2023 WV Playoffs Preview: Class AAA – 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 AAA.
Matchups
#8 Bridgeport (11-1) at #5 Princeton (11-1) – Friday, 7:30
#3 Martinsburg (11-0) at #2 Huntington (11-1) – Saturday, 1:30
Game Predictions
Last Week: 2/4 Correct Picks
#8 Bridgeport (11-1) at #5 Princeton (11-1)
The #8 Bridgeport Indians are accustomed to winning state championships but they still have one more thing to accomplish before WV moves to a 4-class system, win an AAA state championship in the 16-team playoff. They’ve won AAA state championships in 1972 with the 4-team playoff and 1979 with the 8-team playoff but have yet to win one in the 16-team playoff as an AAA school. Bridgeport has bounced back and forth between AA and AAA for decades but that’s one of the very few feats they have yet to accomplish. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Princeton has made its first semifinal in school history and has never made it to the state championship game let alone win one. This will be a battle of completely opposite offensive identities and should be a great game with a close finish. Princeton won this matchup last year in the regular season 34-29 but I would not bet against Bridgeport right now. Give me the Indians and their well-oiled single-wing offense to head to Wheeling for the state championship.
Final Score: Bridgeport 35 Princeton 28
#3 Martinsburg (11-0) at #2 Huntington (11-1)
Many folks are calling this the actual 2023 state championship game happening in the semifinals when #3 Martinsburg travels to #2 Huntington for a 2022 semifinals rematch which saw Huntington win 28-21 at home. I think the two teams on the opposite side of the bracket would have something to say about that theory but both of these teams are loaded with talent and have playoff success in their DNA. Huntington is still defending their state championship title from a year ago and has been quite familiar with the city of Wheeling for the past two years. I would have loved to see this game with a healthy Wayne Harris Wayne Harris 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Huntington | 2024 State WV for Huntington but the Highlanders still have plenty of talent that can step up. The difference in this matchup this year? Legendary Martinsburg head coach Dave Walker has returned to the Bulldogs’ sideline for the first time in 4 years after leaving to coach Concord University. I think his presence adds tremendous value and why I’m picking the Bulldogs to avenge their loss to Huntington from last season.
Final Score: Martinsburg 31 Huntington 21
Underrated Prospects
Huntington
Camryn Veazey Camryn Veazey 6'1" | 175 lbs | LB Huntington | 2024 State WV (LB) – 6’1 185 ’24
Malik McNeely Malik McNeely 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Huntington | 2024 State WV (WR) – 6’3 190 ’24
Walter Williams Walter Williams 6'0" | 165 lbs | LB Huntington | 2024 State WV (LB) – 6’1 175 ’24
Kiyou Jackson Kiyou Jackson 5'10" | 290 lbs | DL Huntington | 2024 State WV (DL) – 5’10 290 ’24
Markell Jones Markell Jones 6'3" | 195 lbs | DL Huntington | 2024 State WV (TE/DE) – 6’3 200 ’24
Kahlief Tye Kahlief Tye 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Huntington | 2024 State WV (DB) – 6’0 180 ’24
Mikey Johnson Mikey Johnson 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Huntington | 2024 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’3 190 ’24
Avonte Crawford Avonte Crawford 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Huntington | 2025 State WV (QB/ATH) – 6’3 180 ’25
D’Edrick Graves D’Edrick Graves 6'1" | 220 lbs | RB Huntington | 2025 State WV (RB/LB) – 6’1 220 ’25
Jamari Tubbs Jamari Tubbs 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Huntington | 2025 State WV (WR/DB) – 6’0 175 ’25
Tayveon Wilson Tayveon Wilson 6'3" | 205 lbs | WR Huntington | 2026 State WV (WR/P) – 6’3 205 ’26
Martinsburg
Malachi Williams Malachi Williams 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (WR) – 5’10 170 ’24
Xerxees Yancey Xerxees Yancey 5'9" | 210 lbs | DL Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (DL) – 5’10 195 ’24
Will Bass Will Bass 6'1" | 240 lbs | DL Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (OL/DL/LS) – 6’0 255 ’24
EJ Hendrix EJ Hendrix 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Martinsburg | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’1 255 ’24
Peyton Kaufman Peyton Kaufman 6'4" | 245 lbs | OL Martinsburg | 2025 State WV (OL) – 6’3 255 ’25
Koi Fagan Koi Fagan 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Martinsburg | 2025 State WV (ATH) – 6’1 180 ’25
Nick Busky Nick Busky 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Martinsburg | 2025 State WV (RB/LB) – 5’11 210 ’25
Princeton
Michael DiGiacomo Michael DiGiacomo 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Princeton | 2024 State WV (WR/DE) – 6’3 215 ’24
Chase Smith Chase Smith 5'11" | 240 lbs | OL Princeton | 2024 State WV (OL/DL) – 5’11 235 ’24
Saeed Aboulhosn Saeed Aboulhosn 5'8" | 205 lbs | K Princeton | 2024 State WV (K) – 5’10 200 ’24
Jordan Cooper Jordan Cooper 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Princeton | 2025 WV (LB) – 5’11 215 ’25
Kalum Kiser Kalum Kiser 6'1" | 215 lbs | DL Princeton | 2026 State WV (LB) – 6’1 210 ’26
Wyatt Cline Wyatt Cline 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Princeton | 2026 WV (WR/LB) – 5’11 160 ’26
Brad Mossor Brad Mossor 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Princeton | 2026 State WV (WR) – 5’11 175 ’26
Bridgeport
Aidan Sparks Aidan Sparks 6'1" | 210 lbs | DL Bridgeport | 2024 State WV (HB/DE) – 6’1 205 ’24
John Dotson (LB) – 5’11 185 ’24
Cale Culicerto (RB/DB) – 6’1 165 ’24
Bear Metheney Bear Metheney 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Bridgeport | 2025 State WV (OL/DL) – 6’2 275 ’25
Alex Moses (RB/DB) – 5’10 165 ’25
Donovan Williams (TE/LB) – 6’2 185 ’25
Tim Jeffress Tim Jeffress 6'0" | 175 lbs | RB Bridgeport | 2025 WV (RB/DB) – 6’0 175 ’25
Cameron Martin (RB/DB) – 5’10 180 ’25
Jack Spatafore (RB/DB) – 6’1 200 ’25
Josh Love Josh Love 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Bridgeport | 2025 State WV (RB) – 5’9 175 ’25