Bulldogs worked hard to exceed expectations
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
By DAVE POE- The Parkersburg News & The Parkersburg Sentinel

MARTINSBURG —There’s a team playing for the Class AAA state championship this Saturday that has exceeded all expectations.

Exceeded them due to its hard work, its tenacious nature on the field and its love for the game.

If you said that sounds like top-ranked and undefeated Parkersburg High, you are exactly right. But it also is an apt description of No. 2 Martinsburg.

“I have been very pleased with this team,’’ said David Walker, the coach of the 12-1 Bulldogs. “I’ve got a group of overachievers. We are very happy to be where we are at now.’’

Where Martinsburg is at is playing Parkersburg for the Class AAA state title at noon Saturday in the Super Six at Wheeling Island Stadium. It’s the fourth time in six years Walker and the Bulldogs have advanced to the state title game.

Martinsburg has established itself among the elite Class AAA programs in West Virginia, but its resume lacks one essential item —the Bulldogs don’t have a state title. They lost the championship game to Parkersburg High in 2001, to Parkersburg South in 2003 and to Morgantown in 2004.

“It seems every year come playoff time we meet one of the Parkersburg teams,’’ Walker said.

In 2001, the Bulldogs beat Parkersburg South in the quarterfinals before losing to Parkersburg High in the state championship game. In 2002, South traveled to Martinsburg and exacted revenge on the Bulldogs, winning a state semifinal game. In 2003, the Patriots and Bulldogs met again, this time in the state title game, which South won with a second half comeback. In 2004, the Bulldogs eliminated Parkersburg High in the semifinal round.

This season, Martinsburg’s only loss came to Urbana (Md.), 30-7. The Bulldogs, who played just three West Virginia teams during the regular season, have looked impressive in beating three more Mountain State foes during the playoffs. Martinsburg has dispatched Brooke (49-7), South Charleston (13-2) and Fairmont Senior (40-0).

In three playoff games, the Bulldogs have surrendered just nine points. Like Parkersburg, this team can play defense.

Like Parkersburg, it also can move the football. Start with senior running back Josh Twyman, one of the leading candidates for the Kennedy Award. He has rushed for more than 4,000 yards in his career and hadn’t been held under 100 yards per game this season until the Fairmont Senior game. Still hobbling from an ankle injury that occurred during the South Charleston game, Twyman was pulled following an early 46-yard run and stayed on the bench.

But Walker expects his star to be ready for Parkersburg.

“Josh tweaked his ankle,’’ Walker said. “I’m sure he’ll be ready on Saturday.’’

Martinsburg didn’t need Twyman last week. His replacement, Zach Newhouse, rushed for 127 yards and four TDs as the Bulldogs buried a Fairmont Senior that had upset Nitro in the quarterfinals.

Martinsburg quarterback Dustin Peters stands 6-feet-2 and weighs 225 pounds. Parkersburg High coach Bernie Buttrey describes him as being built like a fullback. He certainly can run like one as he gained 80 yards on the ground against Fairmont Senior.

The Bulldogs have speed in the form of running back Marcus Scott, who gained 167 yards against Fairmont Senior.

“Parkersburg has been a hotbed of football,’’ Walker said. “We don’t have the tradition Parkersburg has. But we expect to win the game. Our guys have worked hard and our goal is to win.’’