FAIRMONT —
The East-West game is the the last football game of the regular season for East Fairmont and Fairmont Senior.
Both teams circle the date, as the city showdown takes on more than just another football game.
The historic clash between the rival Bees and Polar Bears was played for the 92nd time Friday night at East-West Stadium, and another chapter was added to the legendary rivalry.
Neither team was going to make the playoffs this year, the first in Class AA for both, but this annual meeting transcends records.
In front of a large crowd of supporters for both schools, Fairmont Senior held off the Bees, garnering a 27-21 victory.
The win gives West a five-game win streak in the series and it’s the 57th win overall in a rivalry that dates back to 1921.
“It’s a great way to finish the year,” Fairmont Senior coach Jared Mileto said. “This is great for our seniors and our program. This cross-town rivalry is something they will remember forever and talk about it.”
The Bees came out fired up after West got the opening kick.
The Polar Bear offense went three-and-out and the Bees began to drive down the field, all on rushing plays.
But in typical East fashion, the Bees couldn’t convert in the red zone, turning the ball over on downs at the FSHS 18.
Again, East forced a Polar Bear punt, and then the wheels fell off.
On third-and-four Ryder Skarzinski picked off a Bee pass at his own 43.
On the next play he burst for 50 yards. Two plays later Noah Harmon took it in for a 5-yard score and a 6-0 Polar Bear lead.
The Bee offense ground to a halt, aided by bad snaps and the FSHS defense swarming the quarterback-depleted East Fairmont offense.
