Class A Semifinals Showdown: Wheeling Central vs Pendleton County

<p id="block-32896c7d-e14b-42fd-9249-e04a7ae8bf4f"><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p>   <p>16 teams have advanced to the playoff semifinals after the second round of the postseason in West Virginia. Here is our playoff semifinals preview for round three</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#1 WHEELING CENTRAL vs #4 PENDLETON COUNTY</strong></h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">HOW WHEELING CENTRAL GOT HERE</h3>    <p>Wheeling Central punched its ticket to the Class A semifinals with a dominant 41–8 win over #8 Tucker County on a rainy Friday night at Bishop Schmitt Field. The Maroon Knights exploded out of the gate, scoring on a long touchdown pass before adding back-to-back pick-sixes from [player_tooltip player_id='1137048' first='Troy' last='Mortakis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1473308' first='Max' last='Olejasz'] to build a 21–0 lead less than four minutes in. Central continued to control the game on both sides of the ball, taking a 34–6 advantage into halftime behind strong running from [player_tooltip player_id='1580716' first='Kade' last='Koroneos'] and quarterback Niko Kusic, who added a scrambling 42-yard touchdown run.</p>   <p>Central finished with more than 300 yards of offense, led by Kusic's 106 rushing yards and 126 through the air, while Koroneos added 98 yards on the ground as he surpassed 1,000 for the season. Tucker County struggled to move the ball, finishing with just 67 rushing yards and four intercepted passes. With the win, top-seeded Wheeling Central advances to the semifinals, where it will host the winner of East Hardy vs. Pendleton County with a spot in the state championship on the line.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">HOW PENDLETON COUNTY GOT HERE</h3>    <p>Pendleton County outlasted East Hardy in a razor-thin Class A quarterfinal, pulling out a 35–27 win in overtime after neither team led by more than a touchdown in regulation. The Wildcats leaned heavily on the playmaking of [player_tooltip player_id='951269' first='Colton' last='Roberson'], who scored four rushing touchdowns and also tossed a 49-yard scoring pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1624377' first='Travis' last='Owens']. Pendleton took a 21–14 lead into halftime, but East Hardy answered with two third-quarter touchdowns to move in front before the Wildcats tied the game at 27. A late East Hardy fumble that rolled out of the end zone kept the Cougars from taking the lead and ultimately sent the game to overtime.</p>   <p>Roberson punched in the go-ahead touchdown in OT and added the two-point conversion to give Pendleton the final margin. The Wildcats' defense then delivered a four-and-out stop to seal the victory and send Pendleton (10–2) to its first semifinal appearance since 2020. The #4 Wildcats will now travel to top-seeded Wheeling Central Catholic for a Friday night matchup with a spot in the Class A state championship game on the line.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WHEELING CENTRAL PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Wheeling Central TE/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1473308' first='Max' last='Olejasz'] has stepped into the postseason playing some of his best football, continuing to impact the Maroon Knights in all three phases. He's been a reliable target in the passing game with 13 receptions for 216 yards and three scores, giving their offense a steady option when they need to move the chains. Defensively, he's been even more valuable, piling up 40 tackles and snagging three interceptions while consistently disrupting plays in space. Olejasz already drew early D1 interest over the summer, and his playoff performance only reinforces why his blend of size, instincts, and athletic growth makes him one of the more intriguing upper-class prospects to monitor as Wheeling Central pushes deeper into November.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Wheeling Central RB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1580716' first='Kade' last='Koroneos'] has been the engine of the Maroon Knights' offense all year, and his production has only grown more valuable as the postseason pressure rises. He's cleared the 1,000-yard mark on the ground with 21 rushing touchdowns while also leading the team in receiving, adding another 440 yards and four scores through the air. That versatility has made him one of the most difficult players in Class A to game-plan for, as he can stress a defense from anywhere on the field. Koroneos has clearly taken a major leap as a senior, and his expanded role has helped push Central into championship contention yet again. With multiple college programs already showing interest, his blend of toughness, vision, and playmaking ability should continue to draw attention as the playoff spotlight intensifies.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Wheeling Central DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='895002' first='Joey' last='Hall'] has stepped up with another strong campaign as the Maroon Knights move deeper into postseason play. Now fully healthy, the senior has been a steady contributor in the secondary, where he's produced 23 tackles and leads the team with five interceptions. His ball skills continue to show up on offense as well, adding 256 receiving yards and four touchdowns as a reliable target in their passing game. The Westminster commit experience and versatility have been invaluable for a group chasing another deep playoff run. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Wheeling Central standout [player_tooltip player_id='895003' first='Wyatt' last='Brady'] has continued to show why he's regarded as one of the top specialists in West Virginia, and his play this postseason is reinforcing that status. Brady has remained sharp as the Knights' long snapper while also delivering steady production on defense, where he's totaled 54 tackles and been a reliable presence in the middle of their unit. His wrestling background strengthens his combination of consistency, toughness, and athletic foundation. As Wheeling Central pushes deeper into November, Brady's versatility and poise in pressure moments make him one of the most important pieces of their playoff roster.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Wheeling Central TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='1137048' first='Troy' last='Mortakis'] has stepped up in a major way as the postseason heats up, providing toughness and production across the front. He's become one of the most disruptive defenders on the roster, piling up 51 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 7 sacks, and his motor has shown up week after week. Mortakis also continues to handle the gritty assignments on offense, serving as a dependable blocker who helps anchor their ground game and opens up opportunities for the skill players around him.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Wheeling Central QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1157631' first='Nico' last='Kusic'] has stepped into the postseason playing some of his best football, guiding the Knights with impressive production as both a passer and runner. Now in his junior year and firmly established as the starter, he's thrown for over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding more than 500 yards and five scores on the ground. His ability to create outside the structure of the offense has given Central a dangerous dimension as the playoffs tighten, and opponents have struggled to account for everything he brings.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1304656' first='Dustin' last='Sanner'] is back in the lineup for Wheeling Central just in time for the postseason, and his return gives the defense a major boost. After emerging as an every-down linebacker as an underclassman, he's continued to grow into a physical, rangy defender who can cover ground and play downhill. Sanner has steadily refined his technique and frame, and his athletic profile still points toward significant long-term upside. With the Knights pushing deeper into November, his presence in the middle of the defense makes them tougher to game-plan against, and he'll be one of the key pieces they lean on as the competition ramps up.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Wheeling Central kicker [player_tooltip player_id='1168050' first='Clayton' last='Petry'] has become a major postseason asset for the Maroon Knights, giving them a dependable leg in pressure moments. Now deep into the playoff run, he's been steady on extra points all year and has converted multiple field goals, including a long make from 45 yards that underscores his range. Petry's consistency has helped stabilize Central's special teams unit, and his ability to drive kickoffs deep or flip field position gives them an edge in tight games.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2027 OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1155194' first='Dominic' last='Paesani'] has been a key contributor for Wheeling Central since his freshman season, excelling as a two-way lineman. Heading into the playoffs as a junior, he has tallied 57 tackles and 4 tackles for loss while also making an impact on offense. Paesani's combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him most effective as an interior defensive lineman, and his consistent production on both sides of the ball could draw interest from college programs as a senior.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PENDLETON COUNTY PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Pendleton County senior WR/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1137709' first='Chase' last='Owens'] has emerged as one of the Wildcats' top playmakers as they enter the playoffs. He's been a force on both sides of the ball, racking up 96 tackles and 9.5 TFLs on defense while leading the team in the passing game with 1,000 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. Owens is a well-built, versatile athlete at 6'0" 195, capable of making plays in space and creating mismatches. His combination of size, speed, and physicality makes him a dangerous weapon for Pendleton County as they make a run in the postseason.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Pendleton County's 2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1697679' first='Ty' last='Heavner'] has been a dominant presence for the Wildcats as they advance in the playoffs. He's totaled 97 tackles with 9.5 for loss this season, consistently disrupting opposing offenses and making life difficult in the backfield. Heavner's physicality and awareness allow him to impact multiple phases of the game, and his ability to make key plays on both defense and special teams has been a major factor in Pendleton's postseason success.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">2028 Pendleton County ATH [player_tooltip player_id='951269' first='Colton' last='Roberson'] has dominated the Wildcats' season on both sides of the ball as they head into the playoffs. He's thrown for 3,200 yards with 35 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,100 yards and 25 scores, leading the team in offensive production. On defense, Roberson has been equally impressive, topping the team with 143 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and adding three interceptions. His rare combination of skill, athleticism, and leadership makes him a game-changer in every facet and a key reason Pendleton County is a formidable championship contender.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Pendleton County sophomore WR [player_tooltip player_id='1624377' first='Travis' last='Owens'] has been a major factor for the Wildcats as they head into the playoffs. The 6'2", 175-pound wideout leads the team with 1,100 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to stretch the field. Owens pairs natural ball skills with top-end speed, making him a constant deep-threat who can turn any catch into a game-changing play in the postseason.</p>

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