2023 WV Playoffs Preview: Class AAA – 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 AAA.
Seeding
#1. Cabell Midland – #2. Huntington – #3. Martinsburg – #4. Hurricane – #5. Princeton – #6. Jefferson
#7. Spring Mills – #8. Bridgeport – #9. George Washington – #10. Spring Valley – #11. Wheeling Park
#12. Oak Hill – #13. Parkersburg – #14. Parkersburg South – #15. Morgantown – #16. Musselman
Matchups
#16 Musselman (4-6) at #1 Cabell Midland (9-1) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#15 Morgantown (7-3) #No. 2 Huntington (9-1) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#14 Parkersburg South (6-4) at #3 Martinsburg (9-0) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#13 Parkersburg (6-4) at #4 Hurricane (8-2) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#12 Oak Hill (8-2) at #5 Princeton (9-1) – Saturday, November 11 at 1:30 p.m.
#11 Wheeling Park (7-2) at #6 Jefferson (8-2) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#10 Spring Valley (6-4) at #7 Spring Mills (8-2) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
#9 George Washington (6-4) at #8 Bridgeport (9-1) – Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Predictions
#16 Musselman (4-6) at #1 Cabell Midland (9-1)
The Musselman Applemen just made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth and have the pleasure of traveling to the opposite end of the state to face #1 Cabell Midland. The Cabell Midland Knights still have a sour taste in their mouth after being bounced in the first round last year by Bridgeport and have their eyes set on Wheeling Island this season. Cabell Midland has a handful of D1 talent and doesn’t have a true weak spot in their lineup. I’ll take the Knights in this round-one matchup behind the running of seniors Robert Shockey Robert Shockey 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Cabell Midland | 2024 State WV and Curtis Jones Jr Curtis Jones Jr 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Cabell Midland | 2024 State WV .
Final Score: Cabell Midland 42 Musselman 7
#15 Morgantown (7-3) #No. 2 Huntington (9-1)
The Huntington Highlanders are looking to make their way to The Island for the third straight year in a row as they look to defend their state title win from a year ago. Morgantown has the athletes and size up front to be pesky and is looking for their first playoff win since 2016. I think the Mohigans can keep the game close for a bit but Huntington will flex its muscles in the end even with star receiver Wayne Harris injured.
Final Score: Huntington 38 Morgantown 10
#14 Parkersburg South (6-4) at #3 Martinsburg (9-0)
The Parkersburg South Patriots have the tall order of traveling to the eastern panhandle to face perennial power Martinsburg in the opening round of the playoffs. The Bulldogs have won 9 state titles since 2010 and aren’t happy about losing to Huntington in the semifinals a season ago. Parkersburg South has taken a step back after falling in the state championship game last year to Huntington but they have enough athletes this season that should prevent Martinsburg from overlooking them. Star senior running back Gage Wright Gage Wright 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Parkersburg South | 2024 State WV will get his for Parkersburg South but the Martinsburg Bulldogs are too deep and too athletic for the Patriots this season.
Final Score: Martinsburg 52 Parkersburg South 21
#13 Parkersburg (6-4) at #4 Hurricane (8-2)
The Hurricane Redskins have enough talent to make their first-ever trip to the state championship game but they’ll have to get past a very solid Parkersburg team first in the first round. This game has the potential to get weird and a possible upset in the making. The winner of this matchup may be whoever has the ball last and that will be the Hurricane Redskins as they advance to the second round for the second straight year.
Final Score: Hurricane 35 Parkersburg 31
#12 Oak Hill (8-2) at #5 Princeton (9-1)
The Oak Hill Red Devils have been a fun story to follow this season as they make the playoffs for the first time ever as a AAA school. This will be a regular season rematch with Princeton from week 3 which saw Princeton win 42-28. Oak Hill lost a tough one to University in week 11 which bumped them from hosting a playoff game so they’ll either be mad or bummed out in this game. I can’t imagine Oak Hill not being ready for potential revenge against Princeton so I expect the Tigers to get their best shot. I think the duo of senior WR Dominick Collins Dominick Collins 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Princeton | 2024 State WV and junior RB Marquel Lowe Marquel Lowe 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Princeton | 2025 State WV will be too much for Oak Hill again and Princeton will move on to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Final Score: Princeton 49 Oak Hill 21
#11 Wheeling Park (7-2) at #6 Jefferson (8-2)
There isn’t a hotter team in the state right now than the Wheeling Park Patriots and that’s not what the Jefferson Cougars want to see when they host them in round one. This should be an awesome high school football game with athletes flying around on both sides of the ball. Wheeling Park’s big four of JR QB Aiden Davis Aiden Davis 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Wheeling Park | 2025 OH , SO RB Amar’e Johnson Amar’e Johnson 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Wheeling Park | 2026 State WV , SR WR Mykel Davis Mykel Davis 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV , and SR WR Keohn Stephens Jr Keohn Stephens Jr 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV versus Jefferson’s big four of JR QB Dylan Harich Dylan Harich 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Jefferson | 2025 State WV , JR RB Tay’Shaun Roper Tay’Shaun Roper 5'7" | 175 lbs | RB Jefferson | 2025 State WV , SR RB Rodrigo Delgado Rodrigo Delgado 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Jefferson | 2024 State WV , and SR WR Keyshawn Robinson Keyshawn Robinson 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Jefferson | 2024 State WV will be quite the clash. Wheeling Park still has a bad taste after being upset in the first round of the playoffs last season when they also made the long trip to the eastern panhandle to face Musselman. I think this is a coin flip game but Wheeling Park will get the upset and their first playoff win since winning the state championship in 2015.
Final Score: Wheeling Park 38 Jefferson 28
#10 Spring Valley (6-4) at #7 Spring Mills (8-2)
We have the Battle of the Springs in this round-one matchup as Spring Valley makes the long trip to the eastern panhandle to face Spring Mills. The Spring Mills Cardinals are having their best season in school history behind star junior quarterback Max Anderson Max Anderson 6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH Spring Mills | 2025 State WV and will not want to end their storybook season early. However, the Spring Valley Timberwolves have had a winning tradition since 2012 and made the state championship game three times in that time frame. This isn’t one of their best teams in recent memory but they can still go toe-to-toe with just about anyone in the state. Spring Mills have only made it past the first round of the playoffs once in their short history as a school and they’ll make it twice when they defeat Spring Valley.
Final Score: Spring Mills 27 Spring Valley 21
#9 George Washington (6-4) at #8 Bridgeport (9-1)
It’s going to be very tough for George Washington to prepare for Bridgeport’s single-wing offense and level of physicality in just a week’s time but the Patriots have the talent to be very competitive in this game. George Washington will have the athlete advantage in this game but Bridgeport’s toughness and physicality will prove to be too much for the Patriots. Give me the Bridgeport Indians to move onto the second round for the third straight season as an AAA school.
Final Score: Bridgeport 35 George Washington 17
Players to Watch
#16 Musselman at #1 Cabell Midland
Cabell Midland
Robert Shockey Robert Shockey 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Cabell Midland | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’2 195 ’24
Curtis Jones Jr Curtis Jones Jr 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Cabell Midland | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 6’2 210 ’24
Cannon Lewis Cannon Lewis 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Cabell Midland | 2024 State WV (LB) – 6’2 215 ’24
Michael Lunsford Michael Lunsford 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Cabell Midland | 2024 State WV (DL) – 6’2 245 ’24
Musselman
Troy Woolaston Troy Woolaston 6'4" | 205 lbs | DL Musselman | 2024 State WV (TE/DE) – 6’4 205
Michael Thompson Michael Thompson 6'6" | 175 lbs | QB Musselman | 2025 State WV (QB) – 6’6 170 ’25
Isaah Beard Isaah Beard 5'9" | 145 lbs | WR Musselman | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’10 140 ’25
Zavier Pollard Zavier Pollard 5'11" | 250 lbs | DL Martinsburg | 2025 State WV (DL) – 6’1 250 ’25
#15 Morgantown #No. 2 Huntington
Huntington
Robby Martin Robby Martin 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Huntington | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’4 290 ’24
Malik McNeely Malik McNeely 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Huntington | 2024 State WV (WR) – 6’3 190 ’24
Jonny Aya-ay Jonny Aya-ay 5'9" | 155 lbs | K Huntington | 2024 State WV (K) – 5’11 175 ’24
Zah Jackson Zah Jackson 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Huntington | 2025 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’11 180 ’25
Avonte Crawford Avonte Crawford 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Huntington | 2025 State WV (QB) – 6’3 180 ’25
Aryn McPherson Aryn McPherson 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Huntington | 2026 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’2 290 ’26
Morgantown
Robert Powell Robert Powell 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB Morgantown | 2024 State WV (ATH/DB) – 5’10 170 ’24
Braylon Brown Braylon Brown 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Morgantown | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’2 300 ’24
Andrew Phares Andrew Phares 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Morgantown | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’9 165 ’24
Maddox Bowers Maddox Bowers 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Morgantown | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’0 190 ’24
Jaylon Hill Jaylon Hill 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Morgantown | 2024 State WV (LB) – 6’0 205 ’24
Caleb Nutter Caleb Nutter 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Morgantown | 2024 State WV (FB/LB) – 5’11 210
Aaron Thomas Aaron Thomas 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Morgantown | 2025 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’10 190 ’25
#14 Parkersburg South at #3 Martinsburg
Martinsburg
Murphy Clement Murphy Clement 5'11" | 190 lbs | ATH Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (QB/DB) – 6’0 200 ’24
Sirod Musgrove Sirod Musgrove 5'11" | 140 lbs | DB Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’10 160 ’24
Amar Dover Amar Dover 5'10" | 185 lbs | DB Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’11 170 ’24
Rashad Reid Rashad Reid 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (DL) – 6’0 285 ’24
Wes Hancock Wes Hancock 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’5 310 ’24
Kash Gedeon Kash Gedeon 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR Martinsburg | 2025 State WV (WR) – 6’0 190 ‘25
EJ Hendrix EJ Hendrix 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’1 255 ’24
Brady Breeden Brady Breeden 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL Martinsburg | 2025 State WV (OL) – 6’6 300 ’25
Koi Fagan Koi Fagan 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Martinsburg | 2025 State WV (ATH) – 6’1 180 ’25
Parkersburg South
Gage Wright Gage Wright 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Parkersburg South | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 6’0 200 ’24
Turner Garretson Turner Garretson 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB Parkersburg South | 2024 State WV (QB/LB) – 6’0 215 ’24
Triston Walker Triston Walker 6'5" | 180 lbs | WR Parkersburg South | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’4 180 ’24
Dylan Fleak Dylan Fleak 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Parkersburg South | 2024 State WV (WR/LB) – 5’11 180 ’24
Devon Forshey Devon Forshey 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Parkersburg South | 2025 State WV (WR) – 6’1 175 ’25
Eli Bartley (RB) – 6’0 185 ’25
Cole Middleton (LB) – 5’11 185 ’25
#13 Parkersburg at #4 Hurricane
Hurricane
JacQai Long JacQai Long 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Hurricane | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’2 210 ’24
Aaron Clark Aaron Clark 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Hurricane | 2024 State WV (DL) – 5’11 300 ’24
Tyshawn Dues Tyshawn Dues 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Hurricane | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’11 170 ’25
Noah Vellaithambi Noah Vellaithambi 5'11" | 205 lbs | ATH Hurricane | 2025 State WV (ATH) – 6’0 205 ’25
Shalik Hampton Shalik Hampton 6'4" | 225 lbs | DL Hurricane | 2025 State WV (TE/DL) – 6’4 225 ’25
Da’Ron Parks Da’Ron Parks 6'5" | 270 lbs | OL Hurricane | 2026 State WV (OL) – 6’4 270 ’26
Laron Dues Laron Dues 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Hurricane | 2026 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’9 170 ’26
Parkersburg
David Parsons David Parsons 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Parkersburg | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’3 230 ’24
Anthony Ice Anthony Ice 5'9" | 170 lbs | WR Parkersburg | 2024 State WV (WR) – 5’9 165 ’24
Andrew Stalnaker Andrew Stalnaker 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Parkersburg | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’3 180 ’24
Matthew Stalnaker Matthew Stalnaker 6'3" | 180 lbs | LB Parkersburg | 2024 State WV (TE/LB) – 6’3 180 ’24
Casey Stanley Casey Stanley 6'2" | 175 lbs | K Parkersburg | 2024 State WV (K/WR/DB) – 6’2 2180 ’24
Caleb Norman Caleb Norman 6'8" | 300 lbs | OL Parkersburg | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’8 290 ’24
Jason Williams Jason Williams 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Parkersburg | 2024 State WV (RB/DE) – 5’9 190 ’24
#12 Oak Hill at #5 Princeton
Princeton
Dominick Collins Dominick Collins 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Princeton | 2024 State WV (WR) – 5’10 165 ’24
Eli Campbell Eli Campbell 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Princeton | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’3 290 ’24
Marquel Lowe Marquel Lowe 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Princeton | 2025 State WV (RB) – 5’11 185 ’25
Chance Barker Chance Barker 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB Princeton | 2026 State WV (QB) – 6’2 170 ’26
Brad Mosser (WR) – 5’11 165 ’26
Oak Hill
Malachi Lewis Malachi Lewis 6'0" | 145 lbs | DB Oak Hill | 2024 State WV (QB/ATH) – 6’0 170 ’24
Elijah Gray Elijah Gray 5'7" | 140 lbs | DB Oak Hill | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’7 155 ’24
Desmond Mack Desmond Mack 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Oak Hill | 2024 State WV (OL) – 6’5 295 ’24
David Spaulding David Spaulding 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Oak Hill | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’9 170 ’24
JD Mauritz JD Mauritz 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Oak Hill | 2025 State WV (RB/LB) – 6’0 205 ’25
#11 Wheeling Park at #6 Jefferson
Jefferson
Keyshawn Robinson Keyshawn Robinson 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Jefferson | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’11 170 ’24
Quintin Goins Quintin Goins 6'3" | 250 lbs | DL Jefferson | 2024 State WV (DL) – 6’3 250 ’24
Rodrigo Delgado Rodrigo Delgado 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Jefferson | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 6’0 195 ’24
Nolan Meehleib Nolan Meehleib 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Jefferson | 2024 State WV (LB) – 6’1 205 ’24
Tay’Shaun Roper Tay’Shaun Roper 5'7" | 175 lbs | RB Jefferson | 2025 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’9 170 ’25
Nycere Jacobs Nycere Jacobs 6'0" | 195 lbs Jefferson | 2025 VA (LB) – 6’0 210 ’25
Wheeling Park
Mykel Davis Mykel Davis 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV (WR) – 6’2 180 ’24
Keohn Stephens Jr Keohn Stephens Jr 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’10 160 ’24
Derek Croghan Derek Croghan 6'5" | 320 lbs | OL Wheeling Park | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’3 320 ’24
Aiden Davis Aiden Davis 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Wheeling Park | 2025 OH (QB) – 5’10 165 ’25
Jameson Maynard Jameson Maynard 6'1" | 185 lbs | LB Wheeling Park | 2025 State WV (HB/LB) – 6’1 190 ’25
Amar’e Johnson Amar’e Johnson 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Wheeling Park | 2026 State WV (RB) – 5’10 175 ’26
#10 Spring Valley at #7 Spring Mills
Spring Mills
Alex Eaton Alex Eaton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Spring Mills | 2024 State WV (RB/LB) – 5’9 175 ’24
Max Anderson Max Anderson 6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH Spring Mills | 2025 State WV (QB/ATH) – 6’0 190 ’25
Prophet Guillaume Prophet Guillaume 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Spring Mills | 2025 State WV (DL) – 6’4 220 ’25
Xavier Anderson Xavier Anderson 6'6" | 190 lbs | ATH Spring Mills | 2026 State WV (WR/DL) – 6’6 190
Spring Valley
Tate Adkins Tate Adkins 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Spring Valley | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’4 180 ’24
Sam Booth Sam Booth 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Spring Valley | 2024 State WV (TE/LB) – 6’2 225 ’24
Ethan Null Ethan Null 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Spring Valley | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’9 155 ’24
Braeden Booth Braeden Booth 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Spring Valley | 2025 State WV (LB) – 5’9 180 ’25
Jalyn Abercrombie Jalyn Abercrombie 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Spring Valley | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 5’11 175 ’25
#9 George Washington at #8 Bridgeport
Bridgeport
Zach Rohrig Zach Rohrig 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Bridgeport | 2024 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’10 180 ’24
Aidan Sparks Aidan Sparks 6'1" | 210 lbs | DL Bridgeport | 2024 State WV (TE/DE) – 6’1 205 ’24
Beau Ford Beau Ford 6'0" | 245 lbs | DL Bridgeport | 2024 State WV (DL) – 6’0 250 ’24
Wes Brown Jr Wes Brown Jr 5'11" | 280 lbs | DL Bridgeport | 2025 State WV (OL/DL) – 5’10 275 ’25
Josh Love Josh Love 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Bridgeport | 2025 State WV (RB/LB) – 5’9 175 ’25
George Washington
Abraham Fenwick Abraham Fenwick 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB George Washington | 2024 State WV (QB) – 6’3 200 ’24
Anthony Valentine Anthony Valentine 5'10" | 200 lbs | ATH George Washington | 2024 State WV (RB/DB) – 5’10 195 ’24
Keegan Sack Keegan Sack 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Huntington | 2025 State WV (ATH) – 5’10 195 ’25
Hunter Giacomo Hunter Giacomo 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB George Washington | 2025 State WV (LB/S) – 6’0 185 ’25
Solomon Ferrell Solomon Ferrell 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB George Washington | 2025 State WV (DB) – 6’2 170 ’25
Guner Flores Guner Flores 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB George Washington | 2025 State WV (LB) – 6’1 205 ’25