Both teams went into the Class AAA championship undefeated after dominating in the playoffs and the Bulldogs earned their third straight title over the Timberwolves with a 31-7 win at Wheeling Island Stadium. So what has been the key to the success for each program? Simple. Elite players. As such, it was no surprise the two teams dominated the Class AAA all-state lists with each placing seven players on the top two teams during their dominant 2018 runs. “It was the two best teams in the state, and unfortunately, we didn’t play our best game, but they’ve won 42 games in a row for a reason,” Spring Valley head coach Brad Dingess said. “(Martinsburg) coach (Dave) Walker does a great job with them and they’ve got great football players.” Spring Valley led the way with four players represented on the first team, including offensive lineman Doug Nester and utility player Graeson Malashevich, who served as co-captains for the offense. In addition to being the catalysts for the Timberwolves’ run, the two are also best friends. “We’ve been friends since first grade and grown up together, playing every sport together – football, basketball, baseball,” Nester said. “We’re with each other 24/7 – at each other’s houses hanging out – and for it to go this far and we’re still best friends is really great.” Nester headlines an offensive line that rivals that of past seasons with four of five members committed to FBS programs. Nester is currently an Ohio State commit while teammate Zach Williamson is currently committed to Louisville. Just down the road from Spring Valley, Huntington senior Darnell Wright is also one of the nation’s top available prospects along the offensive line, and all three hold 10 or more FBS offers. Wheeling Park’s Tristen Bittner is also committed to Marshall while Parkersburg’s Ryan Creech rounds out the team. All five are seniors. Seniors dominated the first team offense and defense with 26 of 30 selections being Class of 2019 talents. Martinsburg’s Jarod Bowie was the Bulldogs’ lone first-team representative and headlined a talented group of wide receivers that included University senior Evan Parow and Parkersburg senior Brenton Strange, who is committed to Penn State. Running backs included Cabell Midland’s Ivan Vaughn and Musselman’s Blake Hartman, the lone sophomore among the 30 first-team selections. Quarterback of the team was George Washington’s Grant Wells, who also will head to Marshall to play collegiately. Joining Malashevich as versatile offensive weapons were Hedgesville junior Malakai Brown and Musselman senior Tre Beard. The first-team kicker was Hurricane’s Timmy McCutchen. All season long, Martinsburg’s strength was its defense and the Bulldogs possessed two of the state’s best talents in defensive back Grant Harman and linebacker R.J. Barrett, who served as the defensive co-captains. Harman was joined in the defensive backfield by Capital senior Kerry Martin and Hedgesville senior Nyjere Smith. Like Harman, Martin also had the duties of leading his team at the quarterback position, meaning they were the leaders on both sides of the football. Barrett was joined at the linebacker spot by Huntington junior Brocton Blair, South Charleston senior Drew Joseph and Morgantown senior Jeston Moore. The five-man defensive front for the first-team defense included a talented group of players, led by Capital’s Kalai Clark. Joining Clark were Spring Valley’s Cody Stanley, Ripley’s Cayden Keeler, Huntington’s Bryce Damous and Jefferson’s Jevon Lang. All of the defensive linemen were seniors, as well. Utility selections included Parkersburg South senior Nick Yoho and Wheeling Park senior Devaughn McWhorter. The first-team punter was Hedgesville senior Finnegan Hall. On the Class AAA second team, the offensive captain was Hurricane junior running back Christian Hill while the defensive captain was Capital senior defensive lineman Breece Hoff. The offensive line for the second team included Huntington’s Max Howell, Cabell Midland’s Logan Osburn, Spring Valley’s Wyatt Milum, Morgantown’s Nick Malone and Ripley’s Andrew Dolin. University senior Logan Holgorsen was named the quarterback for the second unit while wide receivers were Wheeling Park senior Jack Stakem and Greenbrier East sophomore Colby Piner. Joining Hill at running back was Martinsburg sophomore Naieem Kearney and Parkersburg senior Tyler Moler. Offensive utility selections were Parkersburg senior Jake Johnson, Spring Valley senior Owen Chafin and Ripley senior R.J. Evans. The second-team kicker was Huntington’s Isaiah Carpenter. Joining Hoff on the second-team defensive line were South Charleston sophomore Zeiqui Lawton, University senior Ben Gribble and Martinsburg junior Matt Bednarski. Linebackers were Hurricane senior J.T. Cooper, Parkersburg South senior Brayden Mooney, Martinsburg senior Dewayne Grantham and Musselman senior Chris Rinehart. Defensive backs included University senior Amir Richardson, Cabell Midland senior Griffin Adkins and Martinsburg junior Teddy Marshall. Utility selections on the defensive side included Spring Valley’s Isaac Howard, Spring Valley senior Evin Hurt and Capital senior Quisean Gray. The second-team punter was Hampshire’s John Hicks, who also fit the mold of a utility player after his work as a defensive lineman.