WEST UNION, W.Va. -Doddridge County football coach Dan McConnell knows his team must play the complete game to have a chance with Williamstown on Friday night.
That's something the Bulldogs didn't accomplish last week against Parkersburg Catholic.
"I told the kids we have to play the way we did against South Harrison at the beginning of the year - everything went right," McConnell said. "We didn't show up last Saturday against Parkersburg Catholic, so we're due to have a good game."
Doddridge County handled South Harrison 33-7, but a sub-par effort against Parkersburg Catholic resulted in a 30-7 defeat. Against the Crusaders, running back Corey Aichele rushed for 87 yards on 13 carries. However, Doddridge County managed just 12 offensive plays in the first half while falling behind 20-7.
"The Parkersburg Catholic offense was able to get some momentum going and were able to hold onto the ball for most of the first half," Williamstown coach Terry Smith said.
The night before in Pleasant County, Williamstown had its hands full after St. Marys shut out the Yellowjackets in the first half. Running back Trey King finally broke free after intermission and scored two touchdowns as Williamstown salvaged a 14-0 victory and improved to 5-0.
"St. Marys had the advantage of the weather - the weather was on their side," McConnell said. "Trey King took over in the second half, so he is somebody we have to stop."
The Blue Devils forced five fumbles but only recovered one.
"I was concerned, that's for sure," Smith said. "St. Marys played well, especially on defense. We couldn't get anything going. The kids just hung in there and tried the best they could."
With 718 yards rushing, King ranks third in the Mid-Ohio Valley behind Paden City's Taylor Still and Aichele. Always a threat to to throw the ball, Aichele's numbers are just as impressive with 904 yards rushing and 13 TDs.
Last year in a 62-14 loss at Williamstown, Aichele started at quarterback and finished the night with 60 yards rushing and one touchdown completion.
In that same game, Calhoun County pulled to within 13-6 in the second quarter before Williamstown scored 54 unanswered points.
"Aichele looks for his holes; he runs hard and runs fast, but Parkersburg Catholic kept him bottled up for the most part," Smith said.
Williamstown's sack exchange could be the X-factor when it faces the 3-3 Bulldogs. Since taking over on a permanent basis for an injured Evan Smith, Chris McDuffy has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. The junior is among the area leaders with six sacks, while teammate Spencer Beall has five sacks. Not far behind are fellow Yellowjacket members Aaron Jones, Devon Carr and Avery Goff with three apiece.
"Beall and McDuffy have gotten the opportunity and they seem to make things happen," Smith said.
"Against St. Marys, we put their offense in some second and long, and third and long situations. We were still bringing people and causing confusion. It was real muddy in the middle of the field and because their quarterback was unable to throw, he was a sitting duck."
With four games remaining, Doddridge is still clinging to its playoff hopes.
"We're not giving up on them yet," McConnell said.
