Waynesburg Central at Frazier

Waynesburg (0-3), (0-3):

Last week, Waynesburg turned in its best defensive performance of the season allowing just 7 points, however, it was still one too many, falling at home to Charleroi 7-6. Breydon Woods had an 87-yard touchdown run, but the extra point failed, and the Cougars’ successful extra point after a second-quarter touchdown was enough for the win.

Can the Raiders build off this close loss with another strong defensive game? Or did they merely look better against the second worst offense in the Century Conference, who like themselves, has only managed 13 points in three games. 

Frazier (1-1), (1-2): 

The Commodores were blanked 42-0 on the road by conference-leading McGuffey last Friday. After opening with a 34-0 win over Charleroi in Week 1, they’ve managed just 19 points the last two weeks. A win this week would match their conference win total from last season when they went 2-5 to finish sixth in the conference.

Junior quarterback Brayden Boggs has five touchdowns and just one interception so far this season. A solid night from him should be enough to get the job done. 

Keys to the game:

• Can Waynesburg manage more than one score?
• How will Frazier’s offense bounce back from a shutout? 

 

West Greene at Carmichaels:

West Greene (1-1), (1-1):

The Pioneers are out to quickly forget being upset by Avella, 21-20, last week. After having a week off with the game against California cancelled, they battled back and forth before dropping to the upstart Eagles at home. 

With one loss already matching the regular-season total from last season, West Greene aims to claim superiority in a fight with another blue and gold themed squad.

The two W’s, without a doubt, lead the Pioneer offense. Junior running back Corey Wise is averaging over 11 yards per carry, and junior quarterback Wesley Whipkey threw one touchdown and ran for another in last week’s loss.

Carmichaels (3-0), (3-0): 

The Mighty Mikes have rolled through their first three games with wins of 25 points or more in each game. Now they face their toughest test against the reigning Tri-County South Conference Champs. 

Carmichaels is averaging 41 points for and allowing only ten points against so far this season. Expect both of those numbers to change after Friday night, regardless if the Mikes win or lose, this game won’t be as easy.

Through the air or on the ground, they can score. Junior quarterback Trenton Carter has three passing touchdowns this season, and running back Bailey Jones has run five scores through three games. West Greene may stop one, but likely not both from doing damage to the defense. 

Keys to the game:

• West Greene with a full week of practice for this game
• Will Carmichaels rise to the challenge in their biggest game since 1A return?

 

Mapletown at Monessen:

Mapletown (0-3), (0-3):

The good news, Mapletown put up 18 points last week, 10 more than they scored in any other game so far. The bad news, the Maples gave up 49 points, 6 more than they allowed in any other game so far. 

After back to back 43-8 losses the first two weeks, the young Mapletown team doubled its point total in last week’s 49-18 loss to California, but still allowed 40-plus points. 

Monessen presents its most winnable game yet, but the Maples haven’t defeated the Greyhounds since 2016. That being a 22-12 win to end the regular season in the last year they went to the playoffs as well.

Monessen (0-3), (0-3):

Despite being 0-3, the Greyhounds have been in every game this season. The last two losses, each by 8 points to Bentworth and Jefferson Morgan. Facing the only other winless team in the Tri-County South, one of these teams is bound to get win No. 1. 

No ties in high school football, yet there are in the NFL, funny how that works. 

Monessen has won its last three matchups with Mapletown, including a 24-8 victory at home last season. Two to three touchdowns could be enough to get past the Maples and put one in the win column this season.

Keys to the game:

• Can Mapletown’s defense sure up and not allow over 40 points?
• Will Monessen’s offense find it’s rhythm against an inexperienced Maples bunch?

 

Yellow Jacket Newspaper Game of The Week: Bentworth vs. Jefferson Morgan at John F. Wiley Stadium

Bentworth (1-2), (1-2):

Bentworth’s season has been back and forth through three weeks. They’ve lost, won, lost, but each loss has been at home, with their lone win on the road at Monessen 14-6 in Week 2. Going on the road won’t bother them, even with the game at John F. Wiley Stadium. 

The Bearcats win was close, but each loss has been by 20 points or more. Last year, they lost 46-39 at home to the Rockets but won at Jefferson Morgan 29-7 in 2018. 

With both teams averaging 12 points for, and between 24-27 points against and the game at “neutral field” if you will, this one should be close.

Jefferson Morgan (1-2), (1-2):

The Rockets are 1-0 so far at Wiley with a 22-14 win over Monessen last week. Maybe the traditional home field of the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets is good luck for Jefferson Morgan? 

As far as actual gameplay is concerned, expect the offense to go through Jonathan Wolfe. The senior running back had 172 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win. The ground game carried the Rockets to one win in their home away from home, can it work again this week?

This game will put the winner in sole possession of fifth place in the Tri-County South Conference entering Week 5. 

Keys to the game:

• Are Bentworth “Road Warriors” in 2020?
• Does Jefferson Morgan run Wiley Stadium by running at will?