All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Following victory at Elkins, Bucs preparing to host No. 1 Morgantown Friday night in Homecoming battle

Luke Yardley stiff arms an Elkins defender last Friday in B-U's 21-0 win. The Bucs will host No. 1 Morgantown this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. (Bobbie Hatcher/My Buckhannon).

TENNERTON – There will be a top 20 showdown at Freal “Red” Crites Memorial Stadium when the No. 19 Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers host No. 1 Morgantown Friday night in a non-conference matchup.

It will also be the Bucs’ 2023 homecoming game.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Bucs will enter the game with a 2-2 mark after a 21-0 road win over Elkins last Friday while Morgantown will come into Buckhannon with a perfect 3-0 mark after being on their bye week last week. In their last game, Morgantown defeated Mussleman at home two weeks ago by a 10-6 score.

While the Bucs pitched a shutout and retained the “Axe” against Elkins last week, the team committed 12 penalties and scored just 21 points against the winless Tigers, which was the fewest points they had given up in their first four games.

“Penalties were a big part of our issues last week,” stated Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Zach Davis. “We had some missed opportunities on offense as well. At the same time, I truly believe that we are the biggest game on three of our opponents’ schedules (Lewis County, Elkins, and Philip Barbour), we are their Super Bowl, and we are always going to get their best shot. Elkins’ head coach Jimmy Hankins has made it clear that we are their biggest game of the season. They are ready to play us probably more than anyone.”

As expected, Davis is looking at the challenge of playing the No. 1 team in the state as he would playing the No. 32 team in Class AAA.

“We look at Morgantown like we would any other team,” said Davis. “Our approach won’t change in preparing for them. In a way, it doesn’t matter who you play as much as it does that are we getting better as a team. You play the game, assess it, and move onto the next one.”

Davis said there aren’t many deficiencies in the Morgantown team.

“They have a lot of tradition on their side and are a well-coached team,” remarked Davis. “Sean Biser does a nice job with them. He is just in a long line of solid Morgantown coaches. They have 125 players on the roster, so they certainly aren’t lacking in depth. They will find a couple of good players to put on the field Friday night.”

Morgantown’s offense is led by senior quarterback Maddox Bowers.

“Bowers is a very skilled player who has an excellent line in front of him,” noted Davis. “On offense, they run a wing-T but will move into other formations. Defensively, they are a lot like Bridgeport, they call it a 4-2-5 but it’s basically a 4-3. They tackle really well.”

Davis said his team will need to block out all the distractions that come with Homecoming Week.

“I used to hate Homecoming Week but now I have learned to enjoy it and all that comes with it,” commented Davis. “We had to shorten our practice on Wednesday because of the parade but we went a little longer on Tuesday and Thursday so it all evens out.”

Davis said for the Bucs to pull off the upset, they need to win the turnover battle including forcing some Morgantown fumbles.

“We need to hold onto the football and turn them over some. I would prefer they turn it over in their own end,” joked Davis. “We just need our guys to play hard and physical and play the best they are capable of.”

Following the game this Friday, the Bucs will remain at home next Friday hosting University.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Baseball Bucs come up short in McDonald’s Classic games

The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers baseball team went winless in the McDonald’s Classic, losing three closely contested games against Washington, Wheeling Park, and Parkersburg South, despite several strong performances at the plate.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar features a full slate of baseball, softball, lacrosse, golf, tennis, and track and field events for local high school and college teams, with some schedule changes due to cancellations.

WVWC’s Stoffel named MEC Softball Pitcher of the Year

Kendall Stoffel of West Virginia Wesleyan was named Mountain East Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week after earning three complete-game victories, including a one-hit shutout, and striking out 17 over 21 innings.

Tennis Lady Bucs have impressive showing in northern panhandle

The Buckhannon-Upshur tennis Lady Bucs bounced back from an initial 7-0 defeat to sweep both John Marshall and Brooke, finishing their northern panhandle trip with a strong 7-4 record.

Tennis Bucs down Brooke on northern panhandle trip

The Buckhannon-Upshur boys tennis team finished a busy northern panhandle trip with a 4-3 win over Brooke after losing matches to Wheeling Park and John Marshall, bringing their season record to 5-6.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Wesleyan track and field teams shine in home event

West Virginia Wesleyan College’s track and field teams turned in a dominant all-around performance at their home Jasmine Claggett Invitational, earning numerous victories, personal bests, and nationally ranked marks across both men’s and women’s events.

Wesleyan baseball drops two to Charleston

The West Virginia Wesleyan baseball team was swept in a doubleheader by Charleston, falling 7-0 in the opener behind a one-hit shutout and 13-1 in the nightcap despite collecting seven hits.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Softball Lady ‘Cats get doubleheader sweep over Charleston

West Virginia Wesleyan swept a softball doubleheader against the University of Charleston, winning the opener 1-0 behind Kendall Stoffel’s shutout and taking the second game 5-3 with key hits from Andie Dizon.
WVWC Tennis

Wesleyan tennis teams get swept by Charleston

The West Virginia Wesleyan men’s and women’s tennis teams both suffered losses to the University of Charleston, falling 7-0 and 6-1 respectively in Mountain East Conference play.

Wesleyan lacrosse falls to Davis & Elkins by a 20-6 score

Davis & Elkins overwhelmed West Virginia Wesleyan’s short-handed lacrosse team 20-6, dominating in shots, turnovers, ground balls, and draw controls, despite a standout four-goal performance from Wesleyan’s Nyah Elmer.

Lady Buc lacrosse team drops two hard-fought games to George Washington

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc lacrosse team fell to George Washington in two closely contested games last week, losing 9-8 at home and 12-6 on the road, to even their record at 4-4.

Track and Field Lady Bucs place 13th at Husky Invitational

The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs placed 13th of 14 teams at the North Marion Husky Invitational, with individual and relay efforts earning 11 total points ahead of their next home meet Tuesday.