2023 WV Playoffs Preview: Class AA – Semifinals
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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 playoff semifinal matchups for Class AA.
Matchups
#14 Independence (8-3) at #2 Fairmont Senior (9-2) – Friday, 7:30
#5 Weir (11-1) at #1 North Marion (11-1) – Saturday, 7:30
Game Predictions
Last Week: 2/4 Correct Picks
#14 Independence (8-3) at #2 Fairmont Senior (9-2)
This matchup will be a tale of two different mindsets that each team has for each other. Last season, Independence shut down Fairmont Senior in the quarterfinals before winning their first-ever state championship and in 2021 Fairmont Senior defeated Independence in the state championship game. This will be the 4th-straight year that these two will do battle in the playoffs with Fairmont Senior holding a 2-1 lead in the recent series. Fairmont Senior will have revenge on their mind and Independence will want to defend their title and make it back to Wheeling. I think Fairmont Senior is just a little too much for Independence this season even though they are on fire as of late.
Final Score: Fairmont Senior 42 Independence 20
#5 Weir (11-1) at #1 North Marion (11-1)
The #5 Weir Red Riders surprised many people including myself when they made the long hike to Madison and upset the #4 Scott Skyhawks on their home turf 35-33. The Weir team certainly were not surprised by the result and were confident they could take care of business. They’ll bring that confidence with them when they travel to Rachel to face #1 North Marion for a trip to the Class AA state championship. North Marion has not made the state championship game since 1997 and Weir hasn’t since 2005. It wouldn’t be smart to pick against any of these teams right now but give me the North Marion Huskies to move on and make their way to Wheeling.
Final Score: North Marion 34 Weir 14
Underrated Prospects
#1 North Marion
Landon Frey Landon Frey 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR North Marion | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’1 190 ’24
Aaron Hoffman Aaron Hoffman 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB North Marion | 2024 State WV (RB) – 5’9 165 ’24
Brandon Matheny Brandon Matheny 5'10" | 235 lbs | OL North Marion | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 5’10 230 ’24
Jeffrey Cowger Jeffrey Cowger 6'3" | 180 lbs | LB Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (WR/DE) – 6’2 180 ’25
Trevor Mullet (RB/DB) – 5’11 165 ’25
#2 Fairmont Senior
Gavin Michael Gavin Michael 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Fairmont Senior | 2024 WV (WR/DB) – 6’1 175 ’24
Jozef Richmond Jozef Richmond 5'11" | 240 lbs | OL Fairmont Senior | 2024 State WV (OL) – 5’11 240 ’24
Damani Johnson Damani Johnson 5'8" | 165 lbs | DB Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’10 170 ’25
Chris Wilson Chris Wilson 5'8" | 195 lbs | RB Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (Rb/DB) – 5’7 185 ’25
Navaughn Jones Navaughn Jones 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Fairmont Senior | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’11 170 ’25
Kaleb Arbogast Kaleb Arbogast 5'11" | 230 lbs | OL Fairmont Senior | 2025 WV (OL/DL) – 5’11 230 ’25
Powers Dawson (OL/DL) – 6’0 250 ’25
#5 Weir
Devan Colson Devan Colson 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Weir | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’9 165 ’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 (OL/DL) – 6’1 200 ’24
Kamar Bridges Kamar Bridges 5'9" | 165 lbs | LB Weir | 2024 State WV (TE/LB) – 5’11 160 ’24
Damir Mowder Damir Mowder 6'1" | 215 lbs | TE Weir | 2025 State WV (WR/LB) – 6’0 180 ’25
#14 Independence
Connor Bradford Connor Bradford 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Independence | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 5’8 180 ’24
Silas Nelson (QB/ATH) – 6’1 175 ’26
Christian Linksweiler Christian Linksweiler 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Independence | 2026 State WV (WR) – 5’11 165 ’26
Landon Riddle Landon Riddle 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Independence | 2026 State WV (TE/LB) – 6’0 170 ’26
Alex Blankenship (OL/DL) – 6’1 255 ’26
Landon Phalin Landon Phalin 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Independence | 2026 WV (TE) – 6’0 200 ’26