Friday’s Big Game Breakdowns: Week 5

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   The Stock Up Showcase is Returning to West Virginia on January 3rd in Bridgeport! Use Code SUWV25OFF for a 25% off discount at checkout! Register <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2594/register/stock-up-showcase-west-virginia">HERE</a>   Friday night brings another loaded slate of games across West Virginia, with big matchups in every class and plenty of teams looking to make a statement. We're breaking down some of the best games on the schedule, taking a closer look at the key matchups, players to watch, and what each result could mean moving forward. These are the games that have our attention heading into another big Friday night.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WILLIAMSTOWN AT CHAPMANVILLE</h2>   The Game: Williamstown and Chapmanville meet again after the Tigers rolled to a 50-13 win in last year's matchup. These two programs have only played twice in school history, with the first meeting coming all the way back in 1972 before last season's game. Chapmanville has had a difficult start to the year against a tough schedule after making the semifinal round last season, while Williamstown enters as the early #3 team in the AA playoff metrics and is looking to bounce back from last year's losing season. It's a tough road trip for the Yellowjackets, but a win over a good Chapmanville team would be a major statement for a program that has made significant progress since last season.   Keys to the Game: The biggest challenge for Williamstown could come up front, where Chapmanville brings a big, physical offensive and defensive line that could create problems for the smaller Yellowjacket front. The Tigers' 2-2 record doesn't tell the full story, as their losses came against very good South Charleston and Princeton teams, and shouldn't be overlooked after last year's best season in school history. Williamstown is coming off a statement win over Roane County, which had looked like one of the better teams in the class before last week, and the Yellowjackets have improved significantly since last season. They'll need to match Chapmanville's physicality and find ways to stay competitive up front if they want to leave with the big road win.   Matchup to Watch: The connection between QB Dakota Dalton and WR Kai Martin finally got going in a big way last week against Princeton for Chapmanville, with Martin catching 8 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns against a good Tigers' defense. Williamstown will have to account for Martin, and extra attention toward him could create opportunities for other parts of the Chapmanville offense. The Yellowjackets will need to sustain drives, avoid giving the Tigers short fields, and keep an offense capable of being explosive from finding its rhythm. If Williamstown can control the football and make Chapmanville work for every possession, it has a chance to turn this into a much different game than last year's matchup.   Score Prediction: Chapmanville 31 Williamstown 20     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PRINCETON AT GRAHAM (VA)</h2>   The Game: Week 5 brings a strong out-of-state test for Princeton as the Tigers travel to Virginia to take on Graham. Princeton won this matchup 33-14 last season on the way to the first state championship in program history, but the G-Men are a perennial title contender in Virginia and will be looking to answer back on their home field. Graham opened this season with a rivalry win over a very good Bluefield team, and Princeton had to grind out a 32-30 win over the Beavers as well. Both teams have already been tested, making this a great measuring-stick game for two programs with championship expectations.   Keys to the Game: This series has developed into a good rivalry, with Graham holding an 18-10 advantage and winning four straight before Princeton snapped the streak last season. The teams went five years without playing before renewing the series in 2025, but there should be no shortage of emotion with these programs meeting again. Princeton is playing some good football and hasn't lost since the 2024 state semifinals, but Graham has the opportunity to make another statement against one of West Virginia's top programs. Whichever team can handle the emotion and stay disciplined will be in a better position to come away with the win.   Matchup to Watch: Princeton has a balanced offense with plenty of skill talent around a reloaded offensive line, making this a difficult group to slow down. QB Jake Belcher has been nearly perfect to start the season and gives the Tigers a true dual-threat option who can hurt a defense with his arm or his legs. Graham is dealing with a couple of key injuries heading into the matchup, with some players potentially returning or being limited that the G-Men will need to work around. If Graham can slow down Princeton's explosive offense, this could be another highly competitive chapter in the series.   Score Prediction: Princeton 34 Graham 31     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">INDEPENDENCE PATRIOTS AT BLUEFIELD BEAVERS</h2>   The Game: Another huge Southern WV matchup is on tap this week between two programs firmly in the Class AA title hunt. Independence dominated a young Bluefield team 31-10 last season, but those Beavers were still finding their footing early in the year before making a run to the state championship game. Bluefield isn't young anymore and has a talented group that is starting to gain momentum after an 0-2 start. Independence is coming off a dominant win over a good Mingo Central team and is loaded in its own right, making this one of the biggest games on the Week 5 schedule.   Keys to the Game: Neither team wants this to turn into a track meet where both offenses spend the night trading punches. Both defenses are going to be tested early and often, and the unit that settles in quicker could have a major say in how this game plays out. Limiting big plays will be a challenge with explosive athletes on both sides, but giving up too many chunk plays could put either defense in a difficult spot. Field position and avoiding mistakes could also become important in what should be a fast-paced matchup.   Matchup to Watch: Both offenses bring plenty of variety, which should make this a difficult game for either defense to prepare for. Independence relies heavily on choice routes that will put pressure on Bluefield's secondary and linebackers to stay disciplined and execute their assignments. The Beavers can attack you on the ground or through the air, with D1 prospects at quarterback, running back, and receiver giving them options in multiple areas. On paper, the two teams match up well across the board, but that can change quickly once the playmakers start flying around.   Score Prediction: Bluefield 31 Independence 21     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TOLSIA REBELS AT SHERMAN TIDE</h2>   The Game: This is a big Class A matchup between two teams that can put points on the board in a hurry, with Tolsia traveling to Boone County to take on Sherman. The Rebels' 2-2 record doesn't fully reflect how much they've improved since last season, and the new coaching staff has already made a huge impact. Tolsia gave a good Tug Valley team all it could handle last week before falling 48-45, battling back from a 35-7 first-half deficit. Sherman won this matchup 50-30 last season and will look to protect its home field in what could be another high-scoring matchup.   Keys to the Game: Both defenses will need to slow down the opposing offense and avoid getting pulled into another back-and-forth shootout. That's easier said than done with the amount of athletic talent on both sides and the quick-scoring ability of each team. Tolsia has shown it can battle through adversity, and Sherman will need to handle that pressure if the game starts to swing. Expect a closely contested game where a few defensive stops could make the difference late.   Matchup to Watch: Two of the better quarterbacks in Class A will be on the field tonight, with Sherman's Eli Pauley facing off against Tolsia's Robert Evans. Pauley recently committed to Concord and has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the small-school ranks, while Evans has looked excellent since making the move to quarterback this season. Evans is one of the top small-school athletes in the state, giving Tolsia a dynamic threat to lead the offense. Both quarterbacks will need their teammates to make plays around them, with capable athletes to do so in what should be a fun small-school matchup to watch.   Score Prediction: Sherman 41 Tolsia 35

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!

Access all of Prep Redzone

Continue reading this article and more.

Friday’s Big Game Breakdowns: Week 5

Access all of Prep Redzone

PRZ WV Week Five Top Plays (FREE)

First 4 Games Underclassmen DB Film Spotlight

First 4 Games Senior DB Film Spotlight

First 4 Games Underclassmen Linebacker Film Spotlight

First 4 Games Senior Linebacker Film Spotlight