of Wayne’s four losses have been close fights with playoff teams but Fairmont Senior is just as tested. Their two losses have been to two Class AAA playoff teams with most of their other games being blowouts. I think Wayne can keep the potent Fairmont Senior offense in check for a while but they can only contain it for so long. Wayne’s first playoff appearance since 2018 will not last long as they’ll fall to a very good Fairmont Senior team in round one.
Final Score: Fairmont Senior 35 Wayne 14
#14 Independence (6-3) at #3 Roane County (9-1)
Roane County got a tough draw as they have to face defending state champion Independence in the first round as the #14 seed in a bit of a rebuilding year for the Patriots. Independence is coming off four straight shutouts and Roane County has limped to the finish line a bit losing their first game of the season to #1 North Marion and battling to the wire with a down Oak Glen team in week 11. This is a tough game to pick but I’ll go with the surging Independence Patriots in this one who have grown accustomed to winning in the playoffs the past two years.
Final Score: Independence 28 Roane County 22
#13 Nitro (7-3) at #4 Scott (9-1)
We have the rare week 11 rematch in the first round of the playoffs in which Nitro upset previously undefeated Scott in the final regular season game. This has the chance to be the best game of the first round of the playoffs in Class AA which has some great matchups. I think Scott may have taken Nitro lightly last week and will be more focused in the playoffs with revenge on their mind. Nitro makes the playoffs for the first time since 2007 with a retooled team and with a majority of their team returning next season 2024 could be the Wildcats’ year. However, this year won’t be as Scott will win the rematch.
Final Score: Scott 42 Nitro 21
#12 Frankfort (7-3) at #5 Weir (9-1)
Here’s another regular season rematch as Frankfort will have to make the long trip from Ridgeley to Weirton again and face the #5 Weir Red Riders who were victorious the first time 35-21. The Red Riders have seen the Wing-T a couple of times this season and should be ready for it again as long as they don’t overlook the Falcons from having already beaten them. This pick makes me nervous but I’ll go with the experienced Red Riders to beat Frankfort again in a close game.
Final Score: Weir 28 Frankfort 21
#11 Lewis County (6-4) at #6 Winfield (8-2)
The Lewis County Minutemen reached the playoffs for their first time since 2019 and looking for their first playoff win since 2012 when they travel to Winfield to take on the Generals. It will be a clash of similar offensive philosophies and maybe the shortest game of the first round with two run-heavy teams. With senior quarterback Chase Massey Chase Massey 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Winfield | 2024 State WV healthy again for Winfield they’ll be looking to go further than the second round this season after being bounced by state runner-up Herbert Hoover last season. This should be a very competitive game that’s played at a 3 yards and a cloud of dust pace. I’ll take the homestanding Winfield Generals to move on but they will have to fight for it.
Final Score: Winfield 35 Lewis County 20
#10 Philip Barbour (8-2) at #7 Mingo Central (8-2)
The Philip Barbour Colts have returned to the playoffs after a 7-year hiatus and they’ll take on a much improved Mingo Central team with a lot of new faces. This is my Class AA Game of the Week for the first round of the playoffs and either team could come out on top. I’ll give the slight edge to the home team but Philip Barbour could prove me wrong.
Final Score: Mingo Central 42 Philip Barbour 35
#9 Herbert Hoover (7-3) at #8 East Fairmont (8-2)
This is another really fun matchup with the potential to get crazy as Herbert Hoover travels to East-West Stadium to face East Fairmont. East Fairmont has made back-to-back playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 seasons and has not won a playoff game since 2007. It will be a tall order to break that trend when 2022 state runner-up Herbert Hoover comes to town but the Bees have a shot to get the win. I think Dane Hatfield Dane Hatfield 6'4" | 185 lbs | ATH Herbert Hoover | 2025 State WV and the Huskies’ offense will be too much to overcome as Herbert Hoover moves onto the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year.
Final Score: Herbert Hoover 41 East Fairmont 28
Players to Watch
#16 Lincoln at #1 North Marion
North Marion
Casey Minor Casey Minor 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB North Marion | 2024 State WV (QB/LB) – 6’1 190 ’24
Aaron Hoffman Aaron Hoffman 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB North Marion | 2024 State WV (RB) – 5’10 165 ’24
Landon Frey Landon Frey 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR North Marion | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’1 205 ’24
Nathan Miller Nathan Miller 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL North Marion | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’4 295 ’24
Brock Martin Brock Martin 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’0 175 ’25
Lincoln
Brayden Edgell Brayden Edgell 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR Lincoln | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’0 160 ’24
Maddox Perine Maddox Perine 6'2" | 220 lbs | TE Lincoln | 2024 State WV (WR/TE) – 6’2 220 ’24
Liam Gallagher Liam Gallagher 6'0" | 195 lbs | K Lincoln | 2024 State WV (K/WR/DE) – 6’0 195 ’24
AJ Bart AJ Bart 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Lincoln | 2026 WV (QB) – 5’11 160 ’26
#15 Wayne at #2 Fairmont Senior
Fairmont Senior
Dylan Ours Dylan Ours 6'1" | 195 lbs | ATH Fairmont Senior | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 6’0 200 ’24
Brody Whitehair Brody Whitehair 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Fairmont | 2025 State WV (QB) – 6’1 185 ’25
Trevor Bigelow Trevor Bigelow 6'4" | 250 lbs | DL Fairmont Sr. | 2025 State WV (DL) – 6’4 240 ’25
Cannon Dinger Cannon Dinger 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’10 160
Damani Johnson Damani Johnson 5'8" | 165 lbs | DB Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’10 170 ’25
Wayne
Jaxson Damron Jaxson Damron 5'11" | 230 lbs | LB Wayne | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 5’11 220 ’24
Colton Mathis Colton Mathis 5'9" | 155 lbs | DB Wayne | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 5’9 160 ’24
Fisher Fry Fisher Fry 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Wayne | 2025 WV (QB/ATH) – 6’0 170 ’25
#14 Independence at #3 Roane County
Roane County
Brandon Richardson Brandon Richardson 5'7" | 170 lbs | DB Roane County | 2024 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’7 160 ’24
Jacob Bunner Jacob Bunner 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL Roane County | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’2 285 ’24
Lane Watson Lane Watson 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Roane County | 2025 State WV (FB/LB) – 6’2 210 ’25
Clay Walker Clay Walker 5'9" | 205 lbs | LB Roane County | 2025 WV (RB/LB) – 5’9 195 ’25
Jacob Greathouse Jacob Greathouse 5'9" | 145 lbs | QB Roane County | 2026 WV (QB/ATH) – 5’9 150 ’26
Independence
Trey Bowers Trey Bowers 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Independence | 2024 State WV (ATH/DB) – 6’0 190 ’24
Tyler Linksweiler Tyler Linksweiler 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Independence | 2024 State WV (RB) – 5’10 180 ’24
Derrick Hypes Derrick Hypes 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Independence | 2024 State WV (LB) – 6’3 225 ’24
Micah Brown Micah Brown 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Independence | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’3 310 ’24
Silas Nelson (QB/ATH) – 6’1 175 ’26
#13 Nitro at #4 Scott
Scott
Matt Frye Matt Frye 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Scott | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’1 180 ’24
Preston Cooper Preston Cooper 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Scott | 2024 State WV (RB) – 6’0 190 ’24
Jax McCarty Jax McCarty 6'4" | 215 lbs | TE Scott | 2024 State WV (TE/DE) – 6’4 220 ’24
Brayden Clark Brayden Clark 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Scott | 2025 State WV (WR) – 6’3 170 ’25
Carson Brinegar Carson Brinegar 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Scott | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’10 180 ’25
Isaiah Bush Isaiah Bush 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Scott | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’11 160 ’25
David Fennessy David Fennessy 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Scott | 2025 State WV (LB) – 5’11 190 ’25
Ty Mitchell Ty Mitchell 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Scott | 2025 State WV (LB) – 6’2 210 ’25
Nitro
Amellio Miller Amellio Miller 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Nitro | 2024 State WV (WR/RB/DB) – 5’10 180 ’24
Xiomar Henry Xiomar Henry 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Nitro | 2024 State WV (LB) – 6’1 200 ’24
Josh Moody Josh Moody 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Nitro | 2025 State WV (QB) – 6’2 195 ’25
Eli Littlejohn Eli Littlejohn 5'7" | 175 lbs | RB Nitro | 2025 State WV (ATH/DB) – 5’7 170 ’25
Braxton Lovejoy Braxton Lovejoy 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Nitro | 2025 State WV (DL) – 6’2 225 ’25
Zaevyon Dickerson Zaevyon Dickerson 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Nitro | 2025 State WV (DB) – 6’1 170
Malachi Thompson Malachi Thompson 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Nitro | 2026 State WV (WR) – 6’4 190 ’26
#12 Frankfort at #5 Weir
Weir
Corey Lyons Corey Lyons 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Weir | 2024 State WV (RB) – 5’8 175 ’24
Malachi Stromile Malachi Stromile 5'9" | 140 lbs | ATH Weir | 2024 State WV (QB/DB) – 5’9 140 ’24
Charles Prentice Jr Charles Prentice Jr 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Weir | 2024 State WV (LB) – 5’11 195 ’24
Devan Colson Devan Colson 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Weir | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’9 165 ’24
Collin Cross (WR/DB) – 5’11 150 ’24
Anthony Zorbini Anthony Zorbini 6'0" | 250 lbs | DL Weir | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 5’11 250 ’24
Alias Pugh Alias Pugh 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Weir | 2024 State WV (DL) – 6’1 200 ’24
Frankfort
Tyrique Powell Tyrique Powell 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Frankfort | 2024 State WV (RB) – 5’10 205 ’24
Rocky Fontenot Rocky Fontenot 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Frankfort | 2024 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’8 155 ’24
Cameron Layton (RB/DE) – 6’1 195 ’24
Hayden Nester Hayden Nester 6'2" | 300 lbs | DL Frankfort | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’3 325 ’24
Landon Kinser (RB/DB) – 6’0 170 ’24
Rhett Sensabaugh Rhett Sensabaugh 6'1" | 150 lbs | K Frankfort | 2026 WV (K) – 5’11 150 ’26
#11 Lewis County at #6 Winfield
Winfield
Chase Massey Chase Massey 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Winfield | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’1 165 ’24
K-Juan Pearson K-Juan Pearson 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Winfield | 2024 State WV (RB) – 5’11 175 ’24
Caleb Kuhl Caleb Kuhl 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Winfield | 2024 State WV (DL) – 6’2 220 ’24
Jayce Miller Jayce Miller 6'0" | 170 lbs | LB Winfield | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 6’2 210 ’24
Toby Laughery Toby Laughery 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE Winfield | 2025 State WV (TE/LB) – 6’4 210 ’25
Tre Tanner Tre Tanner 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Winfield | 2025 State WV (DB) – 5’9 140 ’25
Lewis County
Brayden Carder Brayden Carder 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Lewis County | 2024 State WV (FB/LB) – 6’0 220 ’24
Bryant Zielinski Bryant Zielinski 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Lewis County | 2024 State WV (QB/ATH) – 6’1 165 ’24
Drew Cayton Drew Cayton 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Lewis County | 2024 State WV (RB/DB) – 6’0 190 ’24
Jason Jenkins Jason Jenkins 6'4" | 340 lbs | OL Lewis County | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’4 340 ’24
Maddox Gillespie Maddox Gillespie 6'1" | 230 lbs | DL Lewis County | 2025 State WV (DL) – 6’2 225 ’25
#10 Philip Barbour at #7 Mingo Central
Mingo Central
Chris Ross Chris Ross 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Mingo Central | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’2 195 ’24
Malaki Sheppard Malaki Sheppard 6'3" | 185 lbs | DB Mingo Central | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’5 205 ’24
Dylan Vance Dylan Vance RB Mingo Central | 2025 WV (RB/DB) – ’25
LeQues Strother LeQues Strother 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Mingo Central | 2025 State WV (LB) – 5’11 205 ’25
Aidan Burke Aidan Burke 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Mingo Central | 2026 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’0 170 ’26
Taegan Hackney Taegan Hackney 5'9" | 185 lbs | LB Mingo Central | 2027 WV (LB) – 5’9 175 ’27
Philip Barbour
Kaden Humphreys Kaden Humphreys 5'8" | 165 lbs | ATH Philip Barbour | 2024 State WV (QB/ATH) – 5’8 160 ’24
Nate Hulver Nate Hulver 5'10" | 175 lbs | LB Philip Barbour | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 5’11 185 ’24
Keaton McDermott Keaton McDermott 6'0" | 250 lbs | OL Philip Barbour | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’0 250 ’24
John McGee John McGee 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL Philip Barbour | 2025 State WV (OL) – 6’6 285
Drew Morral Drew Morral 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Philip Barbour | 2025 WV (ATH) – 6’1 170 ’25
TD Bodkins TD Bodkins 6'5" | 210 lbs | TE Philip Barbour | 2025 State WV (TE/DE) – 6’5 220
Cameron Bennett Cameron Bennett 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Philip Barbour | 2026 State WV (ATH) – 5’10 140 ’26
#9 Herbert Hoover at #8 East Fairmont
East Fairmont
Ian Crookshanks Ian Crookshanks 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB East Fairmont | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’0 200 ’24
Hoyt Michael Hoyt Michael 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR East Fairmont | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’11 160 ’24
Avery Brown Avery Brown 6'2" | 215 lbs | TE East Fairmont | 2024 State WV (WR/TE) – 6’2 210
Dominic Fantasia Dominic Fantasia 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (RB) – 6’0 190 ’25
Herbert Hoover
Jaylen Symns Jaylen Symns 5'9" | 155 lbs | WR Herbert Hoover | 2024 WV (WR) – 5’9 155 ’24
Zac Greer Zac Greer 6'0" | 280 lbs | DL Herbert Hoover | 2024 State WV (DL) – ’24
Dane Hatfield Dane Hatfield 6'4" | 185 lbs | ATH Herbert Hoover | 2025 State WV (QB/ATH) – 6’3 190 ’25
Avery Pannell Avery Pannell 5'9" | 185 lbs | WR Herbert Hoover | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’10 175 ’25
Ethan Patrick (LB) – 6’3 200 ’25
Blake Fisher Blake Fisher 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Herbert Hoover | 2026 State WV (ATH) – 5’8 160 ’26