Super Six Kicks off With AA Contest
Friday, December 1, 2006
By SHAWN RINE - The Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register

Some people wonder why you began your workout regimen one week after last season ended.

This is why you did it.

Coming home early and going to bed while your friends are out partying the summer away?

This is why you did it.

Sweating through two August practices a day while every other sane person is lounging on a pool raft?

This is why you did it.

Suffering through those boring, seemingly meaningless preseason scrimmages?

You guessed it. This is why you did it.

More than 120 football-playing schools in the state of West Virginia began the season with a common goal: to be competing on the first weekend in December at Wheeling Island Stadium.

Only six — the Super Six as they’re appropriately known — are lucky enough to have reached high and snatched their dream.

To the players, families, fans and coaches of Parkersburg, Martinsburg, Wayne, Tolsia and Williamstown, we say congratulations and welcome to the Friendly City. Wheeling Central already knows — there is indeed no place like our home.

Win or lose, your names have already been etched in the annals of both the state and your respective school’s history books.

You have captured the imaginations of countless numbers of children and grownups alike.

This weekend is for you. Embrace it.

Gentlemen, the stage is deservedly yours.

Unfortunately we can’t have six state champions. Somebody has to lose.

So it’s up to the ‘experts’ to break down the matchups and figure out who takes home the hardware and who will have that little bit of extra motivation when workouts commence next week.

Well, after an arduous Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament here in our office, it seems as though the honor has been bestowed upon myself (Note: never allow a family member of the Assistant Sports Editor to referee an important match).

Without further delay:

Class AAA

No. 2 Martinsburg (12-1) vs. No. 1 Parkersburg (13-0), noon Saturday

Both teams have been here before, but with very different results.

Guys like former Big Reds Scott ‘Babe’ Davis and Marc Kimes left Wheeling with a special feeling.

Guys like former Bulldogs Steve Roach, Nate Sowers and Brandon Barrett left knowing they were oh-so-close.

What’s that mean? Nothing.

Parkersburg’s defense has made a mockery of its opponents, having allowed more than seven points twice this season. Martinsburg’s offense, led by Kennedy Award candidate Josh Twyman and his more than 1,800 yards rushing, has paved the way to a 10-game winning streak.

Don’t take my word on this one, but ask Peyton Manning how often a good defense beats a good offense.

PARKERSBURG, 20-14

Most Outstanding Player: Parkersburg QB Andy Thomas.

Class AA

No. 4 Tolsia (11-2) vs. No. 3 Wayne (11-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday

This one is personal as both hail from Wayne County and have already played once this season. According to our own Doug Huff, this is the first time in Wheeling Super Six history two teams from the same county will meet for the title.

Tolsia won the regular-season matchup rather handily (30-19) as running back B.J. Evans, another legitimate contender for the Kennedy Award, ran for a school-record 360 yards.

Wayne coach Tommy Harmon admits his team has matchup problems, and it’s almost never a good thing when the coach concedes such things prior to a big game. But don’t discount the Pioneers’ one-two running punch of Justin Gilkerson and Travis Thompson which has run for 2,474 yards.

It’s always tough to beat the same team twice in one season, but on a hunch ...

TOLSIA, 23-20

Most Outstanding Player: Tolsia RB B.J. Evans

Class A

No. 2 Williamstown (13-0) vs. No. 1 Wheeling Central (13-0), 7 p.m. Saturday

If ever there were a case of the irresistible force and the immovable object, this is clearly it.

Williamstown has won 56 consecutive games during the regular season but has yet to clear the hump and win a state title. Wheeling Central, on the other hand, is no stranger to trophies having picked up the last two WVSSAC Class A crowns, and five in the last seven seasons including a 35-20 victory against these same Yellowjackets a year ago.

The game figures to come down to the play of the interior lines. Williamstown coach Terry Smith feels that’s the strength of his team.

Well, there isn’t a better offensive line around than that of Wheeling Central. It has opened gaping holes for (how many times can these three words be mentioned in one story?) Kennedy Award contender Brandon Tucker.

If Tucker had played 10 full games he may have 2,700 yards like Tolsia’s Evans. As it stands, he’s 16 shy of 2,000.

I’m going with my gut and recent history.

WHEELING CENTRAL, 31-20

Most Outstanding Player: Wheeling Central RB Brandon Tucker