by Joe Brocato

(10/12 update)

With one month to go in the regular season, here's a thumbnail sketch for all of the local squads still in playoff contenion (Results through Week 7):

• Bridgeport (#1, 7-0): The Indians will be favored to win their last three games, and if they can sweep Grafton, Fairmont Senior & North Marion, they'll collect a pile of bonus points in the process.  BHS hopes to hold off George Washington & Martinsburg for a Top 2 seed, which would guarantee homefield to Wheeling.
• Morgantown (#11, 4-2): The toughest challenge ahead for MHS is their Week 10 trip to University.  A win over the Hawks (coupled with expected wins over Westinghouse-PA, John Marshall & Brooke) will likely vault the Mohigans into the Top 8.
• Elkins (#13, 5-2): The table is set for the Tigers to make their first playoff appearance since 2003.  3 wins (over Fairmont Senior, Lewis Co. & North Marion) would certainly seal the deal, but 2 out of 3 would likely do the job as well.  A Top 8 spot appears out of reach regardless.
• Fairmont Senior (#14, 4-2): The Polar Bears will face a challenging schedule over the final month (@ Elkins, @ Wheeling Park, @ Bridgeport) followed by the East-West game.  3 wins will grant West safe passage to the playoffs.
• Robert C. Byrd (#16, 4-3): Despite an upset loss to East Fairmont in Week 7, RCB controls its own destiny for a playoff spot.  Wins over Magnolia, Parkersburg South & Lewis Co. would likely get the Eagle into the field of 16.
• Lewis County (#20, 4-3): It appears the Minutemen will rest on the playoff bubble for the fourth year in a row.  They're hoping for their third consecutive berth and wins over North Marion, Elkins & RCB could provide enough bonus points to do so.
• North Marion (#22, 3-3): The Huskies haven't advanced to the playoffs since 2002, but Daran Hays and company could break through this year.  A win over Bridgeport in Week 11 would be challenging but victories over Lewis Co., Nicholas Co. & Elkins would give them their first winning season in a decade and possibly a playoff berth.
• University (#23, 3-4): Despite outgaining and possibly outplaying postseason teams Bridgeport and Parkersburg South, "The U" has an uphill climb to extend their playoff streak to seven years.  The Hawks will be favored to beat winless John Marshall and 1-win Preston.  They'll also need an upset of Morgantown in the Mohawk Bowl to keep hopes alive.

• Lincoln (#7, 6-1): The Cougars are enjoying a well-earned bye week after key victories over Grafton & Ritchie Co.  One win in their final three games (Liberty, South Harrison, Notre Dame) will secure their first postseason berth since 2004.
• Grafton (#8, 5-1): Class "AAA" #1 Bridgeport awaits the Bearcats Friday but GHS remains in good postseason position.  Two wins in their final three games (Berkeley Springs, Liberty, Magnolia) will put the 'Cats in the second season for the first time since their state title run in 2008.
• Braxton County (#14, 4-3): The Eagles pulled the stunner of the week last Friday with a 51-13 victory over previously unbeaten and 2nd-ranked Ravenswood.  All of a sudden, Braxton is in position for their first playoff berth since 2005.  The Eagles will be heavy favorites in their final three games against Tyler Consolidated, Webster Co. and Sissonville and it is difficult to project a scenario where BCHS falls out while winning out.
• Ritchie County (#15, 4-2): The Rebels have dropped two in a row after a 4-0 start.  RCHS needs to take care of their next two games (Doddridge, Tyler Consolidated) because their final two games are daunting (Williamstown, Roane Co.).  6-4 may not be enough in a competitive "AA" year. 
• Liberty (#19, 4-3): For the Mountaineers to return to the postseason for the second year in a row, they'll likely need to sweep their final three games (South Harrison, Lincoln, Grafton) to advance.

• Clay-Battelle (#10, 5-1): The Cee-Bees appear poised for a postseason return after a 1-year absence.  CBHS will be favored to beat winless Tygarts Valley in Week 9.  1 win in their other three games (@ Cameron, vs. Notre Dame, vs. Weirton Madonna) should secure safe passage.
• South Harrison (#18, 3-3): The Hawks challenging schedule concludes with a pair of "AA" teams, #2 Wirt County and Saint Marys.  South will likely need to knock off either Liberty or Lincoln to qualify.
• Doddridge County (#19, 3-4): Back-to-back losses have damaged the Bulldog postseason hopes.  They'll need to run the table (@ Ritchie Co., @ Tucker Co., @ Saint Marys) to secure their first playoff berth since 2003.
• Tucker County (#21, 2-4): Four consecutive losses have placed Tucker County's playoff streak in jeopardy.  Still, the Mountain Lions have four favorable matchups in the final month (vs. Pendleton, vs. Doddridge, vs. Petersburg, @ Philip Barbour).  A 6-4 mark could be enough to extend their playoff run to four years.
• Notre Dame (#23, 2-4): The Irish playoff hopes are slim but not extinguished.  They'll face "AA" Philip Barbour, #11 Weirton Madonnna, #10 Clay-Battelle & "AA" #7 Lincoln.  So bonus points can be taken if the Irish get rolling.

Add it all up, and the view from here is North Central West Virginia will have 7 playoff teams (3 "AAA", 3 "AA" & 1 "A").

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