BUCKHANNON – Just a few random thoughts this week.
Congrats to Sloan Baisden, his staff and the Buccaneer football team, for a job well done Friday night. Being part of a losing streak is never fun, but coach Baisden has always been very professional while talking to me after each loss and talking about the contest each Tuesday evening during our regular weekly meeting. I couldn’t be happier for him, and everyone involved with the program.
I also thought the B-U student body was classy during it all. Sure they rushed the field but I heard nothing but good things about them over the weekend. Let’s just say in years past I’ve been at the other place on the field when the other team won and a lot of vulgarities were hurled at our team as they rushed past our team. So good job students.
I wasn’t born yet to be around for the heyday of Buccaneer football in the 60s that saw two state championships and a state runner-up, but as a 1990 graduate, I still saw a lot of winning during the tail end of Granville Zopp’s tenure then onto the Mike Michaels era. I have to admit I was a little choked up making my way down to the field from the press box after the game.
The stadium was packed, and we were beating Lewis County. The way things used to be when I was growing up. I know at the end of the day it’s just one win, but maybe, just maybe, it is the start of something special. Obviously, we aren’t ready to take on Morgantown yet, but hopefully the days of going into each game with a thought of dread in the back of your head are now officially over.
As most of you know by now, when the SSAC decided to go to four classifications, almost everyone gets into the football playoffs. Sixteen of the 20 Class AAAA teams will make it. With the Bucs already up to 15 after just one win on the season, the debate has already started if it would be a good thing or a bad thing for the Bucs to make the postseason this year with a losing record.
I will stay quiet on the matter for the moment until we get more clarity on the issue, but if the playoff started this week, B-U would to go to No. 2 Morgantown.
And finally, Katie announced last week that she will be starting a new job in town while continuing at My Buckhannon part-time. Katie will remain on as a picker for the Crunch throughout the rest of the season. We wish Katie nothing but the best with her new endeavor.
Now onto the important stuff, the My Buckhannon staff contest. The standings look like this.
STANDINGS (WEEK 7)
Name Week Overall
Duane 4-3 37-12
Brian 3-4 34-15
Katie 3-4 31-18
Monica 5-2 28-21
Monica won her first week with a 5-2 record as her loyalty to Marshall finally paid off as she was the only person to pick the Herd to defeat Old Dominion. I went 4-3 while Brian and Katie went 3-4 as I widened my lead over Brian to three games.
When it comes to our readers, Corrie Plaugher won the week as she was the only reader to post a 6-1 record. So, congratulations to Corrie, she will be receiving a $20 gift certificate from My Buckhannon. Again, this year we are getting our highest volume of submissions ever, so we here at My Buckhannon truly appreciate that. Thank you for your support and keep those submissions coming in.
You still have time to get your picks in for this week, as we accept them until Friday at 6:59 p.m. prior to the high school kickoffs (One submission only). Please click here to make your picks this week.
Now onto our games:
Buckhannon-Upshur (1-5) at East Fairmont (2-5)
Let’s make it two in a row Buccaneers! East Fairmont has been up and down this season, but this is certainly a winnable game. Who knows how far the Bucs could move up in the rankings with this win.
Duane: Buckhannon-Upshur: Brian: Buckhannon-Upshur; Katie: East Fairmont; Monica: East Fairmont
Fairmont Senior (5-1) at Elkins (5-2)
After a 4-0 start to their season, Elkins has lost two of their last three and slipped all the way to 13th in the Class AAA ratings. It doesn’t get any better for the Tigers this week as they welcome No. 3 Fairmont Senior to town. Elkins could be fighting for their playoff lives in their final two games against Brooke and Preston.
Duane: Fairmont Senior; Brian: Fairmont Senior; Katie: Fairmont Senior; Monica: Elkins
West Virginia (2-4) at UCF (3-3)
UCF is an 8-point favorite. This season can’t end fast enough. Not sure how many more weeks I can watch Fraud act like a perpetual baby on the sidelines. This year is going to go down as one of the all-time worst ever seasons at WVU. Neal Brown isn’t looking too bad is he?
Duane: UCF; Brian: UCF; Katie: West Virginia; Monica: UCF
The Final Four:
North Marion (5-1) at Lewis County (1-5)
Duane: North Marion; Brian: North Marion; Katie: North Marion; Monica: North Marion
Parkersburg South (2-4) at Morgantown (6-1)
Duane: Morgantown; Brian: Morgantown; Katie: Morgantown; Monica: Morgantown
West Liberty (1-5) at West Virginia Wesleyan (0-7)
Duane: West Liberty; Brian: West Virginia Wesleyan; Katie: West Liberty; Monica: West Liberty
Texas State (3-3) at Marshall (3-3)
Duane: Marshall; Brian: Marshall; Katie: Texas State; Monica: Marshall
