BUCKHANNON – Yes, Buckhannon-Upshur finished 0-10 and that is something that they will have to own, but let’s put a bow on their schedule for one last time.
According to the WVSSAC ratings, the Bucs had the toughest schedule in Class AAA and were tied with Hedgesville for the second toughest schedule in all of West Virginia regardless of classification. Eight of the 10 teams played had winning records and nine of the 10 are ranked in the top 20 of their respective classes.
I have never been a proponent of taking on an easy schedule, but for the Bucs to rebuild, this has to change. I know next year’s schedule is complete, and even though I haven’t seen the confirmed version, I believe East Fairmont is replacing Morgantown, Lincoln is replacing Grafton and Robert C Bryd will take Oak Hill’s spot.
If that is correct, that is a good start. Even though Morgantown was very sportsmanlike in not running the score up on us, we don’t need to be playing them in football right now. While East Fairmont is on a nice run, one would think that playing them would be a tad easier than Morgantown. In my opinion, adding Lincoln and RCB and getting rid of Grafton and Oak Hill is a win too. Not much of a change, but it should be a more manageable schedule next year.
I am already look forward to 2025.
Now onto the important stuff, the My Buckhannon standings, which look like this.
Name Week Overall
Duane 6-1 55-15
Brian 6-1 54-16
Katie 6-1 47-23
Monica 5-2 43-27
Brian, Katie and I all went 6-1 while Monica posted a 5-2 mark. That leaves me with still a one-game lead over Brian while Katie stays in third and Monica remains in fourth place. Brian and I have two games different this week, so it is about to get ineteresting.
We had four readers post 6-1 marks last week — Jeremy Harsh, Greg Abel, Brian Jones and Bobbie Hatcher — but it was BRIAN JONES that won our tiebreaker. The total points for the Marshall-UL Monroe game was 51 points and Brian picked 49, so congrats to Brian for winning our $20 gift certificate to Sam’s Pizza. If you are reading this before Friday at 7 p.m., you can still get your picks in by clicking here.
Now onto our games this week.
East Fairmont (5-3) at Fairmont Senior (8-1)
It will be interesting to see how Fairmont Senior responds after their Bridgeport beatdown last week. They are dealing with some injuries as well. East Fairmont has quietly put together a 5-3 season and are ranked ninth. A win over their rival would give them a first-round home game but I think the Polar Bears rebound. East lost this game last year by a 48-14 score.
Duane: Fairmont Senior; Brian: Fairmont Senior; Katie: Fairmont Senior; Monica: Fairmont Senior
Charleston (9-0) at West Virginia Wesleyan (0-9)
Wesleyan made strides two weeks ago almost getting their first win against Concord before a controversial call on a safety took it away from them, but last week was a total disaster in a 79-20 loss to UNC-Pembroke. It doesn’t get any easier as they host Charleston, who is a perfect 9-0 and ranked sixth in the nation. At this point, I don’t know what the answer is for Wesleyan football as their losing streak has reached 22 games now.
Duane: Charleston; Brian: Charleston; Katie: Charleston; Monica: Charleston
West Virginia (4-4) at Cincinnati (5-3)
Will WVU get bowl eligible with four games remaining after a season where they were thought to be one of the favorites to win the Big 12? They have road games at Cincinnati and Texas Tech and home games with Baylor and UCF. I could see WVU sweeping all four games or losing all four games. Who knows. For some reason, I see them beating the Bearcats this week.
Duane: West Virginia; Brian: Cincinnati; Katie: West Virginia; Monica: Cincinnati
The Final Four:
Grafton (3-6) at Lewis County (4-5)
Duane: Lewis County; Brian: Lewis County; Katie: Lewis County; Monica: Lewis County
Preston (3-6) at Philip Barbour (6-3)
Duane: Philip Barbour; Brian: Philip Barbour; Katie: Preston; Monica: Philip Barbour
Marshall (5-3) at Southern Miss (1-7)
Duane: Marshall; Brian: Marshall; Katie: Southern Miss; Monica: Marshall
Alabama (6-2) at LSU (6-2)
Duane: Alabama; Brian: LSU; Katie: Alabama; Monica: Alabama
