2023 WV Playoffs Preview: Class AAA – 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 AAA.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Matchups</h2>   #8 Bridgeport (10-1) at #1 Cabell Midland (10-1) – Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.   #7 Spring Mills (9-2) at #2 Huntington (10-1) – Saturday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m.   #13 Parkersburg (7-4) at #5 Princeton (10-1) – Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.   #6 Jefferson (9-2) at #3 Martinsburg (10-0) – Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Predictions</h2>   Last Week: 6-2   #8 Bridgeport (10-1) at #1 Cabell Midland (10-1)   This is an intriguing matchup and a rematch from the first round of the playoffs a season ago when #8 Bridgeport travels to Ona to take on the #1 seeded Cabell Midland Knights. Although different schematically, these two will play a very similar brand of football and two hard-nosed teams ready to clash on the gridiron. I think Cabell Midland will come into this game still upset from last season's early exit to the Indians and will get their revenge in 2023 moving on to the semifinals as they last did in 2021. Cabell Midland is just too deep and athletic for Bridgeport this season but the Indians won't go quietly.   Final score: Cabell Midland 21 Bridgeport 14     #7 Spring Mills (9-2) at #2 Huntington (10-1)   The #7 Spring Mills Cardinals have the opportunity to do something they've never done in their short history as a school, make it to the semifinals. Opening in 2013, Spring Mills has made the playoffs just 6 times and has only advanced to the quarterfinals twice including this season. I think they are poised to make a big run in 2024 when the bulk of their talent returns but the Huntington Highlanders have playoff success in their DNA and are primed to defend their state title from a season ago. With a big potential matchup with Martinsburg next week, Huntington will not look ahead and will move past Spring Mills in the quarterfinals.   Final Score: Huntington 35 Spring Mills 7     #13 Parkersburg (7-4) at #5 Princeton (10-1)   The best game of the Class AAA quarterfinals will be when #13 Parkersburg travels to #5 Princeton on Friday night. The Parkersburg Big Reds got the upset win over #4 Hurricane in round one and looked poised to make a run in the playoffs. There should be plenty of offensive firepower and fireworks on display in this one as the victor will be whoever has the ball last. Both quarterbacks will have plenty of weapons to throw to and I foresee a few athletes from this game making our playoff standouts article next week. Parkersburg quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='370254' first='David' last='Parsons'] and Princeton receiver [player_tooltip player_id='880797' first='Dominick' last='Collins'] will be worth the price of admission in this one but give me the Big Reds to continue their underdog story and move on to the semifinals for the first time since 2007.   Final Score: Parkersburg 49 Princeton 42     #6 Jefferson (9-2) at #3 Martinsburg (10-0)   The #6 Jefferson Cougars have never made the semifinals and they'll have a tough rematch from the regular season with fellow Eastern Panhandle foe #3 Martinsburg. The Cougars fell to the Bulldogs 57-14 in week 5 but have rattled off 7 straight wins since then. I think they'll be more competitive in this game at least for a half but the Bulldogs are just too stout and talented for the Cougars this season.   Final Score: Martinsburg 48 Jefferson 14     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Player of the Game Predictions</h2>   #8 Bridgeport (10-1) at #1 Cabell Midland (10-1)   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='866263' first='Curtis' last='Jones Jr'] - Cabell Midland '24 RB/LB   I see this matchup as being a low-scoring game and that bodes well for Cabell Midland senior RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='866263' first='Curtis' last='Jones Jr']. The Knights will likely lean on him heavily in this game in a battle of the trenches and Jones Jr behind his big body and P5 athleticism should be able to pound a few touchdowns in and get some tough yards amongst the chaos. Bridgeport's [player_tooltip player_id='866482' first='Zach' last='Rohrig'] and Cabell Midland QB [player_tooltip player_id='370253' first='Robert' last='Shockey'] have strong cases too but I think this game lends to a power back which is why I went with Jones Jr.   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='370285' first='Cannon' last='Lewis'] - Cabell Midland '24 LB   Cabell Midland will double dip in this game with both offensive and defensive players of the game with [player_tooltip player_id='866263' first='Curtis' last='Jones Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='370285' first='Cannon' last='Lewis']. Both will head to P5 football programs after graduation and you'll see why this game. Lewis could flirt with 20+ tackles in this one with Bridgeport's single-wing offense with plenty of opportunities to make stops. Lewis is a physical player and should be able to hold up well in this physical battle.     #7 Spring Mills (9-2) at #2 Huntington (10-1)   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='370477' first='Zah' last='Jackson'] - Huntington '25 RB/DB   With star senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='370321' first='Duane' last='Harris'] unfortunately injured, Huntington will have to rely on their plethora of other athletes to fill that void the rest of the season. There are a number of options on the Highlanders' roster but none better than future P5 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='370477' first='Zah' last='Jackson']. The junior will line up at running back and defensive back and is as good of a runner as he is a defender. Spring Mills has some good defensive backs which could slow the Huntington passing attack but they'll gladly hand it off to Jackson and let him make plays on the ground.   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='865709' first='Max' last='Anderson'] - Spring Mills '25 ATH   I think Huntington will score some points in this game so picking a Spring Mills defender as the defensive player of the game is bold but junior ATH [player_tooltip player_id='865709' first='Max' last='Anderson'] is special for the Cardinals. He could be the offensive player of the game if the Highlanders can't contain his running ability but don't overlook his play as a defensive back. Anderson has had several interceptions this season and could come up with a turnover or two while trying to keep his team in this game.     #13 Parkersburg (7-4) at #5 Princeton (10-1)   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='880797' first='Dominick' last='Collins'] '24 WR   This was a tough choice between Princeton's [player_tooltip player_id='880797' first='Dominick' last='Collins'] and Parkerburg's [player_tooltip player_id='370254' first='David' last='Parsons'] but Collins is the state's leader in receiving yards and touchdowns and could create a lot of issues for Parkersburg's defense. I expect Parkersburg to bracket Collins to Princeton and will have to get creative with how they line him up and get him the ball. They could even hand it off to him at times to get the ball in his hands easier alongside [player_tooltip player_id='907182' first='Marquel' last='Lowe'].   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='892315' first='Andrew' last='Stalnaker'] - Parkersburg '24 ATH   I debated between both Stalnaker twins for this pick since Princeton will try to throw the ball around which sets up both well for both of them being long and athletic LB/DBs. Ultimately, I went with Andrew since he has had a knack for the ball this season with 5 INTs and tied with his twin brother as leading tackler with 92 a piece. He can be impactful in defending Princeton's talented run game but also help slow down Collins and Co. in the passing game.     #6 Jefferson (9-2) at #3 Martinsburg (10-0)   Offense: [player_tooltip player_id='865706' first='Koi' last='Fagan'] - Martinsburg '25 ATH   This might be an under-the-radar pick for offensive player of the game going with junior ATH [player_tooltip player_id='865706' first='Koi' last='Fagan'] of Martinsburg. Fagan can do a lot of things for the Bulldogs and will be in contention to be their starting quarterback next season when [player_tooltip player_id='370309' first='Murphy' last='Clement'] graduates. For now, he's getting most of his touches as a running back, and with his 4.4 speed that's no surprise. If this game gets out of hand like it did in the first meeting this season I could see Fagan getting plenty of touches later in the game after the starters get pulled.   Defense: [player_tooltip player_id='888165' first='Rashad' last='Reid'] - Martinsburg '24 DL   There were plenty of options for defensive player of the game from the Bulldogs but [player_tooltip player_id='888165' first='Rashad' last='Reid'] will wreak havoc on Jefferson's offensive line. Coming off back-to-back EPAC Defensive Players of the Year awards, Reid can rush the passer and is very good at defending the run. I think Jefferson will have to throw early and often if they get behind on the scoreboard which will let Reid tee off on the Jefferson offensive line. He should have a few TFLs and a sack or two in this one.

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!