UC needs win, help to reach playoffs
By Matt McCartney
For The Charleston Gazette
With the final weekend of play in the West Virginia Conference looming, postseason possibilities are on the minds of three teams. However, only one of those teams has assured itself a berth in the Division II playoffs.
Shepherd (9-1 overall, 7-1 conference) clinched its fourth straight WVC title this past weekend, defeating West Virginia State 42-7. The Rams moved up to the No. 2 spot in the Division II Northeast region rankings.
The other two teams hoping for a postseason berth are West Liberty State (7-3, 5-2) and the University of Charleston (7-3, 5-2). Prior to last weekend, the Golden Eagles looked to be poised to enter the playoffs. However, a loss to West Liberty knocked Charleston back to the No. 10 spot in the region. The Hilltoppers, by virtue of the win, re-entered the rankings at ninth.
Only the top six teams in each region qualify for the playoffs. While the possibility of WL or UC finishing in the top six exists, each would need help — upset losses by teams ranked above them. Seven of the eight teams ranked above WL play this weekend, three against other ranked teams. With only one higher-ranked team guaranteed to lose, a series of upsets would be required to jockey either team into the top six.
Of course, all scenarios are meaningless unless the Hilltoppers and Golden Eagles take care of business themselves.
Charleston will play host to Glenville State (6-4, 5-2) at UC Stadium at 1 p.m. Triana Energy is sponsoring the game and free tickets will be available to the public at the gates. The Pioneers are coming off a thrilling 45-41 win over West Virginia Wesleyan in a game that saw 10 lead changes and a combined offensive output of nearly 1,100 yards.
While the Eagles prefer to run the ball, Glenville is a little more varied in its offensive attack.
The Pioneers average 390 yards per game, with 211 on the ground and 179 through the air. Jerry Seymour ranks second in the WVC with 1,593 rushing yards. While UC is more than effective against the run, it is susceptible against the pass. The Eagles gave up 209 yards and two TDs through the air last weekend and allow an average of 226 yards passing — worst in the conference.
While the Glenville offense is high-powered, its defense is not. The Pioneers rank next to last in the WVC in total defense, allowing 391 yards per game, and rank in the bottom four in both rush defense and pass defense.
The key for UC may be controlling the ball with the conference’s third-best running attack. DeRante Hunter (777 yards) and Josh Culbertson (433 yards) both rank among the top nine in the conference in rushing yardage.
On tap for West Liberty is a home date with Seton Hill (3-6, 3-4). The Hilltoppers are still flying high after their win over the Eagles while the Griffins lost to Fairmont State 47-20.
West Liberty boasts the best offense in the conference and the third-best defense. Quarterback Zach Amedro leads the WVC with 2,779 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. With Seton Hill allowing 385 total yards per contest, the Hilltoppers could light it up.
Wesleyan (3-7, 1-6) will play host to West Virginia State (6-3, 4-3). Both teams are coming off losses.
Interestingly, the Yellow Jackets have the second-best passing attack in the conference, with the Bobcats having the second-worst pass defense. State’s Kevin O’Brien has thrown for 1,972 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season. His favorite target, Jermain King, has caught 43 passes and Brian Mitchell has rushed for 818 yards.
The remaining contest Saturday will be Concord (1-9, 0-7) at Fairmont State (5-5, 2-5). The Mountain Lions snapped a 15-game losing streak last weekend, defeating UNC Pembroke 10-0. It also marked the first shutout win for Concord since 1993. While the Falcons will be gunning to finish above .500, the Lions will simply be trying to win a conference game.
Concord ranks first in the conference in pass defense. A major reason for that is that it also ranks last in rushing defense. Fairmont rushed for 377 yards last weekend against a defense that gives up an average of just 6 fewer yards per game than do the Lions.
For The Charleston Gazette
With the final weekend of play in the West Virginia Conference looming, postseason possibilities are on the minds of three teams. However, only one of those teams has assured itself a berth in the Division II playoffs.
Shepherd (9-1 overall, 7-1 conference) clinched its fourth straight WVC title this past weekend, defeating West Virginia State 42-7. The Rams moved up to the No. 2 spot in the Division II Northeast region rankings.
The other two teams hoping for a postseason berth are West Liberty State (7-3, 5-2) and the University of Charleston (7-3, 5-2). Prior to last weekend, the Golden Eagles looked to be poised to enter the playoffs. However, a loss to West Liberty knocked Charleston back to the No. 10 spot in the region. The Hilltoppers, by virtue of the win, re-entered the rankings at ninth.
Only the top six teams in each region qualify for the playoffs. While the possibility of WL or UC finishing in the top six exists, each would need help — upset losses by teams ranked above them. Seven of the eight teams ranked above WL play this weekend, three against other ranked teams. With only one higher-ranked team guaranteed to lose, a series of upsets would be required to jockey either team into the top six.
Of course, all scenarios are meaningless unless the Hilltoppers and Golden Eagles take care of business themselves.
Charleston will play host to Glenville State (6-4, 5-2) at UC Stadium at 1 p.m. Triana Energy is sponsoring the game and free tickets will be available to the public at the gates. The Pioneers are coming off a thrilling 45-41 win over West Virginia Wesleyan in a game that saw 10 lead changes and a combined offensive output of nearly 1,100 yards.
While the Eagles prefer to run the ball, Glenville is a little more varied in its offensive attack.
The Pioneers average 390 yards per game, with 211 on the ground and 179 through the air. Jerry Seymour ranks second in the WVC with 1,593 rushing yards. While UC is more than effective against the run, it is susceptible against the pass. The Eagles gave up 209 yards and two TDs through the air last weekend and allow an average of 226 yards passing — worst in the conference.
While the Glenville offense is high-powered, its defense is not. The Pioneers rank next to last in the WVC in total defense, allowing 391 yards per game, and rank in the bottom four in both rush defense and pass defense.
The key for UC may be controlling the ball with the conference’s third-best running attack. DeRante Hunter (777 yards) and Josh Culbertson (433 yards) both rank among the top nine in the conference in rushing yardage.
On tap for West Liberty is a home date with Seton Hill (3-6, 3-4). The Hilltoppers are still flying high after their win over the Eagles while the Griffins lost to Fairmont State 47-20.
West Liberty boasts the best offense in the conference and the third-best defense. Quarterback Zach Amedro leads the WVC with 2,779 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. With Seton Hill allowing 385 total yards per contest, the Hilltoppers could light it up.
Wesleyan (3-7, 1-6) will play host to West Virginia State (6-3, 4-3). Both teams are coming off losses.
Interestingly, the Yellow Jackets have the second-best passing attack in the conference, with the Bobcats having the second-worst pass defense. State’s Kevin O’Brien has thrown for 1,972 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season. His favorite target, Jermain King, has caught 43 passes and Brian Mitchell has rushed for 818 yards.
The remaining contest Saturday will be Concord (1-9, 0-7) at Fairmont State (5-5, 2-5). The Mountain Lions snapped a 15-game losing streak last weekend, defeating UNC Pembroke 10-0. It also marked the first shutout win for Concord since 1993. While the Falcons will be gunning to finish above .500, the Lions will simply be trying to win a conference game.
Concord ranks first in the conference in pass defense. A major reason for that is that it also ranks last in rushing defense. Fairmont rushed for 377 yards last weekend against a defense that gives up an average of just 6 fewer yards per game than do the Lions.