GAMES TO WATCH
CLASS AA
East Fairmont (0-9) at No. 1 Fairmont Senior (9-0): These Marion County rivals meet for the 98th time Friday night at East-West Stadium. The top-ranked Polar Bears can set a new record for a winning streak in the series as Fairmont Senior enters with 10 straight wins over the Bees.
Fairmont Senior is gearing up for the playoffs and has already clinched the top seed. The Polar Bears are coming off a bye and no opponent has come within three touchdowns of beating them in any regular season game. Quarterback Connor Neal is the leader of a potent offense with no shortage of quick strike ability.
FSHS leads the all time series 62-28-7. The Polar Bears won last year’s game 35-14. East Fairmont’s last win in the series came in 2007 — 27-21 in overtime.
No. 2 Bridgeport (8-1) at Lincoln (4-5): Bridgeport got a week off following an impressive win against a playoff-bound Keyser team back on October 19.
The Indians’ defense shined in that one as the unit forced a pair of key turnovers in scoring situations for Keyser. Bridgeport also stopped a two-point conversion attempt and also tipped a point-after try.
Bridgeport is 3-1 against potential playoff teams with victories over Keyser, Robert C. Byrd and Lewis County. The lone loss was at the hands of top-ranked Fairmont Senior back in mid-September.
Tailback Jake Bowen needs 74 yards on the ground to become Bridgeport’s all-time rushing leader.
Bridgeport can clinch a top four seed with a victory. The Indians would finish anywhere between the second and fourth seed with a win.
Philip Barbour (2-7) at No. 6 Robert C. Byrd (7-2): The Eagles can secure a first-round home playoff game with a fifth straight victory.
RCB has been riding 6-foot-2, 205-pound running back Ghovan Davidson during its recent string of success. Davidson had 264 yards on 39 carries last week during a win at North Marion. He has 1,657 yards on the season.
The Colts defeated RCB in Philippi last season, 21-20 after overcoming a 12-point deficit. Philip Barbour has taken a step back this season, but is looking to play the role of spoiler here.
Grafton (5-3) at North Marion (4-5): The Bearcats begin the week just out of the playoffs at No. 17.
Grafton still has a chance to reach the postseason with a win, but they need some help. Grafton can get into the playoffs with a victory over the Huskies if Frankfort, Petersburg or Oak Hill loses.
Clay-Battelle (5-4) at Madonna (3-6): The Cee-Bees were beaten by Notre Dame last week but they still harbor playoff hopes as they head into the regular season finale.
Clay-Battelle needs a win over Madonna and losses by Fayetteville, Tyler Consolidated, Pocahontas County and Tygarts Valley.
Other games: Tucker County (6-3) at Notre Dame (4-5); Liberty (5-4) at South Harrison (1-8); Elkins (4-5) at Buckhannon-Upshur (4-5)