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SPORTS
Putnam County hosts marquee matchup
HUNTINGTON -- There's no reason to wait for prime time high school football matchups, as Hurricane and Winfield collide in a Putnam County showdown Friday night.
Winfield has moved up to join Hurricane in Class AAA. What better way for the Generals to prove they belong than by taking down the Redskins?
But, beating Hurricane is a tall task with all of its talent.
Senior speed demon Terrell Martin leads the way for the Hurricane offense. Last week at the Mountain State Athletic Conference Grid-O-Rama, Martin compiled more than 190 yards and scored three touchdowns on just three touches against Cabell Midland.
Martin is a threat to take it to the house every time. But, even when the opposition knows the ball is going to Martin they still haven't been able to stop him.
"Speed kills and we expect big plays from Martin and our offensive line," Hurricane coach Willis May said. "I expect Winfield to play us tough and I think it will be a very physical football game."
Hurricane has five linemen up front clearing the way for its speedster. Returning starters are Tyler King, Andy Fields, Tank Caldwell, Zack Burton and Seth Cleek.
The running game doesn't just stop with Martin. Senior fullback Kyle Cooper will give the Redskins depth and talent with a hard-nosed approach. Junior quarterback Luke Briggs also gives the Redskins a potent passing game. At 6-foot-3, he has good vision to see the defense.
Winfield will try to keep up with Hurricane's speed and big blockers with some weapons of its own.
Senior quarterback Taylor Farley runs a high-octane offense for the Generals. Winfield also has a cast of play-makers that includes Christian Power, Alex Campbell and Josh Clark.
Winfield has a defense led by linebackers Campbell, Jeremy Thompson and J.R. Cochran.
Press box fire prompts move
WINFIELD, W.Va. -- The football press box at Winfield High School's stadium was damaged in a fire Tuesday night, forcing the Generals to move their Friday night game to Hurricane.
The press box sustained significant damage, Winfield head coach Willie Wilson said.
"I didn't sleep all night," Wilson said. "I think the students are just as disappointed as the players and coaches. Having the game at home for us was big and now it's not going to happen."
Winfield athletic director Will Isaacs noticed a breaker box smoking in the press box after a girls soccer game, Wilson said.
Fire department personnel turned off the electricity and extinguished the fire, he said.
Wilson also said Hurricane agreed to moving the game and will split the gate with Winfield.
-- The Herald-Dispatch
