Bluefield tries to keep title-game streak alive

Bluefield tries to keep title-game streak alive

Bluefield seeks its fourth straight trip to the Class AA championship game today when it travels to unbeaten James Monroe for a playoff semifinal. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. The winner takes on the Weir-Wayne survivor in the state finals on Dec. 2 at Wheeling Island Stadium. The 11th-seeded Beavers (7-4) have relied on a strong defense so far in the postseason, knocking off Liberty Harrison 24-8 and Grafton 35-0. Liberty managed just 49 net yards against Bluefield and Grafton 72. - advertisement - The Beavers’ balanced offense is directed by sophomore Eric McClanahan, who can hand off to one of six running backs — Allen Carter, Shawn Brooks, Devin Clements, Travis Steptoe, Jon Payne or J.T. Powell. Second-seeded James Monroe (12-0) relies on the running of tailback Andrew Robertson (1,326 yards, 19 touchdowns) and quarterback Jason Jackson (1,189 yards, 18 TDs). Jackson has also thrown for 380 yards and five TDs. The two teams met on Oct. 28 in Bluefield, with the Mavericks booting a field goal early in the fourth quarter to break a tie and claim a 17-14 victory. Class A The only other playoff semifinal today finds defending Class A champion Wheeling Central (8-4) traveling to Elkins to take on No. 6 Tygarts Valley (10-2). The Maroon Knights have eliminated No. 2 Greenbrier West 41-26 and No. 7 Parkersburg Catholic 21-6. The Bulldogs, who had never won a postseason game before this year, knocked off No. 11 Calhoun County 35-28 and No. 3 Buffalo 21-20, handing the Bison its first loss.