Super Six Preview: Williamstown vs Greenbrier West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The past 14 weeks have led up to this, the 2023 Super Six at Wheeling Island Stadium in Wheeling, WV. What started as 112 teams competing for a state championship at the beginning of the season was narrowed down to 48 playoff teams and now just six remain. The Class A championship game will see the Williamstown Yellowjackets battle with the Greenbrier West Cavaliers at 7:00 PM on Saturday, December 2nd. Here is our game preview for the Class A state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Game Prediction</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As many expected, the Williamstown Yellowjackets have made their way to Wheeling for the third straight year and will take on #4 Greenbrier West for all the marbles. This is Greenbrier West's first trip to the championship game since they lost to Madonna in 2013. Greenbrier West was without two of their top players in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1096621' first='Jake' last='Pate'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1099109' first='Tucker' last='Lilly'] in their win over James Monroe in the semifinal and I'm unsure if they'll be back for this game. They'd have a tough time going against a very good Williamstown team with those two and especially without them. Whether or not they'll be available I am still picking Williamstown and their vaunted running game behind senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='370324' first='Maxwell' last='Molessa'] to win their second-straight state championship and defend their title from a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final: Williamstown 34</strong> Greenbrier West 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Williamstown Top Dogs</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["370324"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Top Dog for Williamstown needs no introduction as he's been a regular on our site and in our articles all season long. The 6'0 190 WVU Baseball signee has been tremendous for the Yellowjackets throughout his career and his senior season has been no exception. Molessa has taken his game to the next level this season passing for 1,165 yards and 25 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He's a run-first quarterback in Williamstown's system and has rushed for 1,642 yards and an incredible 30 touchdowns this year in 13 games. Molessa is averaging 10.9 yards per carry on 151 attempts and a second state championship ring would be the extra special cherry on top of a fantastic high school football career.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1015094"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"An underrated part of Williamstown's success this season has been junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1015094' first='Lynken' last='Joy'] who is the second-leading rusher and also a 1,000-yard rusher for the Yellowjackets. Joy has seen a huge increase in production and playing time for his junior year and Williamstown needed someone to at the running back position. The Yellowjackets lost three of their top three rushers from last year's state champion squad with two coming from graduation and another from an unfortunate injury to star senior [player_tooltip player_id='370423' first='Colton' last='Hesson'] before the season began. That meant Joy had to be the next man up and he has done so admirably. He's rushed for 1,295 yards and 13 touchdowns this season along with 76 tackles and 6 TFLs on defense. Joy will return next season for his senior year and should be Williamstown's premier player after some serious talent graduates off this team.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["370427"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"One of the best two-way linemen in Class A is big [player_tooltip player_id='370427' first='Aiden' last='Corbett'] for the Williamstown Yellowjackets. Corbett is in that 6'2 225 range so he best projects as a defensive lineman at the next level but is also a very good offensive tackle for Williamstown too. His offensive highlights are limited on Hudl but Corbett's stats and film back that claim up as one of the best linemen in Class A. In 13 games, he has totaled 78 tackles and a staggering 19 tackles for loss with 6 sacks this season. I have a feeling that he's going to be an issue for Greenbrier West to block in this game with an undersized offensive line. Look for him to be a difference maker on defense in this matchup and Corbett can either rush the passer or stop the run well.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1096610"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Williamstown doesn't throw the ball a ton but senior receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1096610' first='Louis' last='Goodnow'] has far and away been the Yellowjackets' top target in the passing game this season. He's accounted for 58% of their receiving production with 754 yards and 14 touchdowns. Goodnow gets involved in the running game too with 277 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns and has totaled 1,414 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns in 13 games. He's also a standout defensive player totaling 65 tackles and also Williamstown's interception leader picking off 6 passes. Goodnow will be one of many names to watch in the state championship game making an impact in all three phases of the game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1098886"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Senior offensive guard and middle linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1098886' first='Gunner' last='Henrie'] was not available until the 5th game of the season against Marietta (OH) for Williamstown but has made quick work since his time back. The 5'9 195 senior has already moved his way up to his team's 6th-leading tackler with 54 including 7 for a loss in five fewer games than everyone in front of him. Henrie was an All-LKC 2nd-Team performer as a junior for the Yellowjackets and likely will earn that same honor this season even with missing five games. He's a very strong athlete and don't let his size fool you he can move people as an undersized offensive lineman and will pop you on defense at linebacker. Henrie moves well at both positions and is a downhill player on both sides of the ball which you'll see in the state championship game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6564e82c41ea3"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Greenbrier West Top Dogs</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894273"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Top Dog for Greenbrier West this season has been senior QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='894273' first='Cole' last='Vandall'] who has his Cavaliers undefeated and in the state championship game for the first time since 2013. Vandall has really developed as a passer this season and has set school records this year. Hopefully, he'll be fully healthy for this huge matchup after getting banged up in the semifinal game and if so keep an eye on him. In three playoff games, Vandall has thrown for 401 yards and 4 touchdowns while rushing for 288 yards and another score. He's primed for a true breakout game if he can get back to full-strength and the Cavaliers are going to need every ounce they can get from Vandall if they want to beat a very good Williamstown team. As good as he's been at quarterback this season, I think his play on the defensive side of the ball is just as impressive, and that's where he may play at the next level as an LB/Edge type of player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["893391"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the most exciting players in the state championship will be Greenbrier West ATH [player_tooltip player_id='893391' first='Ethan' last='Holliday'] who will be worth the price of admission to watch. Holliday doubles as a rodeo bull rider and to no surprise that toughness and reckless abandonment translate to the football field too. Holliday was crucial in the Cavaliers' win over James Monroe in the semifinal after Vandall got hurt. He stepped in as a wildcat quarterback and ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns in the game to give his team a huge victory. Holliday can play all over the field on both sides of the ball as a WR/RB and LB/S performing well at any spot he plays at. He's also had a pick-six in the playoffs and threw the game-winning 2-point conversion on a trick play against Wahama in the quarterfinal.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1096621"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Greenbrier West got a huge addition to their team when senior [player_tooltip player_id='1096621' first='Jake' last='Pate'] went from the East side to the West side when he transferred from Greenbrier East for his final year of high school. Pate unfortunately was limited in the semifinal game against James Monroe playing only on defense and I'm unsure if he'll be able to return to running back for the state championship game. Hopefully, for Cavaliers fans, he makes it back for the big game because he's been awesome this season for Greenbrier West. Pate has rushed for 1,178 yards and 21 touchdowns this season on 146 carries while averaging 8 yards per carry. They've got him involved in the running game too with 16 catches for 340 yards and 4 touchdowns. It's very tough to replace that kind of production and Greenbrier West can't afford to be without him against a team like Williamstown.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["943753"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Speaking of Greenbrier East transfers that are now playing on the West side, junior linebacker Colin u0022CWu0022 Sturgell has been a welcomed addition too for the Cavaliers. I think the move has been very beneficial for Sturgell and definitely for Greenbrier West as he has locked down a spot on defense for them. He started the season wearing #21 and has moved to #51 in the second half of the season and has played on the line some this year. At 5'10 200 he's a bit undersized especially when he has his hand in the dirt but if you watch his film you can see he plays above his size and then some. Sturgell is your classic hard-nosed tough player that loves to come downhill and hit you. He's a consistent tackler and I can see why they would want him playing on the line with his style of play.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1099109"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another star player for Greenbrier West who missed their semifinal game against James Monroe who hopefully will be back this week is senior WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1099109' first='Tucker' last='Lilly']. At 5'7 130 you might overlook him but check out his stats and watch him play and you'll see why you shouldn't. Lilly is the Cavaliers' leading receiver this season which has saw themselves throwing the ball much more often than in years past. He's caught 29 passes for 500 yards and 10 touchdowns this season averaging over 17 yards per catch. Lilly actually split time with Vandall last season at quarterback but seems like a natural as a receiver. He placed third at 120 pounds at the WV Class A wrestling championships showing he may be small but he's certainly tough.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6564e82c420dd"} /-->