State Title On The Line For Martinsburg
Match up
Saturday's AAA West Virginia State Championship game between the Big Reds of Parkersburg and the Bulldogs from Martinsburg will be a match up between the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the state. Parkersburg enters the game with a perfect 13-0 record; the Bulldogs enter the contest with a sharp 12-1 record. Let's be honest! Any team that reaches the State Championship game is both worthy and capable of winning the Championship but we will have to wait until Saturday to see which team plays the best on that given day!
Keys to the Game
Parkersburg
-Must contain Bulldog Rushing attack (Martinsburg avg. 300 plus yards in playoffs)
-Force Martinsburg to be one dimensional (Rushing 3,549, Passing 1,552)
-Run Parkersburg Run (Parkersburg avg. 270 rushing yards a game)
- Be able to throw the ball to keep D off balance (PHS 595 passing all season)
Martinsburg
-Must rap up and make first tackle (PHS has three physical runners)
-Force Parkersburg into 3rd and Longs (Make them have to throw)
-Win the battle at the Line (MHS has done this all season)
-Stay unpredictable in play calls (MHS uses many different formations and plays)
Players To Watch
Parkersburg's Matt Lindamood and Charlie Taylor. Lindamood and Taylor are the top running backs for the Big Reds. Lindamood used his speed to shred defenses all season long (1,397 and 23 TD's). Taylor is a bruising fullback who is almost impossible to take down alone (1,033 and 10 TD's). These guys compliment one another like Thunder and Lightning.
Martinsburg's Josh Twyman and Marcus Scott. Twyman and Scott have proven all season that they can gain positive yards versus any team. Twyman is a workhorse who fights for every yard he gains (1,849 and 22 TD's). Scott is a game breaker who can score from anywhere on the field (995 and 11 TD's). Both players have proven to be clutch all season long for the Bulldogs.
Inside The Numbers
Strength of Schedule
Parkersburg Opponents Regular Season Record= 45 wins and 55 losses
Martinsburg Opponents Regular Season Record= 60 wins and 40 losses
Season Point Totals
Parkersburg 378 points Opponents 83 points
Martinsburg 413 points Opponents 124 points
Total Team Rushing Yards
Parkersburg 3,510 yards on 614 carries (5.7 average)
Martinsburg 3,549 yards on 551 carries (6.4 average)
Total Team Passing Yards
Parkersburg 595 yards
Martinsburg 1,552 yards
Interesting Fact
In 1994 the Martinsburg Basketball team had a 23-2 record with no losses coming against a West Virginia team all season. Martinsburg knocked off #1 ranked Dupont to win the State title. In 2006 the Martinsburg football team has a record of 12-1 and has not lost to a West Virginia team all season. (Will history repeat itself?)
Prediction
The Buzz around the State is that Parkersburg is the clear cut favorite to win the Title. With a 13-0 versus a 12-1 squaring off I feel either team is capable of winning this game. In my opinion I feel that both teams have some advantages over there opponents. Playing on turf gives an edge to Parkersburg because of there home field being a turf surface. I feel Martinsburg has advantage in terms of strength of schedule. Martinsburg has faced three teams in Fort Hill (MD) , Urbana (MD) and Rockbridge County (VA) who are all still playing deep into there states playoff. As talented as Parkersburg is look for Martinsburg to continue to play as a team and bring home its first State Title.
Martinsburg 20
Parkersburg 14
