Published: September 05, 2008 12:41 am            

Bees face test; West battles North

FAIRMONT — There wasn’t much not to like in East Fairmont’s season-opening win over Elkins last week.

The Bees moved the ball on the ground and through the air. The defense forced four turnovers and kept the Tigers under wraps until two late scores. Other than a rash of penalties, the Bees looked to be on top of their game.

Now comes the big test.

East hosts No. 1 University tonight at East-West Stadium in a battle that will go a long way to determining the North Central Athletic Conference championship this year.

Last year the contest ended in UHS’s favor, 14-13.

The Bees had a chance to win the game, but a two-point conversion attempt went awry, sealing their fate.

This year the two teams come in with high expectations as well.

UHS dismantled winless North Marion last week, but will be facing an offense that looked near-unstoppable against Elkins.

East will have to contain speedy University back Brandon Tucker as well as veteran quarterback Mark Golden and a talented group of receivers.

But defense is where East shines the brightest.

And on offense, the Bees will put their own pressure on University.

New quarterback Nick Bonnett seems as comfortable running the ball as he is throwing, and running backs Drew Jenkins and Mason Bailey are capable of breaking off a big run.

Last season the two teams finished with identical NCAC records and made deep runs in the playoffs.

This could be a preview of things to come.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

West Fairmont’s game against Robert C. Byrd went just as well as East’s.

Now the Polar Bears get to take on Marion County rival North Marion in Rachel.

West is looking to start the season 2-0, while the Huskies are hoping the emotion of this rivalry game will be enough to help them snap their two-year-long losing streak.

The Polar Bears have found a big target for quarterback Logan Moore in Aaron Fetty, and North can expect a steady diet of Desmond Evans carrying the ball.

North is not without its own explosive running back.

Anthony DeMary racked up 100-plus yards against No. 1 University in week No. 1 and will be looking to repeat the feat against West.

This game, as a traditional rivalry, will feature plenty of emotion. The Huskies always play tough at home and will be fighting hard to get a victory.

West, on the other hand, has taken advantage of North’s down years to beat up on the Huskies. Last year’s score was 53-21, and in 2006 it was 40-13.

The Bears have plenty of tough games ahead on the schedule and a win here and a 2-0 start could build confidence that will avoid a possible late-season swoon that kept them from the playoffs last season.

E-mail Mike Bowen at mbowen@timeswv.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.