Class A Playoffs Round One Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Well, folks, after some postponement and deliberation, it's finally playoff time! 64 teams across four classes have learned their playoff fate and opponents. Prep Redzone West Virginia will provide you with playoff coverage through the State Championship games. Let the road to Charleston begin!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is everything you need to know about the first-round playoff matchups for Class A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MATCHUPS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(16) Tolsia (6-4) at (1) Tug Valley (10-0) – Saturday, November 23 at 1:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(15) East Hardy (4-6) at (2) Tucker County (10-0) – Saturday, November 23 at 1:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(14) Madonna (7-3) at (3) Wahama (10-0) – Saturday, November 23 at 1:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(13) Valley (7-2) at (4) Cameron (9-1) – Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(12) Wirt County (7-3) at (5) Doddridge County (8-2) – Saturday, November 23 at 1:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(11) Tyler Consolidated (6-4) at (6) Sherman (8-2) – Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(10) Meadow Bridge (7-3) at (7) Pendleton County (7-3) – Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(9) River View (7-3) at (8) Petersburg (5-5) – Saturday, November 23 at 1:30 p.m.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PREDICTIONS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(16) Tolsia (6-4) at (1) Tug Valley (10-0) </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't count out the Tolsia Rebels in this 16 vs 1 seed matchup as they gave Tug Valley all they could handle during the regular season in a 24-16 defeat. Tolsia has dealt with injuries since then and it's unclear how healthy they are entering the postseason, but expect them to battle the Panthers again as it's win or prepare for basketball and wrestling season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Tug Valley 34</strong> Tolsia 13</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(15) East Hardy (4-6) at (2) Tucker County (10-0) </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another low-seed versus top-seed matchup that was a very competitive contest during the regular season which saw Tucker County come out on top 20-7 over East Hardy. Don't let the Cougars' record fool you, they're battle-tested against a challenging schedule with all six losses coming to playoff squads. We expect this to be another close game for a while, but the Mountain Lions will roar and pull away in the second half behind the running of [player_tooltip player_id='1092726' first='Jared' last='Reall']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Tucker County 33</strong> East Hardy 13</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(14) Madonna (7-3) at (3) Wahama (10-0) </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Madonna Blue Dons are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and will have the very tall task of taking on who many believe is the favorite to win Class A this year the Wahama White Falcons. Numbers and depth are an issue for Madonna again this season, but their starters have talent and could make a play here and there. Wahama's electrifying running back [player_tooltip player_id='907169' first='Connor' last='Lambert'] will have too much speed in this one and could get loose on any team in the state this season regardless of class. Wahama will cruise to the quarterfinals but expect the Blue Dons to be a yearly playoff team under new Head Coach John McCune. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Wahama 63</strong> Madonna 6</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(13) Valley (7-2) at (4) Cameron (9-1)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another regular season rematch in this one saw the Cameron Dragons shutout the Valley Lumberjacks 46-0 and we expect a similar result this week. Valley will have the most electric player on the field with QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='907159' first='Gavin' last='Derby'] with his track speed, but the Dragons have too much talent and depth to overcome. [player_tooltip player_id='907172' first='Klypsan' last='Wallace'] eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards again this season for Cameron and they've added depth behind him with [player_tooltip player_id='1583918' first='Slaton' last='Pettit'] to ease the load. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1583907' first='Talen' last='Brown'] is one to watch on defense for the home team and is leading the team in tackles with 82 and 17 going for a loss. Cameron will move onto the quarterfinals with a potential huge matchup with Doddridge County coming to town if they can get past Wirt County. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Cameron 48</strong> Valley 12</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(12) Wirt County (7-3) at (5) Doddridge County (8-2)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of that game, Wirt County at Doddridge County has the potential to get wild with a chance of the Tigers pulling the upset. They're an undervalued squad according to seeding and have the talent to air it out or pound it on the ground with 1,600-yard rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1228138' first='Brody' last='Ewing']. [player_tooltip player_id='882030' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] was welcomed back this season and he's thrown for 1,900 yards and 25 touchdowns with two good receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='1583873' first='Porter' last='Goodwin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1126326' first='Isaiah' last='Sampson']. His counterpart is highly thought of by PRZ WV in 2026 QB [player_tooltip player_id='867726' first='Brysen' last='Dixon'] who has taken a step forward as a junior with 1,600 yards passing and 20 touchdowns of his own. The Bulldogs will go 4 deep at running back and keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1137704' first='Jerod' last='Trent'] and [player_tooltip player_id='866670' first='Landon' last='Thomas'] on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='1139398' first='Brycen' last='Eidel'] has totaled 100 tackles on defense at linebacker and [player_tooltip player_id='908996' first='Talyn' last='Snyder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1354405' first='Brandon' last='Davis'] pace him. This should be a back-and-forth game for a half with Doddridge ultimately pulling away in the second half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Doddridge County 35</strong> Wirt County 19</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(11) Tyler Consolidated (6-4) at (6) Sherman (8-2) </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>According to seeding in round one of the playoffs, only our second upset pick will be #11 Tyler Consolidated over #6 Sherman. The Knights will have to do so on the road but are battle-tested from a tough schedule which saw them be competitive with everyone but Top 4 AA Williamstown. They're a balanced team with senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1052861' first='Brady' last='Strode'] and senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1126302' first='Branson' last='Winfrey'] who are both well over 1,000 yards of offense respectively. Sherman will have something to say about that with 1,500-yard sophomore passer Eli Pauler and do-it-all junior [player_tooltip player_id='894972' first='Trey' last='Lester'] who can play all over the field. Ultimately, Tyler Consolidated will pull the upset for their first playoff win since 2007. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Tyler Consolidated 27</strong> Sherman 22</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(10) Meadow Bridge (7-3) at (7) Pendleton County (7-3) </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='894721' first='Kaiden' last='Sims'] will have to will the Meadow Bridge Wildcats to victory in their matchup with Pendleton County. Sims has rushed for 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns this season as a rare big, physical, and athletic running back at the small school level. Do-it-all freshman ATH [player_tooltip player_id='951269' first='Colton' last='Roberson'] for Pendleton County has stepped in at quarterback due to an injury to the original starter and has done some great things on both sides of the ball. His top target will be senior [player_tooltip player_id='1584437' first='Josiah' last='Kimble'] who has totaled 800 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns as Pendleton County will win the Battle of the Wildcats in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Pendleton County 46</strong> Meadow Bridge 20</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">(9) River View (7-3) at (8) Petersburg (5-5)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Petersburg earns the 8 seed behind a tough schedule this season and will be led by freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1421223' first='Payton' last='Metheny']. River View will have a shot at winning only their second playoff game in their short history as a school led by running back [player_tooltip player_id='1583892' first='Chanton' last='Davis']. This should be a competitive game for a while, but Petersburg will wear down the Raiders in the second half in a two-touchdown or more win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Final Score: Petersburg 34</strong> River View 14</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->