BUCKHANNON – In an almost improbable event, every top seeded team won in the first round of the WVSSAC playoffs last week in the 32 games played.
Class AAAA, which allowed all 16 teams into the playoff field, wound up being a complete debacle that we all expected. The average margin of victory was 31 points and only two games ended within a seven-point difference.
Again, for the people that say the 16-team format is good for the student-athletes because they experience the postseason, let’s poll the Parkersburg kids that were on a bus for 4 ½ hours for a 77-7 loss to Martinsburg.
Class AAA was even worse as the average margin of victory was 42 points. The closest game was Oak Hill winning 27-6 over Lewis County.
I don’t care how much of a cash cow the playoffs are for the WVSSAC, how about some common sense come forward and shrink the playoff field in all four classes to preferably eight teams but at least 12.
Now onto the important stuff, the My Buckhanon standings which look like this.
Name Week Overall
Duane 6-1 74-17
Brian 6-1 71-20
Katie 5-2 60-31
Monica 3-4 58-33
Brian and I both went 6-1 while Katie went 5-2 and Monica finished with a rough 3-4 mark. I still maintain my three-game lead. Brian and I have two different games this week (see below) so it could be a make or break week for him.
Our weekly winner was MIKE HINKLE, who was the only reader to post a 6-1 record. Congrats to Mike on winning our $20 gift certificate to Sam’s Pizza. While this article went up early this week because of Thanksgiving, you can still make your picks until Friday at 7 p.m. by clicking here.
Now onto our games.
Spring Valley (8-3) at Fairmont Senior (10-1)
This could be the big upset of the weekend. Fairmont Senior and Bridgeport will meet in the semis if both win, not the title game. Spring Valley could put a big wrench in the game. I am going with Fairmont Senior but don’t be surprised if Spring Valley pulls off the upset.
Duane: Fairmont Senior; Brian: Fairmont Senior; Katie: Fairmont Senior; Monica: Spring Valley
Marshall (8-3) at James Madison (8-3)
Marshall will win the Sun Belt East outright with a win. A loss and a Georgia Southern win would seem to give that to the Eagles. I think Marshall gets a huge road win.
Duane: Marshall; Brian: Marshall; Katie: James Madison; Monica: Marshall
West Virginia (6-5) at Texas Tech (7-4)
The four of us are split on the game. Texas Tech just put 56 points on Oklahoma State. They can score and score a lot. WVU has been pretty good on the road, but they won’t win this one. The WVU bowl game opponent is going to be an ugly one.
Duane: Texas Tech; Brian: West Virginia; Katie: West Virginia; Monica: Texas Tech
The Final Four:
Morgantown (8-3) at Spring Mills (10-1)
Duane: Spring Mills; Brian: Spring Mills; Katie: Morgantown; Monica: Morgantown
North Marion (8-3) at Princeton (11-0)
Duane: Princeton; Brian: Princeton; Katie: North Marion; Monica: North Marion
Nitro (10-1) at Bridgeport (11-0)
Duane: Bridgeport; Brian: Bridgeport; Katie: Bridgeport; Monica: Bridgeport
Philip Barbour (8-3) at Independence (7-3)
Duane: Independence; Brian: Philip Barbour: Katie: Independence; Monica: Philip Barbour
