Area football teams begin seasons tonight
ELKINS — A high school football season full of uncertainty gets underway today for area squads.
Buckhannon-Upshur, Philip Barbour and Tygarts Valley will all begin the campaign at home.
The Bucs will entertain Ripley at 7:30 p.m. at Freal “Red’ Crites Memorial Stadium. B-U is looking to get back to its winning ways after going 1-9 in 2019.
“It’s a whole new season and we’re not dwelling on the past,” Bucs coach Duane Stoeckle said. “The kids have worked hard with the (COVID-19) protocols and are excited to get on the field.”
The Vikings handed B-U a 38-7 setback in last year’s meeting in finishing with a 4-6 mark.
In Philippi, Philip Barbour is out to halt a 13-game losing skid when Clay County visits George Byrer Field at BC Bank Park for a 7 p.m. matchup.
This will be the first meeting between the two double-A schools on the football field.
In Mill Creek, Tygarts Valley begins its quest for a second straight Class A playoff berth as Tucker County ventures to Bulldog Field.
The Bulldogs went 7-4 last season and return a majority of their squad.
The Mountain Lions, meanwhile, look to regroup after going 0-10 in 2019 but will field a young squad with just two seniors on the roster.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. in the battle of Class A foes.