2023 WV Playoffs Preview: Class AA – Round Two

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 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 second round playoff matchups for Class AA.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Matchups</h2>   #9 Herbert Hoover (8-3) at #1 North Marion (10-1) – Saturday, November 18 at 4 p.m.   #5 Weir (10-1) #4 Scott (10-1) – Saturday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m.   #14 Independence (7-3) at #6 Winfield (9-2) – Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.   #10 Philip Barbour (9-2 ) #2 Fairmont Senior (8-2) – Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Predictions</h2>   Last Week: 7-1   #9 Herbert Hoover at #1 North Marion   This is a very intriguing matchup and don't let Herbert Hoover's #9 seed fool you, they are a very dangerous team behind the play of junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='370479' first='Dane' last='Hatfield']. This is a regular season rematch from week 9 which saw North Marion eke out a 21-14 win at Roy Michael Field. The "Huskies Bowl" will again happen at North Marion's home turf and if you love hard-nosed quarterbacks this is your game to watch. Give me the Huskies of North Marion behind of the play of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='370356' first='Casey' last='Minor'] to defeat the red and blue Huskies of Herbert Hoover for the second time this season in a thriller.   Final Score: North Marion 34 Herbert Hoover 28     #5 Weir at #4 Scott   The #5 Weir Red Riders will make the long trek to Madison to take on the #4 Scott Skyhawks who successfully got revenge on Nitro who ended their undefeated season in the final regular season game. Weir enjoys pounding the ball on the ground while Scott has a fantastic aerial attack with athletes all over the field. It will be a contrast of style but Scott is just too deep and athletic for Weir this season and will make the semifinals for the first time since 2007.   Final Score: Scott 35 Weir 21     #14 Independence at #6 Winfield   The #14 Independence Patriots got the big upset win over #3 Roane County in the opening round of the Class A Playoffs but will see an upgraded version of them in the quarterfinals against Winfield. Independence will see a very similar offensive scheme as they did in the first round when they face Winfield and the Patriots are still trying to defend their state title from a year ago. These two haven't faced each other since 1992 with Independence holding a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series. Streaks are meant to be broken and Winfield will move on to the semifinals since their last appearance in 1988 albeit in a very back-and-forth game.   Final Score: Winfield 35 Independence 27     #10 Philip Barbour at #2 Fairmont Senior   The #10 Philip Barbour Colts made history in their round one win over Mingo Central. It was their first playoff win in school history since opening in 1963. They'll travel back to East-West Stadium to face Fairmont Senior where they suffered one of their two losses to East Fairmont in a 46-36 thriller. The Colts have been a great story this season with plenty of talent returning next year for another run but the Polar Bears of Fairmont Senior will play spoiler in this one. Give me Fairmont Senior and their history of playoff success to move on to the semifinals for the 8th time since 2015.   Final Score: Fairmont Senior 49 Philip Barbour 20     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Player of the Game Predictions</h2>   #9 Herbert Hoover at #1 North Marion   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='370479' first='Dane' last='Hatfield'] - Herbert Hoover '25 QB/ATH   As I said in the Game Predictions, this game will be a battle of the quarterbacks and that's who Herbert Hoover likes to lean on with junior [player_tooltip player_id='370479' first='Dane' last='Hatfield']. He's a big-bodied athlete that can carry the ball 30+ times in a game if he needs to with the speed and power to run around you or over you. I think it will be difficult to pass on North Marion's secondary so a heavy dose of Hatfield's legs is likely in this matchup. Look for Herbert Hoover to go with him early and often to try and slow this game down and eat the clock.   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='370356' first='Casey' last='Minor'] - North Marion '24 QB/LB   Across from Hatfield in a similar role will be North Marion quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='370356' first='Casey' last='Minor'] who doubles as a QB and LB for his Huskies. Minor will get his on offense too but I see him being very important manning the middle of North Marion's defense at middle linebacker to try to slow the running of Hatfield and Co. I foresee these two colliding on the field literally multiple times and Minor should rack up some tackles in this one assuming they keep playing him both ways.   #5 Weir at #4 Scott   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='909079' first='Carson' last='Brinegar'] - Scott '25 ATH   I'm going to double-dip with these picks in favor of Scott although Weir will have something to say about that. Weir has some good athletes in their secondary that can match up with Scott's potent passing attack but [player_tooltip player_id='909079' first='Carson' last='Brinegar'] is a nice RB/WR hybrid player for them and should see touches in both of those aspects in this game. The speedy junior is a homerun hitter for the Skyhawks and will make some splash plays in this contest and could be what breaks this game open for Scott.   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='908993' first='David' last='Fennessy'] - Scott '25 LB   There are plenty of athletes to choose from on Scott's defense that could be the Defensive Player of the Game in this matchup but I really like junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='908993' first='David' last='Fennessy'] who is a bit of an LB/Safety hybrid for the Skyhawks. I could see Weir having to throw more often than they are comfortable with if they get behind on the scoreboard which bodes well for Fennessy who can stop the run and drop into coverage. Look for him to have quite a few tackles and possibly some pass breakups and a forced turnover.   #14 Independence at #6 Winfield   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='938593' first='K-Juan' last='Pearson'] - Winfield '24 RB   There should be some offensive fireworks in this matchup of Winfield and Independence with two very different styles of offense. The Generals like to run some Triple-Option and Veer and Shoot which will be hard for Independence to prepare for in a week. Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='938593' first='K-Juan' last='Pearson'] is Winfield's main ball carrier especially if senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='865459' first='Chase' last='Massey'] is banged up. Pearson had a huge performance in round one and I see him having the same outcome in the quarterfinals.   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='892320' first='Derrick' last='Hypes'] - Independence '24 LB   I haven't heard a lot about senior Independence middle linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='892320' first='Derrick' last='Hypes'] this season but assuming he's healthy he should be the key cog in the Patriots' defense in this matchup against an option offense. The Independence defensive line and linebackers will have to be on their A game in this one if they want to contain Winfield's tricky scheme. They'll bounce the ball outside quite a bit but Hypes should see a lot of action inside too.   #10 Philip Barbour at #2 Fairmont Senior   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='370355' first='Dylan' last='Ours'] - Fairmont Senior '24 RB/LB   I don't like picking two players from the same team in these predictions but Fairmont Senior will have two of the best players on the field with senior RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='370355' first='Dylan' last='Ours'] and junior WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='907233' first='Cannon' last='Dinger']. Ours could likely be the player of the game on both sides of the ball in this matchup but his play on offense this season has been stellar for the Polar Bears. Philip Barbour has some nice athletes in their secondary and I'm sure the Fairmont Senior passing game will have their fair share of success but I look for Ours to get some carries and some catches in this one for a big game.   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='907233' first='Cannon' last='Dinger'] - Fairmont Senior '25 WR/DB   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='907233' first='Cannon' last='Dinger'] has been electric for the Fairmont Senior Polar Bears this season on offense and defense and probably even special teams at times too. I predict he has a big night on both sides of the ball but my gut feeling is Philip Barbour will have to throw the ball to try and stay in this game which gives Dinger the opportunity for some interceptions. He can make a house call any time he touches the ball so be weary when the ball is in his hands regardless of where he is on the field and which side he's playing on.

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 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!