Friday’s Big Game Breakdowns: Week 7

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Morgantown got its revenge in Charleston last season after losing to Martinsburg during the regular season, and the Bulldogs have had this one circled since that emotional title-game loss. Martinsburg faces a long road trip, but the stakes and history between these programs should make for an outstanding atmosphere in Morgantown.   Keys to the Game: Some of the best talent in West Virginia will be on display, and neither offense will be easy to shut down. The key for both defenses will be limiting explosive plays and forcing the opposing offense to earn its success. Discipline and keeping emotions under control will be critical, because missed assignments and penalties could quickly turn into points against two teams with this much playmaking talent.   Matchup to Watch: Martinsburg could be without some offensive linemen tonight, which would allow a physical Morgantown defensive front to create issues. The Mohigans have the size to challenge the Bulldogs in the trenches and sustain drives with their running game. Two of the top players in the state are suiting up tonight in Morgantown QB Maddox Twigg and Martinsburg WR Boston Todd, with talented supporting casts around them. Both defenses will have their hands full, but you can't let one player take over the game if you want to pull this one out.   Score Prediction: Martinsburg 28 Morgantown 17     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PRINCETON AT GEORGE WASHINGTON</h2>   The Game: Princeton and George Washington meet for the first time since 2022, with the Patriots holding a 13-3 advantage in the series. Despite playing in different classifications, both programs have legitimate title aspirations in 2026, with Princeton coming off its first state championship last season. This is a chance for both teams to make a statement against high-level competition, and a win would provide a significant boost as the playoff picture takes shape.   Keys to the Game: Princeton has a more balanced offensive attack, but George Washington's talented secondary could make it difficult for the Tigers to find success through the air. Both teams also feature dual-threat quarterbacks in GW's Da'Sean Isabell and Princeton's Jake Belcher, giving each defense another challenge to account for. Containing the quarterbacks while limiting explosive plays will be critical.   Matchup to Watch: Two of the top running backs in the 2029 class will share the field as GW's Jaden Black and Princeton's Aaron Hood Jr headline this matchup. Both are talented young prospects with D1 upside, but their teams use them in different ways. The Patriots lean heavily on Black, who has been impossible to slow down so far behind a strong offensive line, while Princeton spreads the ball around and looks to keep its offense balanced. The Tigers will need to find a way to contain Black and make GW win in other areas, because allowing him to control the game could make for a long night.   Score Prediction: George Washington 31 Princeton 20     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NORTH MARION AT ELKINS</h2>   The Game: North Marion and Elkins have a longstanding Big 10 series, but the Huskies have been in control in recent years. Elkins hasn't beaten North Marion since 2015, and the Tigers have a great chance to snap a decade-long drought tonight. With both teams ranked near the top of Class AAA, this matchup carries major playoff implications.   Keys to the Game: Getting RB Jaden Hatfield back healthy has elevated Elkins' offense over the last few games, giving the Tigers a strong one-two punch with Hatfield's speed complementing Seth Robinson's physical running style in the Wing-T. A big, experienced offensive line helps set the tone, and North Marion will need to read its keys and match that physicality to slow down the Tigers' ground game. The Huskies have improved each week offensively, and Elkins will need to find a way to limit their explosive capabilities. With a more limited passing attack, the Tigers would prefer to control the pace and avoid getting pulled into a shootout.   Matchup to Watch: North Marion's defensive line and linebackers face a major test against an Elkins front that has size, physicality, and experience in this system. The Tigers want to establish the run and wear defenses down, so the Huskies will need one of their strongest performances up front to keep that from happening. The battle between Elkins senior defensive linemen Devin Hulver and Owen Stanley and North Marion's Gavin Floyd should be a fun one to watch. All three are among the better senior defensive linemen in the state, and their performances in the trenches could go a long way toward deciding this game.   Score Prediction: Elkins 34 North Marion 28     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SOUTH HARRISON AT DODDRIDGE COUNTY</h2>   The Game: Doddridge County took last year's meeting 34-8, and South Harrison has a chance to show how much progress it's made against one of the top teams in Class AA. These programs share a similar identity built around physical, power-running football, setting up a matchup between strengths. The Hawks haven't beaten the Bulldogs since 2017, but they have an opportunity to end that streak and pull off a statement win on the road.   Keys to the Game: Expect a fast-moving game with both teams looking to establish the run and control the clock. That approach will likely limit possessions, making every drive important and leaving little room to recover from an early deficit. Falling behind by two scores could force either team out of its comfort zone, with both offenses built around running the football. Winning first down and avoiding negative plays will be important for both sides to keep their ground games on schedule.   Matchup to Watch: This game will be decided by which team can match the other's physicality up front and find a way to slow down the run. South Harrison RB Shepard Paugh has already topped 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, using his 6'4 205 frame to lead the Hawks' backfield and give them a punishing presence between the tackles. Doddridge County counters with a two-headed rushing attack featuring Brandon Davis and freshman Corben Hall, whose change of pace and explosiveness add another dimension to the Bulldogs' offense. Neither team wants to be forced into a passing-heavy game, as both offenses aren't comfortable throwing it more than a handful of times a game. Whichever front can create stops and win the battle at the line of scrimmage will put its team in a strong position to come away with the win.   Score Prediction: Doddridge County 28 South Harrison 7

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