Martinsburg versus Fairmont Senior Preview
Match Up
The #2 ranked Martinsburg Bulldogs face off against the #6 ranked Fairmont Senior on Saturday to decide who is moving on to the State Championship game which is held in Wheeling, WV. Both teams have played outstanding football throughout there playoff run. Martinsburg defeated #15 Brooke 42-7 behind an amazing 380 total rushing yards as a team. In the quarterfinals the Bulldogs showed there dominance on the defensive side of the ball limiting #10 ranked South Charleston to 118 total yards and 5 first downs. Fairmont Senior defeated #11 Wheeling Park 40-21 in the first round of the playoffs. In the quarterfinals the Polar Bears snuck by #3 Nitro 35-28. In both victories the Polar Bears were led by the play of there outstanding quarterback Kyle Allard. In two playoff games Allard is responsible for 10 touchdowns (8 passing, 2 runs) and has thrown for 575 yards. Both With both teams entering this semifinal game with plenty of momentum you can be sure that this will be an incredible high school football game.
Keys to the Game
Fairmont Senior
-Must establish the run (Keep Bulldogs off guard)
-Have success on 1rst and 2nd Downs (Stay away from 3rd and 7 plus)
-Stop Bulldog ground attack (Twyman 1800 and Scott 900 yards)
-Live by the pass, Die by the Pass (averaging close to 30 passes a game)
Martinsburg
-Pressure the Quarterback (If Allard gets time it's a completion)
-Switch secondary coverages ( keep talented QB guessing)
-Run Bulldogs Run (Line Play and Running Backs have been outstanding)
-Play Inspired Football (Use the Home Field Energy as Motivation)
Players to Watch
Fairmont Senior Wide Receiver Ben Kettering. At 6'6" Kettering is a difficult assignment for most teams. The talented senior leads the Polar Bears with 65 catches for 893 yards and 15 TD's.
Martinsburg Defensive Back Xavier Peters. Peters is the Bulldogs shut down corner and will be asked to cover Fairmont's #1 receiver Ben Kettering. Peters has 11 interceptions this season and has come up big every game for the Bulldogs.
Statistical Leaders
Martinsburg
Josh Twyman 1800 rushing yards and 22 TD's
Marcus Scott 900 rushing yards 11 TD's
Dustin Peters 1500 passing yards 10 TD's
Fairmont Senior
Kyle Allard 183/335 2,681 passing yards 33 TD's/ 6 int's
Ben Kettering 65 catches for 893 yards and 15 TD's
Jerry Kelly 776 rushing yards (missed 3 games)
Predictions
Martinsburg's defense has given up one touchdown in the playoffs so far with that being a trick play for Brooke. No team has been able to consistently drive the ball down the field and score against the Bulldogs. Expect Martinsburg's defense to frustrate quarterback Kyle Allardand the Polar Bears passing attack and the Bulldogs to run the ball with Twyman and Scott exploding through holes the talented Bulldog line created.
Martinsburg 27
Fairmont Senior 17
