CHARMCO – Two teams just inside the playoff bubble square off Friday night with the hope of springboarding themselves upward in the Class A WVSSAC ratings. Greenbrier West sports a 2-2 record and a #14 rating while Man High School sits at 1-3 but is managing to hold the #16 position. The winner will earn some much-needed rating points with five games left in their season.
The Cavaliers survived a scare from Pocahontas County in week four. A late touchdown drew the Warriors to within two points of tying the game, but Greenbrier West’s defense rose to the occasion and stopped Pocahontas County’s try for a two-point conversion, helping give West a narrow 16-14 victory. Colton Chrisman and Colton Dunbar each rushed for over 100 yards in the win, career firsts for both backs, and gave West a 100-yard rusher for the first time in four games dating back to last season. The 100-yard rusher drought had been West’s longest in over 30 seasons. It was the first time the Cavaliers had two backs pass the century mark in the same game since November of 2023. West is 38-2 all-time when they have two or more 100-yard rushers in the same game.
Dunbar remained efficient in the passing game, completing five passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Most importantly, the senior signal caller is protecting the football and has not thrown an interception all season. Mason Ward has been the recipient of all three scoring passes this season, and his nine-yard grab gave West their first lead last Friday. Kameron Parker, Ty Pate, and Scott McClung added receptions.
The offensive line deserves their share of accolades for their contribution to the win, leading West to 254 yards on the ground and helping generate 16 first downs. Logan Berry’s move from tackle to center has solidified the middle of the unit. Colton Caruthers, Parker Vance, Logan Burdette, and John John Akers started on the line with Cooper Judy providing relief. The bullnecks got assistance from McClung at tight end and H-back Emory Sanford.
Also, key for the Cavaliers was the fact that they won a contest in which they were tied at halftime. West had dropped the last six games that they were tied at the break dating back to the Pocahontas County game in 2014. That included the week three loss to Liberty.
Man opened their 2025 season with a home loss to bitter rival Logan. Trailing only 14-6 heading into the fourth quarter, Man kept a Logan scoring drive alive with a roughing the punter call on fourth and long. The Hillbillies then gave up a late picks-six to fall 28-6. Senior tailback Kaleb Mullins provided the only score for Man, a 20-yard scamper in the third quarter.
The Hillbillies rebounded in week two, thrashing Mt. View 42-0. Mullins was the ‘Billies workhorse with 192 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Spriggs added 87 yards and two scores while Jake Endicott added 86 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Toler added a rushing touchdown.
Week three brought an 18-12 loss at Westside. Man trailed 18-0 with a little over three minutes remaining but the Hillbillies rallied with a furious comeback attempt. Mullins and Endicott both found the endzone, but Westside made a touchdown-saving tackle with :02 remaining to stifle Man’s upset plans.
Mingo Central defeated Man last week 27-8. Miner quarterback Jamere Knuckles passed for 182 yards on 10-14 passing and two touchdowns. Man was stout defending the run game, allowing only 44 yards on 24 carries. The Hillbillies undoing was four turnovers which included a 78-yard pick six. Offensively, Man’s duo of Spriggs and Mullins ran for 77 and 74 yards, respectively. Endicott added 51 yards in the loss.
A big key to this game will be Greenbrier West’s ability to find more success in the running game and negating the three-headed running attack of the Hillbillies. If West can force Man into third and long situations, expect the Cavaliers to prosper. If Man softens the middle of the West run defense, it could be a long evening.
Greenbrier West is traveling to Man for the first time since the 1978 Class AA quarterfinals. That matchup was the first playoff appearance for former head coach Howard Hylton who was in his first season at the helm in Charmco. Timmy Booth scored two rushing touchdowns for the Cavaliers that day and Ricky Estep caught a scoring pass from Marvin Bonner. Man, however, marched down the field on a 10-play scoring drive and broke the hearts of West fans when Ralph Bowen rambled in from five yards out with 0:43 remaining in the game. The Hillbillies won 28-20.
Greenbrier West won last year’s matchup 19-12 on the strength of three rushing touchdowns by Evan Vandall. Vandall carried the ball for a then West quarterback-record 35 times. It was Greenbrier West’s first win in the series. Man leads the all-time series 3-1.
The game can be heard live on Rock 95 with the pregame beginning at 7 P.M. Alternative methods to listen are www.twovirginiasmedia.com/radio-greenbrier/rock-95-3 or the TuneIn app for smartphone listeners. Kickoff is set for 7:30. There will be no livestream of the contest.
