BUCKHANNON – Last Friday couldn’t have gone much better.
Watching the Bucs down Ripley from the press box while keeping an eye on the University-Parkersburg South score was a beautiful thing.
The final score was Parkersburg South 78, University 14.
Longtime readers know I don’t have much love for head coach John Kelley or his program. Years of watching his teams run up the scores of defeated opponents, only to watch Kelley get completely embarrassed by the Patriots did my heart good.
Now University could go on to run the table and win the state title, but that score is always going to be there to haunt them…good times indeed.
What isn’t so good is that my boss, Brian Bergstrom took the lead in our little contest here after I misfired on the Bridgeport-Morgantown game last week
Brian went 4-1 last week and owns an 8-2 record while I went 3-2 and hold a 7-3 mark. I hope Brian enjoys his lead because it won’t last long.
Now onto our games this week.
Philip Barbour (1-1) at Buckhannon-Upshur (1-1)
Who can ever forget that thrilling finish of last year’s PB-B-U game. It has to feel like to the Colts that the Bucs stole one from them last year. The Colts just keep getting better, as evident by their 52-7 win over Grafton in week one, but I think our Bucs will be slightly better Friday night. The Colts will give the Bucs their best punch, but I think the Bucs survive. My pick: Buckhannon-Upshur 28-21; Brian’s pick: Buckhannon-Upshur 21-14.
John Marshall (1-1) at Bridgeport (1-1)
John Marshall is up next for the Bucs next Friday and hopefully for B-U, the Indians will put a hurt on the Monarchs. Bridgeport has to be frustrated coming off their loss to Morgantown last week. I think Bridgeport gets back on track against a pretty good John Marshall team. My pick: Bridgeport, 42-23; Brian’s pick: Bridgeport, 35-20.
Lewis County (1-1) at Elkins (0-1)
Elkins will debut their new turf Friday night as Lewis County comes to town in this Route 33 Rivalry. Elkins let a game get away from them in week one and I am sure they are chomping at the big to get back on the field for that first win. Lewis County has played well thus far and I think the Minutemen should be able to prevail against a game Elkins squad. My pick: Lewis County 32-21; Brian’s pick: Lewis County, 14-10.
West Virginia Wesleyan (0-1) at UNC Pembroke (0-1)
Things got out of hand for Wesleyan in their 72-0 loss last Thursday to Saginaw Valley. Things will get better for coach Dwayne Martin at WVWC but it’s going to take some time. It should be better this week, but I am not sure Wesleyan can pull this game out. My pick: UNC Pembroke, 41-19; Brian’s pick: UNC Pembroke, 42-21.
Kansas (1-0) at WVU (0-1)
I am still willing to trust the climb and put my faith in Neal Brown, but if the Mountaineers lose this game, I am not sure just how hot that seat will get for Brown. I can’t see Brown losing this game and making it through the season. I think Kansas will give WVU a battle but I think the Mountaineers will prevail. My pick: WVU, 35-21; Brian’s pick: WVU, 30-13.
Until next week…see ya!
