The Pendleton County (Franklin, WV) varsity football team will host Petersburg (WV) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: West Virginia High School Football
Who: Petersburg vs Pendleton County
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
“2024 WVSSAC Football Playoffs – A”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

A Closer Look at the Playoff Matchup: Petersburg vs. Pendleton County

As the West Virginia high school football playoffs heat up, the upcoming matchup between the Petersburg Vikings and the Pendleton County Wildcats promises to be an exciting battle. With both teams coming off solid regular-season performances, here’s a breakdown of how the two squads stack up against each other heading into their playoff clash.

Season Overview

• Petersburg Vikings (5-5 overall, 1-3 region): Petersburg enters the playoffs with a .500 record, going 5-5 during the regular season. Their regional performance has been a struggle with a 1-3 mark, but they managed to pull off some impressive wins along the way. Their season high points include a solid 31-20 victory over Pendleton County earlier in the season on September 13, 2024.
• Pendleton County Wildcats (7-3 overall, 3-2 region): Pendleton County, on the other hand, has been the more consistent team with a 7-3 overall record. They finished their regional play with a respectable 3-2 record, and they’re entering this playoff game with confidence. Their only head-to-head loss against Petersburg this season was in that early-season defeat.

Recent Head-to-Head Performance

• September 13, 2024: Petersburg 31, Pendleton County 20 The most recent meeting between these two teams saw Petersburg come out on top. Despite Pendleton County’s strong early effort, scoring 7 points each in the first two quarters, the Vikings held steady and outscored them in the second half, with a key 13-0 run in the second quarter and a solid finish to secure the win.Looking forward to the playoff rematch on November 15, 2024, Pendleton County will be seeking revenge, but they’ll need to make adjustments in order to close the gap that Petersburg widened in their first encounter.

Team Strengths and Key Players

Petersburg Vikings:

• Offensive Power: Petersburg’s offensive strength comes in the form of versatile playmakers. Quarterback James Vincell leads the passing attack with an average of 184.3 yards per game, while Josiah Kimble provides a deep threat with 92.4 receiving yards per game. The Vikings’ offensive strategy relies on a balanced passing and rushing attack.
• Defensive Edge: On defense, Chase Owens leads the team with 9.1 tackles per game, and Vincell also contributes with 0.8 sacks per game. This gives the Vikings a solid defensive backbone as they look to contain Pendleton County’s offensive threats.

Pendleton County Wildcats:

• Offensive Threats: Pendleton County’s offense has been potent, averaging 32.1 points per game. They boast a strong rushing attack, paired with a solid passing game that accumulates an average of 241.7 receiving yards per game. They have shown resilience in their wins, including a key 41-40 victory over Moorefield, a team Petersburg struggled against.
• Defensive Standouts: The Wildcats’ defense is led by James Vincell, who also excels in the defensive line with 0.2 sacks per game, and key tackler Chase Owens.

Key Matchup: Team Scoring Averages

Petersburg has managed an average of 25.7 points per game this season, which, while impressive, lags behind Pendleton County’s scoring output of 32.1 points per game. The Wildcats’ ability to consistently put up large point totals could give them an edge in a high-scoring contest.

Petersburg’s Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 2.4
• Q2: 6.8
• Q3: 5.4
• Q4: 2.4
• Total: 25.7 points/game

Pendleton County’s Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 10.0
• Q2: 13.0
• Q3: 5.3
• Q4: 2.8
• Total: 32.1 points/game

Pendleton County has been dominant early in games, averaging double digits in both the first and second quarters. However, their fourth-quarter scoring tends to taper off, which may become a critical factor if the game is close in the final moments.

Common Opponents and Record Breakdown

Both teams share a few common opponents this season, and their records against them highlight interesting trends. Pendleton County boasts a 3-1 record against shared opponents, while Petersburg holds a 1-3 mark.

• Moorefield: Pendleton County won 41-40, while Petersburg lost 47-14.
• Greenbrier West: Pendleton County won 27-21, while Petersburg defeated them 47-32.
• Tucker County: Pendleton County lost 38-13, while Petersburg fell 20-14.
• East Hardy: Pendleton County won 14-13, while Petersburg lost 51-6.

These results suggest Pendleton County has had more success against these teams, with a particularly impressive win against Moorefield, one of the toughest teams in the region.

What to Expect in the Playoff Game

This matchup is shaping up to be a battle of offensive power versus defensive strength. Pendleton County’s high-scoring offense will be put to the test by a Petersburg team that has shown it can hold its own against top competition. With a home-field advantage, Pendleton County will look to avenge their earlier loss to Petersburg and extend their playoff run, while the Vikings will aim to prove that their regular-season win was no fluke.

Ultimately, the game will likely come down to which team can establish control in the second half and capitalize on key moments. Expect a competitive and hard-fought playoff game as these two West Virginia teams clash for a spot in the next round.

Game Details:

• Date: Friday, November 15, 2024
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Location: Pendleton County High School (Franklin, WV)