Martinsburg proved the value of all three phases of football in its major victory Friday night over Highland Springs, Virginia, in a matchup of two of the respective state’s top programs.

The Bulldogs made plays on defense, special teams and offense during their 26-25 victory on the road over a team that won four straight Class 5A state titles in the Old Dominion and fell in overtime of the final last spring.

It is arguably the biggest win in Britt Sherman’s second season as head coach.

“We scheduled this game last spring 2020, and people told me we were crazy, that we weren’t on that level yet, and I just said we would not back down from any public school with around the same enrollment,” Sherman said. “I think we helped put West Virginia football in a brighter light going down to Richmond and winning at the premier program in central Virginia.”

In moving to 4-0, the Bulldogs knocked down a pair of passes in the end on two separate possessions by the Springers, including the final play of the game; kicker Brett Terwilliger made his first two field goals of the season, including one right before halftime, and Martinsburg recovered a fumble on an onside kick; and Murphy Clement accounted for two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown.

Martinsburg’s defensive plays late in the fourth quarter were significant.

The Springers threw to the end zone on fourth down with some four minutes remaining, but the pass got knocked away. Then, after Martinsburg had to punt when a 75-yard touchdown run by Braxton Todd was called back on a penalty, the Bulldogs had to hold on and knock away a pass to the end zone on the final play of the game.

“We talked about being the best team,” Sherman said. “All phases would have to win.

“Brent Terwilliger made some big kicks, and our defense played iron man. A lot of those kids go both ways and were playing from midfield most of the game because we were committed to onside kicking.”

Offensively, Clement ran for touchdowns of 51 and 54 yards and hooked up with his brother, Hudson, on a 79-yard touchdown.

Murphy Clement ran 19 times for 188 yards.

“Murphy Clement is already a great football players as a sophomore,” Sherman said. “He’d probably play some corner for us as an eighth-grader if he’d been allowed. His game speed is at an elite level. He ran away from those guys on one of the fastest teams we’ve ever played. He will only progress the next few weeks and years.”

Todd, who was injured on his long run, had 66 yards rushing and made a key run for a first down on third down prior to his negated touchdown, helping the Bulldogs dwindle the clock.

The Bulldogs go to Hedgesville this week.

The Eagles are smarting after dropping a 62-20 loss on the road to Morgantown. The two teams were 7-7 before the Mohigans rolled and Hedgesville suffered six turnovers.

A couple Eastern Panhandle teams are off this week.

Musselman, which is still pretty banged up physically, gets a break and a chance to heal after Sherando, Virginia, was able to make a late goal-line stand in its 49-43 victory. The Warriors won their first game in four, while Musselman fell to 1-3.

The Applemen will travel to Morgantown on Oct. 1.

Spring Mills also is off after dropping a 34-7 loss to Jefferson. The Cardinals managed a 71-yard touchdown pass in the first series and then struggled to make anything happen offensively the rest of the game.

The Cardinals will host Hedgesville on Oct. 1.

Jefferson, riding four touchdowns by Evan Tewell, three rushing and one receiving, heads to North Hagerstown on Friday.

Berkeley Springs dropped to 1-3 as Frankfort posted a 67-26 victory. The Indians entertain Tucker County on Friday.