Class AAA West Virginia Football Quarterfinals
South Charleston at Martinsburg
Saturday 1:30 pm
Coburn Field
Match Up
The #2 ranked Martinsburg Bulldog football team will look to continue there state title run with a win over #10 ranked South Charleston. The Bulldogs and the Black Eagles will mix it up Saturday at Coburn Field in the Class AAA West Virginia State Football Quarterfinals.
Martinsburg enters the game with a 10-1 record and are coming off a very impressive first round win over Brooke High School 49-7. In that game the Bulldogs running game was a dominant force. Josh Tywman continued to be a workhorse for the Bulldogs; the senior carried the ball 21 times for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns. Marcus Scott also displayed his athleticism by carrying the ball 7 times for 129 yards and breaking free for two 50 plus yard touchdowns.
South Charleston brings there 8-3 record to Martinsburg and the Black Eagles are playing there best football of the year! Last week the Black Eagles pulled off a mild upset in beating #7 ranked Hurricane 35-22. Quarterback Ricky Dunham had his best performance of the season throwing for 200 yards and 4 touchdown passes. South Charleston's main weapon Deoin Spurlock continued to shine; Spurlock caught 2 touchdowns (59, 24) to pace the Black Eagles.
Key Players To Watch
Martinsburg's Josh Twyman is a force on the football field as soon as he touches the grass. In eleven games Twyman has rushed for 1711 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. Twyman is a very dependable runner who can get you that needed first down.
South Charleston's Deoin Spurlock might be one of the best athletes in the State of West Virginia. Spurlock does it all for the Black Eagles and leads his team in almost every statistical category. Spurlock has 1562 All purpose yards, 17 touchdowns, and also leads the team in receptions (28) and interceptions.
Keys to the Game
South Charleston
- Stop the Run! (Last week Martinsburg rushed for 380 yards)
- Find success early (Don't allow Bulldog team and crowd to get extra energy)
- Get the ball to there Playmaker! (Deoin Spurlock is a big time player)
- Neutralize the line of scrimmage (Bulldogs have won this area all season long)
Martinsburg
- Stay Balanced with play calling (Bulldogs can score on the ground and air)
- Win the special team's game! (Jordan Mason 92 yard KO Return last week)
- Swarm to the ball on defense (SC has great team speed)
- Limit Big Plays for South Charleston (quick strike scoring team)
Key Stats to Watch
- South Charleston is averaging 27 points a game and gives up 21 points a game.
- Martinsburg is averaging 32 points a game and only gives up 11 points a game.
- South Charleston's defense gave up 319 yards to Hurricane last week.
- Martinsburg's defense has given up under 1000 yards through 11 games.
- South Charleston's top two running backs have combined for 1579 yards (19 TD's)
- Martinsburg's top two running backs have combined for 2415 yards (31 TD's)
Prediction
The Martinsburg Football team is a very deep and talented group. Three times this season South Charleston has given up 30 plus points and they have lost all three of those games. Martinsburg is averaging 32 points a game and there offense is in high gear. This game will be close early because of South Charleston's athleticism but look for the Bulldogs to break away late behind the play of Martinsburg's big boys upfront.
Martinsburg 35
South Charleston 20
