🏈 Quarterfinal Clash: Independence Patriots Prepare for Undefeated Doddridge County Bulldogs

Coal City, WV – The air in Coal City is buzzing with anticipation as the Independence Patriots (10-1) prepare to host a monumental Class AA quarterfinal playoff game against the undefeated Doddridge County Bulldogs (11-0) this Friday, November 21st, at George Covey Field. This high-stakes matchup pits the explosive offense of the Patriots against the stingy, ball-hawking defense and powerful ground game of the Bulldogs.

The #4-seed Patriots earned their place in the quarterfinals with a convincing 42-17 victory over Lincoln in the first round. Independence has relied heavily on the arm of quarterback Brock Green, who recently set a new single-season passing record for the school, throwing for just under 2,500 yards. His connection with receivers like Christian Linksweiler and K.J. Viars has been a key factor in the team’s success. 

Meanwhile, the #5-seed Doddridge County Bulldogs steamrolled their first-round opponent, Logan, with a dominant 52-7 performance. The Bulldogs' defense was particularly impressive, intercepting five passes and capitalizing on the turnovers. Offensively, Doddridge County boasts a balanced attack, averaging over 40 points per game in the regular season. Their formidable rushing attack is spearheaded by sophomore Lyric Blake, who has eclipsed 1,100 yards, supported by a deep backfield and a highly efficient senior quarterback, Brysen Dixon. 

Patriots Head Coach John H. Lilly gave high praise to the visiting Bulldogs: "I think one of the best compliments I can give them is they just play hard. They fly to the ball and play with extreme effort. They are impressive."

What to Watch For

The game will likely come down to which team can establish control early:

• Patriots' Air Attack vs. Bulldogs' Secondary: Can Green and his receivers solve the puzzle of a Bulldogs defense that picked off five passes in their last outing? The Patriots will need to protect the ball and keep their high-powered offense on the field.

• Controlling the Line of Scrimmage: Doddridge County’s success is built on their rushing game and strong defense. Independence must find a way to slow down Lyric Blake and force the Bulldogs into passing situations to disrupt their rhythm.

• The Crowd Factor: Playing at home at George Covey Field, the Patriots will benefit from the energy of the Coal City faithful as they fight for a spot in the state semifinals.

This Class AA quarterfinal is shaping up to be an instant classic—a true test of wills between two of West Virginia's top high school football programs. The kickoff is set for 7:00 PM on Friday.