With the playoffs underway in West Virginia, we have an interesting matchup in the AA division. Number thirteen ranked Herbert Hoover Huskies (5-2) matching up against a number four ranked Liberty Raleigh (6-0). Herbert Hoover has started their season strong boasting a 4-0 record until losing the last two out of three. A close game with Sissonville could have very well been in the favor of Herbert Hoover and a one-point loss to Moorefield. We are looking at a team that could very well be undefeated. The Huskies plan to rely on quarterback Andrew Newhouse who has been playing very solid throughout the season. Liberty Raleigh will have the freshest legs in the matchup having gotten their season out of the way early in the year. They have not played in the last two weeks, so expect them to come out of the gate strong. Greg Carey of West Virginia Metro News expects an upset from the number thirteenth ranked Huskies over Liberty Raleigh. Prediction – Herbert Hoover: 23 – Liberty Raleigh: 21. Cohost Joe Brocato takes Liberty Raleigh over Herbert Hoover 20-17.
The second matchup in the AA will be number tenth ranked North Marion (6-3) at number seventh ranked Keyser (7-2). North Marion got a playoff birth after beating Liberty in an upset and their offense is very dangerous. Keyser has yet to see the field after their final win in the season being around three weeks ago. I expect that they are eager to get back out on the field. This very well could be a shootout between these two offenses. North Marion has a great receiving core and a strong passing game, but Keyser will run the ball against all odds. I have a feeling that we will see Keyser prevail against the Huskies in this battle.
Finally, we have the number nine ranked Poca Dots (6-1) versus unranked Robert C. Byrd (7-2). While the Dots have wone their last six games, Robert C. Byrd looks to put a stop to that. After losing their first two games of the season, Robert C. Byrd have been on an absolute tear around the state putting up record numbers on offense. They went undefeated the rest of the season and it was not a problem to do so. Without a doubt this will be one of the better games around the state due to the sheer high level these two football teams play at.
All the action will begin this Friday the 13th at 7:30pm. There is no telling what could happen within the landscape of COVID so teams will look to reschedule games accordingly given that they have too.
Listen to Greg Carey and Joe Brocato of WV Metro News talk about this trio of games on their website – https://wvmetronews.com/2020/11/11/herbert-hoover-liberty-raleigh-a-marquee-class-aa-playoff-opener/
Photo By Chuck Roberts – WV Metro News
Tanner Halstead 