The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health last week awarded $102,000 the United Ways in West Virginia. From left: Staci Stephen, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley; Jim Fawcett, president of Highmark West Virginia; Stacy DeCicco, executive director of the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley; and Margaret O’Neal, executive director of the United Way of Central West Virginia. The three agencies each received $25,000. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — United Way groups in West Virginia last week received a combined $102,000 from the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health.

The allocations are the fourth consecutive year the Charitable Fund for Health has provided funding to the agencies, totaling $404,000.

“We are delighted to contribute to the important work of United Way organizations across the Mountain State, helping them to create positive change in the lives of families and residents,” Jim Fawcett, president of Highmark West Virginia, said. “Through this fund, we’re committed to strengthening communities in all 55 counties, and our partnership with the United Way is a key element in achieving that goal.”

The grants, ranging from $3,000 to $25,000, will support programs to address crucial needs within communities. United Way agencies located in areas with a high concentration of Highmark West Virginia members receive $25,000 each, while the remaining agencies each receive $3,000.

The United Way of Central West Virginia, United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, United Way of Upper Ohio Valley, received $25,000 each.

The United Way of Southern West Virginia, the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties, the United Way of the River Cities, the United Way of Greenbrier Valley, the Tygart Valley United Way, the United Way of Eastern Panhandle, the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, the County United Way and the United Way of Gilmer, Lewis and Upshur each received $3,000.

“This generous support from the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health allows us to continue providing vital resources and programs to individuals and families in need,” Stacy DeCicco, executive director of the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, said. “We are grateful for this ongoing partnership and the impact it has on our communities.”

Since its launch in 2021, the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health has distributed more than $6 million in grant funding to West Virginia-based nonprofits.

The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health is a restricted fund of the Highmark Foundation. The Charitable Fund for Health’s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in West Virginia.

It’s that time of the year, everyone. High school football games kicked off throughout the state of West Virginia Oct. 24-26 and there was plenty of great action taking place.

The No. 1 team in the Mountain State continues to be powerhouse Martinsburg then followed by Spring Mills followed by Bridgeport and Fairmont Senior.

Here’s the complete breakdown of West Virginia’s elite high school football teams, heading into Week 10 of the 2024 season, as we see it.

Hard to argue with this one. The Bulldogs have shut out three of the seven opponents they’ve faced this season, only yielding 56 points so far. Not much of an argument to be had here when it comes to Martinsburg at No. 1.

The other team in the City of Martinsburg is playing pretty well all season long and the biggest game of the year lived up to the hype. Spring Mills only losing 17-12 keeps them firmly at No. 2.

First team out of AAA in our rankings continues to be Bridgeport, with the Indians cruising to a 57-7 rout of Preston a couple weeks ago.

Polar Bears’ quarterback Brody Whitehair has been very efficient this season, completing 92-of-128 passes for 1,838 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Only loss this season came at the hands of No. 1 Martinsburg. Other than that, it has been pure domination by Huntington this fall.

Chance Barker has looked great under center for Princeton, completing 74-of-104 passes for 1,436 yards, 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions. The quarterback has been one of the state’s best.

The Redskins looked a lot more like their dominant selves when they rolled to a 52-0 win over Riverside last week.

The Timberwolves have bounced back from a loss to Huntington with consecutive victories over Capital and Woodrow Wilson. Next up is a tilt with South Charleston.

Wheeling Park remains in the top 10 after a 34-14 loss to Fairmont Senior a couple weeks ago. They have responded with wins against Butler and Talawanda, respectively.

We look at the losses that Jefferson has had this season and don’t want t drop these guys too far down the ranks. Latest one is a 42-12 decision to Martinsburg. The Cougars have won four in a row with the latest win being a 54-27 win over Musselman.

The Patriots have been riding the legs of running back Saiyvon Brown, who has rushed for over 1,039 yards and nine touchdowns this fall. George Washington has a tough meeting with Hurricane this week.

Hoover continued its undefeated ways by routing Elkins 56-7 last week. Can this team run the table to an undefeated season?

Connor Lambert has been a scoring machine for the White Falcons, scoring 28 touchdowns and rushing for 1,396 yards on 76 carries through eight games.

Over the first eight games, the Falcons are averaging a staggering 43.7 points per game. Impressive numbers so far this season for this talented offensive group.

We really like the Wildcats’ offense and the play of their quarterback Josh Moody, who has thrown for over 2,000 yards, 22-plus touchdowns and just five interceptions.

The Yellow Jackets dropped their first game of the season, losing 27-7 to Frankport. Since then, Williamstown has won seven straight contests.

The Flying Eagles made their debut into the rankings a couple weeks after they cruised to a 43-7 victory. Woodrow Wilson last two losses have come against the state’s best in Princeton and Spring Valley.

Among one of the top teams in Class AA, Roane County continues to make their way up the rankings after a 42-8 shellacking of Mingo Central.

The Red Devils make their debut on this list after they defeated Independence 21-20 a few weeks ago.

The Patriots only two losses on the season have come to teams on this list in Princeton and Oak Hill, respectively. Now they have Summers County coming up on Nov. 8th.

Morgantown moves up from the bottom spot after defeating a solid Parkersburg team 28-14 last week. They followed that performance up with a 45-7 win over Hedgesville.

The Patriots have dropped two in a row after a 28-14 loss to Morgantown until beating Linsly, 35-28. Last two games are doozies against Princeton and Spring Mills.

The Mountain Lions have leaned on the stellar play of running back Jared Reall, who has rushed for 1,276 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.

Isaac Martin has led the way on the ground for the season, leading the team’s rushing attack with 822 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Bulldogs’ quarterback Brysen Dixon has been sensational this season, throwing for 1,070 yards, 16 touchdowns and just one mere interception through the air.

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— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports

TUCSON, Ariz. — — West Virginia travelled across the country facing a crossroads.

Lose at Arizona, the Mountaineers would have to fight just to become bowl eligible. Win and they still have a shot at being in the mix for the Big 12 title.

No reason to be passive with so much on the line so far away from home.

Aggressive from the start, West Virginia scored three times on fourth downs — one on a fake field goal — and held off a late Arizona rally to win on Saturday night.

“We felt like this was a critical game for us and we needed to win,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. “As I told the guys: we were going to empty the tank.”

Coming off two double-digit losses to ranked opponents, West Virginia arrived in the desert missing three captains, including quarterback Garrett Greene, hurt last week against Kansas State.

Nicco Marchiol was sharp in his place, throwing for 198 yards on 18-of-22 passing. The Mountaineers (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) complemented his performance with a pounding run game, rushing for 203 yards and two touchdowns.

The key plays came on drive-extending plays.

West Virginia converted all four of its fourth-down chances, including its first three touchdowns, and was 7 for 16 on third downs to end a two-game losing streak.

“That’s the best we’ve played in a long time,” Brown said.

Arizona All-American Tetairoa McMillan bounced back from a quiet game against Colorado last week with 10 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown. He caught a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and quarterback Noah Fifita added a 3-yard TD run to pull the Wildcats within 31-26 after trailing by 18.

The Mountaineers never gave Arizona (3-5, 1-4) a chance to complete the rally, converting two key third downs to grind out the clock and send the Wildcats to their fourth straight loss.

“There were moments tonight and I thought we were going to get this done, but they made the plays on that last drive when they had to,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said.

West Virginia had no trouble moving the ball against Arizona’s defense early, particularly on the ground.

The Mountaineers opened with a field goal and scored the next drive on a fake when holder Leighton Bechdel went 14 yards around the left end for a touchdown.

West Virginia opted to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3 in the second quarter and converted when Marchiol found Hudson Clement in the back of the end zone. The Mountaineers did it again on the opening drive of the third quarter, scoring on a fourth-and-3 when CJ Donaldson Jr. burst through the left side for a 20-yard TD run that put West Virginia up 24-7.

West Virginia pushed its lead to 31-13 early in the fourth quarter when Marchiol found Traylon Ray on a 54-yard touchdown pass — this time on second down.

“We just didn’t get off the field,” Arizona safety Owen Goss said. “Coach always preaches get off the field and didn’t feel like we did that tonight.”

Arizona’s offense was hit or miss.

The Wildcats put together one scoring drive in the first half, eating up nearly eight minutes of the clock before Quali Conley scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter.

Arizona spent the rest of the time sputtering until finding a rhythm late in the third quarter, pulling within 24-13 when broken coverage left Sam Olson wide open for a 23-yard touchdown catch.

The Wildcats managed to rally late before West Virginia ground out the game.

Loop’s miss

Arizona kicker Tyler Loop had been perfect on extra points during his career, hitting 119 straight.

The streak came to an end after Olson’s touchdown when he missed wide left.

The takeaway

West Virginia used its balance to pick up a solid road win with its backup quarterback. Arizona struggled against West Virginia’s run game and its offense came to life too late, putting the Wildcats in a difficult spot to become bowl eligible in a season where they were once ranked No. 20.

Up next

West Virginia: plays at Cincinnati on Nov. 9.

Arizona: plays at UCF next Saturday.

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