By Steve Luse

CUMBERLAND — A few years ago one football Web site had Fort Hill High School ranked as one of the top teams in the state of West Virginia.

Will they make the Sentinels No. 1 in the state after their resounding 41-14 victory over the top-ranked Class AAA West Virginia team Martinsburg on Friday night at Greenway Avenue Stadium?

The win makes Fort Hill 4-0 and solidifies the hold on the No. 1 spot in the Maryland Class 1A West Region. Martinsburg fell to 4-1.

Dominating the game on both sides of the ball, the Sentinels controlled the ball and the clock as they piled up 433 yards in total offense with 343 coming on the ground. Senior fullback Dakota Welsh rushed for 142 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns. Sam Walker contributed 114 yards rushing on only 12 attempts and also had a big 60-yard reception to help set up the first touchdown.

Quarterback Devin Lee did outstanding job directing a Fort Hill offense that didn’t have a turnover and completed all four of his passes for 91 yards, including an 11-yard scoring strike to Colton Sibley. The 6-foot-3, 171-pound senior also scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of two and six yards and had a key interception on defense.

The victory snapped a string of six losses to Martinsburg in the long series that was resumed this year after a two-year hiatus. It turned out to be a great 40th birthday present for head coach Todd Appel.

“The tie, shirts and socks are way down the list,” said Appel. “The kids deserved this victory with the way they play and it was a great birthday present.”