MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — High school football practices are underway throughout the state with the start of the 2013 season just a few weeks away. Below is a look at some of the storylines to watch:
CLASS AAA
1. Can Martinsburg pull off the four-peat? No Class AAA team in West Virginia has accomplished such a feat—ever. The Bulldogs have a lot of weapons to replace from 2012, but that hasn’t slowed them down before. Malique Watkins is expected to take over quarterback duties, moving over from receiver and replacing the graduated Cookie Clinton. Martinsburg has established itself as the top dog in the state since 2010, and until someone can knock off the Bulldogs, they should stay as the favorites.
2. How good will Capital be? The Cougars head into 2013 with soaring expectations behind sophomore quarterback Tyrhee Pratt, who turned a lot of heads last year by making his high school debut as a freshman. Pratt finished 2012 with more than 1,400 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. The Cougars put together impressive late-season wins over George Washington, Woodrow Wilson and Huntington before eventually falling to Musselman in the postseason. A deep run into the playoffs this year is anticipated—anything less will likely be a disappointment for Jon Carpenter’s club.
3. Can Morgantown get back to the top? Morgantown won four state championships from 2000 to 2005, but has failed to make it back to Wheeling Island since. The Mohigans have a lot of talent coming back in 2013, including running back Chazzy Thomas, who compiled more than 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground last year before breaking his ankle late in the regular season. Lineman Amanii Brown (2014) and tight end Stone Wolfley (2015) are also already committed to play at WVU. In 2012, the Mohigans ultimately fell to Cabell Midland in the semifinals—a round that has been their stopping point for three straight seasons after semifinal losses in 2010 and 2011 against Martinsburg.
4. What team can crash the party at the top in 2013? Last year, it was Cabell Midland breaking through to make its first state championship game following an undefeated regular season. Do the Knights make another run in 2013? Cabell Midland must replace backs David Gaydosz and Lowell Farley, but will still have a plethora of options in the backfield in 2012. Huntington, Wheeling Park, University and Spring Valley all figure to factor in for a high playoff seed as well. George Washington and South Charleston will be interesting teams to watch out of the Kanawha Valley – the Patriots have a lot to replace from 2012, while South Charleston is in year one under new head coach Donnie Mays. Pt. Pleasant also could end up with a high seed as the Big Blacks head into year number two back in Class AAA.
5. Spring Mills makes its debut. Class AAA will have a new team factoring into the mix in the eastern panhandle as Spring Mills will be in year one, led by coach Derek Munson. The Cardinals have fantastic new facilities, but will have to go through a transition process with a roster full of kids that previously attended either Martinsburg or Hedgesville. Spring Mills anticipates 100 players in preseason practices for grades nine through 11, though the roster will be without a senior class in 2013.
CLASS AA
1. Wayne goes for three straight. The Pioneers have had a strong grasp on the Class AA field the last two seasons, winning two championship games by a combined score of 69-7. Gone from last year’s team is all-state running back Brandon Spurlock. However, back in the fold offensively are running backs Mason Hodge and Nathan Spurlock. Wayne has beat up on its Class AA opponents the last couple of years, and it will take a strong push to knock the Pioneers from the top in 2013.
2. Can Wayne break the all-time state record for consecutive victories? Martinsburg came up short last year as the Bulldogs’ 32-game winning streak ended with a loss to Westminster, Md. Ansted holds the record in the state with 36 straight wins from 1970 to 1973. Morgantown’s run of 28 straight ended back in 2006, while Wheeling Central put together a streak of 35 straight that came to an end in 2008. Wayne’s current winning streak stands at 23 games—an undefeated regular season and state championship run would give the Pioneers the record at 37 straight.
3. Can Keyser challenge Wayne for the AA title? Last year, the definitive answer ultimately was ‘no’ as Wayne shutout the Golden Tornado in the state title game, 35-0. However, Keyser returns almost everyone from that team a season ago, including Cody Eversole at quarterback who will start for the third straight year. In the backfield, Blake Ravenscroft and fullback Danny Fife both return for their senior seasons after 1,000-yard campaigns in 2012. Keyser will be very good – but will that be good enough?
4. Will Robert C. Byrd, Bridgeport or Fairmont Senior make runs? It’s year two for all three of those teams in Class AA after dropping down from AAA. Robert C. Byrd and Bridgeport both made it to the semifinals a season ago – the Polar Bears, meanwhile, put together a disappointing 5-5 campaign. Back at the helm with Fairmont Senior, however, is former coach J.L. Abbott who led the Polar Bears to the postseason in four of his five years with the school from 2005-2009. Expect all three to be postseason factors.
5. Does Bluefield get back to Wheeling Island? From 2002 to 2009, the Beavers made it to the state championship game six times, winning three championships in that span (2004, 2007, 2009). After losing to Ravenswood in the 2010 semifinals, Bluefield missed the playoffs entirely in 2011 and then bounced back with a quarterfinal run in 2012.
CLASS A
1. Will Wheeling Central retake Class A? Wheeling Central was dealt difficult news just before the 2012 season as then-junior quarterback Parker Henry suffered a season ending injury, tearing his ACL. The Maroon Knights still put together a postseason berth behind C.J. Burch at quarterback, but Central was bounced from the playoffs in a 60-34 drubbing to East Hardy in the first round. Henry is back in 2013 and there’s no doubt the Maroon Knights are looking to reclaim their spot atop Class A – a perch that Wahama claimed in 2012.
2. Does Wahama repeat as Class A champ? The White Falcons return a wealth of talent from their 2012 state championship squad. Veteran experience along the offensive line will help pave the way up front for elusive all-state running back Kane Roush who helped lead Wahama to a perfect 14-0 record a season ago, finishing with over 1,700 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. While Wahama loses veteran quarterback Trenton Gibbs, Hunter Bradley is expected to step in for him after moving to the Wahama area in the winter – Bradley was named first team Class AA all-state in 2012 with Roane County. The White Falcons have won 31 straight regular season games since 2009 – there’s no reason to believe they won’t be able to make another run in 2013.
3. Can anyone stop Ross Comis and Madonna? While Madonna ultimately came up one-point short in the 2012 Class A state championship game, the Blue Dons return a ton of talent from that team, including all-state quarterback Ross Comis. Overall, Comis accounted for over 3,000 yards and 45 touchdowns in 2012, scoring six touchdowns alone in that title game loss to Wahama. Madonna won the Class A title in 2009 and enters this season as one of the favorites to get back to Wheeling Island.
4. What about Williamstown? After winning a state championship in 2008, Williamstown got back to the state title game in 2011 where it fell to Wheeling Central. 2012, however, wasn’t as kind to the Yellowjackets as they limped out to a 3-4 start. Three consecutive impressive wins to end the regular season, however, put Williamstown into the playoffs as the 15 seed where the Yellowjackets lost to Magnolia, 34-7. While all the eyes appear to be focused on last year’s contenders, this perennial Class A power could find itself back in contention as well.
5. What other teams could factor in? There always seems to be a team or two that gets overlooked in the preseason and finds itself near the top of the Class A standings at season’s end. Last year, Tucker County filled that role, taking the top seed into the playoffs with an undefeated 10-0 regular-season record. Could Greenbrier West be that team in 2013? The Cavaliers put together a 9-1 regular season last year, but ultimately fell in the quarterfinals. And while, Central, Madonna and Wahama all appear to be the initial favorites for Class A this year, Magnolia, St. Marys, Tucker County and Greenbrier West are a few of the other teams that could easily factor into the title race as well.