The Doddridge County (West Union, WV) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Valley (Pine Grove, WV) on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: West Virginia High School Football
Who: Valley vs Doddridge County
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
“2024 WVSSAC Football Playoffs – A”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

High School Football Showdown: Valley vs. Doddridge County

As the high school football season heads toward the final stretch, two powerhouse teams from West Virginia are ready to clash on the field: the Valley (24-25) and Doddridge County (24-25). Both teams have had impressive seasons, showcasing strong records, explosive offense, and relentless defense. Here’s a closer look at the teams, their stats, and what to expect when these two teams face off.

Valley Football (24-25)

Valley enters the matchup with a solid overall record of 7-2, showing a .778 win percentage. The team has been dominant at home with a perfect 4-0 record, although they’ve faced some challenges on the road, going 3-2. Their offensive performance has been powered by a dynamic rushing game, averaging 310.7 yards per game. Quarterback Gavin Derby has been instrumental in the success, contributing significantly in both rushing (202.9 yards per game) and passing (90.0 yards per game). Derby’s playmaking ability has resulted in a total of 292.9 yards per game, leading the offense. On the defensive side, Valley has been consistent, averaging 31.6 tackles per game. Their defensive line has been able to control the game, with the team averaging 0.2 sacks per game.

In terms of scoring, Valley has averaged 33.7 points per game, with a high of 14.0 points in the first quarter and a solid second-quarter performance of 12.1 points. However, their offense tends to slow down as the game progresses, scoring just 6.4 and 5.7 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Despite this, they are still able to maintain a strong overall offensive presence.

Doddridge County Football (24-25)

Doddridge County has been even more dominant, with an 8-2 overall record and an impressive .800 win percentage. The Bulldogs are coming off a strong region campaign, boasting a 6-2 region record and a perfect 5-0 mark on the road. They’ve been tough to beat, especially in non-league matchups, with a 6-1 record. On offense, Doddridge County has relied on its balanced attack, with 189.4 rushing yards per game and 164.9 passing yards per game. Quarterback Brysen Dixon has been a standout, contributing to a total of 162.9 yards per game and helping the team average 29.5 points per game.

In comparison to Valley, Doddridge County has been especially potent in the second quarter, where they average 16.1 points. However, their offensive production dips in the fourth quarter, where they fail to score. Their strong defensive performance, averaging 79.3 tackles per game, allows them to stay competitive throughout the game. Their ability to pressure the quarterback is also noteworthy, as they average 1.6 sacks per game.

Key Matchup: Rushing Game vs. Defensive Strength

One of the most exciting aspects of this matchup is the clash between Valley’s powerful rushing attack and Doddridge County’s stout defense. Valley’s rushing offense, led by Gavin Derby, has been explosive, averaging 310.7 yards per game. Doddridge County will need to rely on its solid defense to contain Derby and shut down the Valley ground game. Meanwhile, Doddridge County’s offense, led by Brysen Dixon, will look to exploit Valley’s defensive weaknesses, particularly in the passing game, where they average 164.9 yards per game.

The Breakdown:

• Scoring: Valley averages 33.7 points per game, while Doddridge County averages 29.5 points per game. Valley has a stronger offensive output, particularly in the first half.
• Rushing: Valley excels with 310.7 rushing yards per game compared to Doddridge County’s 189.4 yards per game.
• Defense: Doddridge County has a stronger defensive presence, averaging 79.3 tackles per game, while Valley averages 31.6 tackles per game.

Conclusion

With both teams boasting strong records and standout players, this matchup promises to be a thrilling one. Valley will look to dominate on the ground and maintain a high-scoring pace, while Doddridge County will rely on its balanced offense and tough defense to limit Valley’s scoring and control the clock. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle when these two teams meet on the gridiron.