BLACKSVILLE – In Week 3, Clay-Battelle handed Bishop Donahue a loss it has not forgotten. The Bishops had several chances at the end to top the Cee-Bees but fell short, 33-28, in Moundsville.

The two teams will meet in Blacksville this time, with a whole lot more on the line in a Class A quarterfinal matchup at 1:30 on Saturday.

“If we can correct the mistakes we made from last meeting, we can put ourselves in a better position to win the game,” Bishop Donahue coach John Durdines said. “I look at it more of atoning to our past mistakes and not so much revenge.”

In that last meeting the Bishops turned it over on downs inside the red zone with less than four minutes to play, and Jesse Padlow was picked off by Colby Shriver in the final minute to seal a victory for Clay-Battelle.

After that game, the Bishops fell to Notre Dame, 30-29, and found themselves at 2-2 heading into their bye week. Since then, they have not looked back winning seven in a row, including 17-14 last week at Meadow Bridge in the first round.

“It’s hard for kids to understand the mistakes we made after we win, but with those losses the last seven weeks we had hard practices,” Durdines said. “The kids are now trusting their teammates and everyone is doing their own job and that has been the difference.”

Padlow’s leg, not his arm, was the deciding factor last week for the Bishops as he hit a 32-yard field goal to help them advance. Padlow finished the game 11 of 24 through the air with 95 yards, one touchdown and an interception on a rough surface at Meadow Bridge.

“I thought the defense played really well last week with the field being as sloppy as it was,” Durdines said. “Give Meadow Bridge credit because they got pressure on Jesse, but the defense stepped up and gave us a chance to win.”

That defense was led by senior linebacker Matt Vucelik who finished the game with 19 stops, three going for a loss, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Vucelik has more than 300 tackles in his career at Bishop Donahue. Alex Riedel had 15 tackles from his outside linebacker spot, as well.

Clay-Battelle’s defense was also on top of its game in the first round by shutting out Greenbrier West’s offense for the last three quarters to win, 14-7. Cannon Brummage stopped West receiver Jordan Grimmett 1 yard short on a fourth down to punch the ticket to the next round for the Cee-Bees.

“Going into the game we were wondering just how physical we could be against a physical bunch like Greenbrier,” Clay-Battelle coach Ryan Wilson said. “They really did a super job and took a gameplan and mastered it. It was a great effort.”

A lot has change since these teams met in September, including the health of Clay-Battelle quarterback Jarrett Hockenberry. He was sidelined the last three weeks of the regular season with an ankle injury but returned last week for the playoffs.

“Jarrett is getting his arm back every week,” Wilson said. “Last week and each week he gets close to being back to where he was before hurting his knee. With two teams that are very similar like us, you have to execute and make the throws. Whoever executes the gameplan better will ultimately win this football game.”

Low-scoring affairs for both teams last week were very unusual. The 17 points at Meadow Bridge was the lowest output the whole season by a Bishops offense that averages more than 34 a game led by Padlow, who is the leading passer in school history.

“We are going to have to limit some of Padlow’s yards and not give up any big plays,” Wilson said. “We talk about turnovers with our kids and another is no penalties. We have to limit them as little as possible and execute the gameplan.”

Last week was also the lowest total of points Clay-Battelle has put up all season long. Their offense has averaged more than 36 points per game this season. The offense averaged more than 47 points per game in the regular season with Hockenberry under center.

“Hockenberry had really good throws last week and can sling it,” Durdines said. “They don’t want him to take off as much after his injury but he can still tuck the ball and run with his ability.

“Turnovers and penalties are the key for us. At this point in the season, these teams have won a game in the playoffs and you are going to be facing good teams. Just take care of matchups and take care of turnovers.”

The winner of this game will meet the survivor of No. 1 St. Marys and No. 9 Moorefield in the Class A semifinals.