BUCKHANNON — I’ve always had a lot of respect for the athletic programs at Preston High School. In many ways, the Knights are similar to Buckhannon-Upshur: a smaller, rural school competing against larger, better-funded programs in Class AAAA.
I’ve always been treated well in Kingwood, and Preston has a passionate and loyal fan base.
That said, I couldn’t help but chuckle while seeing a screenshot of the Buckhannon-Upshur-Preston livestream last Friday night. The Buccaneers were listed as the “Buckeneers.”
Now, I’m not entirely sure what a Buckeneer is. Maybe part buck, part pirate?
Look, I understand typos happen. I’ve certainly made my share over the years. But come on, Preston Nights. You’ve got to be better than that.
WVSSAC Ratings Continue to Defy Logic
If you’re looking for the most baffling aspect of this week’s WVSSAC ratings, there are plenty of candidates.
- Class AAAA: Jefferson (2-7) is ranked 11th.
- Class AAA: Fairmont Senior (2-7) is ranked 13th.
- Class AA: Lincoln (5-4) is ranked ninth.
- Class A: Meadow Bridge (9-0) is ranked seventh.
So, in Classes AAAA and AAA, a 2-7 record is apparently good enough for a comfortable playoff position. Lincoln sits near a first-round home game despite being just one game over .500 in Class AA. Meanwhile, undefeated Meadow Bridge is currently positioned to open the postseason on the road in Class A.
If that makes perfect sense to you, feel free to explain it to the rest of us.
Bowl Projections Rolling in for WVU
With West Virginia now just one victory away from bowl eligibility, college football analysts are starting to project where the Mountaineers may spend the postseason.
Here are some of the latest projections:
Athlon Sports: Liberty Bowl vs. Oklahoma
CBS Sports: Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl vs. UConn
College Football News: Boca Raton Bowl vs. Florida Atlantic
ESPN (Kyle Bonagura): Puerto Rico Bowl vs. UMass
ESPN (Mark Schlabach): Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl vs. Iowa
Sports Illustrated: Cactus Bowl vs. Nebraska
West Virginia On SI: Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl vs. Louisiana Tech
Potential matchups with UConn, Florida Atlantic, UMass and Louisiana Tech don’t exactly move the needle, but any bowl appearance is better than staying home during the postseason.
Crunch Staff & Friends Leaderboard
| Name | Overall | Last Week |
|---|---|---|
| Corrie | 54-16 | 5-2 |
| Bobbie | 53-17 | 4-3 |
| Duane | 53-17 | 4-3 |
| Brian | 49-21 | 3-4 |
| Katie | 41-29 | 3-4 |
| Monica | 35-35 | 3-4 |
We have a new leader atop the staff and friends standings.
Corrie was the only participant to post a 5-2 record last week, moving into first place at 54-16 overall. Bobbie and I each finished 4-3 and sit tied for second at 53-17. Brian, Katie and Monica all posted 3-4 marks to round out the standings.
Among readers, four participants finished 6-1. After the tiebreakers were applied, Hank Ellis emerged as the Week 10 winner and will receive a $20 gift certificate to a local restaurant.
Todd Ware continues to lead the reader standings with 57 points, while William Parker owns the best overall record at 55-15.
As always, readers will pick seven games each week, with Game 7 serving as the tiebreaker. Entries are due by 7 p.m. Friday before kickoff. Click here to make picks for Week 11.
Now, onto this week’s picks.
Week 11 Games
Robert C. Byrd (6-3) at Buckhannon-Upshur (4-5)
The Buccaneers appear playoff-bound regardless of Friday’s outcome, but the possible first-round destinations aren’t particularly appealing. Martinsburg, George Washington, University, Cabell Midland and Morgantown currently occupy five of the top spots in Class AAAA. A victory could improve Buckhannon-Upshur’s standing enough to draw a more favorable opening-round matchup against a team such as Musselman (5-4) or Spring Mills (4-5).
Duane: Robert C. Byrd
Corrie: Buckhannon-Upshur
Bobbie: Robert C. Byrd
Brian: Robert C. Byrd
Katie: Buckhannon-Upshur
Monica: Robert C. Byrd
Herbert Hoover (9-0) at Huntington (6-3)
With all due respect to Bridgeport and several other contenders in Class AAA, I believe Herbert Hoover is the team to beat. Huntington has enjoyed a strong season in Class AAAA but has dropped two of its last three games, with losses coming against George Washington and Cabell Midland. This is arguably the premier matchup in the state this week. I think the Huskies complete an unbeaten regular season, and three other staff members agree.
Duane: Herbert Hoover
Corrie: Herbert Hoover
Bobbie: Herbert Hoover
Brian: Herbert Hoover
Katie: Huntington
Monica: Huntington
West Virginia (5-3) at Texas Tech (7-1)
The Mountaineers have had two weeks to prepare following their win over TCU. With Texas Tech, Kansas, Houston and Utah remaining on the schedule, victories could be difficult to come by down the stretch. Kansas appears to be the most favorable matchup, while the other three opponents are ranked. The biggest storyline in Morgantown this week continues to be whether WVU can retain quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.
Duane: Texas Tech
Corrie: Texas Tech
Bobbie: Texas Tech
Brian: Texas Tech
Katie: West Virginia
Monica: West Virginia
The Final Four
Preston (2-7) at Elkins (8-1)
Duane: Elkins
Corrie: Elkins
Bobbie: Elkins
Brian: Elkins
Katie: Preston
Monica: Elkins
Marshall (5-3) at Georgia Southern (4-4)
Duane: Georgia Southern
Corrie: Georgia Southern
Bobbie: Georgia Southern
Brian: Georgia Southern
Katie: Marshall
Monica: Marshall
BYU (7-1) at Utah (8-0)
Duane: Utah
Corrie: Utah
Bobbie: Utah
Brian: Utah
Katie: BYU
Monica: BYU
Georgia (7-1) at Ole Miss (6-2)
Duane: Georgia
Corrie: Georgia
Bobbie: Georgia
Brian: Georgia
Katie: Georgia
Monica: Georgia
Community Bulletin
Twin Oaks Home Sales is now renting newly set-up manufactured homes at its Meadowlands community near Buckhannon, starting at $800 a month — a quiet country setting close to town and schools. References required; no homes are currently for sale at Meadowlands. Read more →
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