Multiple Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference football teams have emerged as state championship contenders as regular season play goes into its seventh week. Now that the battle for a spot in the postseason has been eliminated, as all six EPAC teams have a guaranteed ticket, the conference has now shifted into a battle for seeding.
The Spring Mills Cardinals ranked first in the latest WVSSAC ratings.
Having yet to give up a single point across six consecutive games, the Cardinals’ defense has seemingly become a brick wall.
Spring Mills’ offense has been a force to be reckoned with as well. Led by Kennedy Award contender Max Anderson, the Cardinals have outscored their opponents 297-0 this season.
The Cardinals are currently on a bye week as they rest up before hosting University next Friday.
Reigning state champions, the Martinsburg Bulldogs, were rated second by the WVSSAC.
Martinsburg and Spring Mills are currently the only undefeated schools in Class AAAA with a perfect 6-0 record. However, the Bulldogs have a slight scoring edge on the Cardinals.
This season Martinsburg has put up a total of 319 points against their opponents under quarterback Koi Fagan, who has also emerged as a Kennedy Award contender.
The Bulldogs’ defense remains strong as ever despite the loss of Huff and Stydahar Award winner Rashad Reid. Since Reid’s graduation, transfer All-State lineman Zavier Pollard has filled his shoes well.
Martinsburg will travel to Morgantown to face the Mohigans today at 7 p.m.
The Washington Patriots were rated eighth in the latest WVSSAC poll.
After losing their first game of the season, Washington bounced back to put up their best midway record in school history (4-1) going into last week’s competition against Spring Mills.
The Patriots fell to the Cardinals and their record is currently 4-2.
Since the second week of the season Washington has maintained a scoring edge over their opponents. As of Thursday, they have outscored their opponents 145-124.
Washington is led by transfer quarterback Michael Thompson, who currently leads the team with six touchdowns this season. Other standouts on offense have been wide receiver Isaah Beard and Tavon Jones. Beard leads the team with an average of 61.3 receiving yards per game and Jones leads with an average of 60.8 rushing yards per game.
The Patriots’ defense has been led by powerhouse lineman Kyree Brooks. He averages 13 tackles per game.
Like Spring Mills, Washington is also on a bye week.
Jefferson ranked 11th in the latest WVSSAC poll with a 2-3 record. All three of their losses have been against extremely competitive teams.
The Cougars have shown a strong passing game this season under quarterback Dylan Harich and a solid roster of receivers.
Even with dominance in the air, Jefferson has been outscored by their opponents 178-113.
The Cougars will return to action today to host South Hagerstown at 7 p.m.
Hedgesville has plummeted from third to their current ranking of 13th across the last two WVSSAC polls.
The Eagles hold a record of 2-3 so far after winning their first two games of the season and then losing their last three. They have been outscored by exactly 100 points across five games.
Yesterday Hedgesville faced Liberty on the road with a hunger to snap their losing streak. Results of the game were not available at press time.
The Musselman Applemen ranked 15th in the latest WVSSAC poll.
The Applemen are a young but tenacious team led by underclassmen this year. They have yet to win a game with their current record of 0-5 but all eyes are on their matchup against Cabell Midland today at 7 p.m.
Cabell Midland is the only other team in Class AAAA with a 0-5 record.
