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Keyser loaded again in 2013

KEYSER, W.Va. — In 2012, the Keyser football program reached its first state title game since 1969, finishing the year with a 12-2 record and runner-up finish to Class AA champion Wayne.

This season, expectations are about as high as they can get as a veteran group returns for head coach Sean Biser, including key pieces offensively and essentially an entire defense.

“It’s just one of those things you have to take in stride,” said Biser, “In the championship game, we got our butts handed to us (35-0), so it was back to the drawing board. We talked about that to the kids earlier this summer about who we were and that we still have a long way to go.”

Senior quarterback Cody Eversole enters his third season as the Golden Tornado starter, bringing key experience leading and managing the offense.

“He does a really good job commanding our offense, and directing everyone. We’re a no-huddle team and he does a real good job at running the no-huddle,” said Biser.

Joining Eversole on the offensive side of the football are running back Blake Ravenscroft and fullback Danny Fife — both return for their senior seasons following 1,000-yard campaigns in 2012.

Of course, a big credit to that running game success goes to the guys upfront, along the offensive line. 2012 first team all-state selection Drew Roy is slated to start at guard again, while senior Philip Jordan and junior Ryan Liller are also returning starters in the trenches.

Defensively, the entire Keyser unit returns except for Austin Ravenscroft, who started at outside linebacker for the Golden Torando last season.

With so much talent back, Keyser will no doubt be tabbed as a favorite to get back to Wheeling Island in Class AA — the only concern for Biser is potential for his players to become complacent.

“We’re much further ahead this year than we were last year, so that is a luxury,” said Biser. “You just hope they don’t take things for granted because they’ve had success. You want them to stay hungry, and have that fire to keep improving every week like they did last year.”

Keyser beat Bridgeport 42-14 in the semifinals of the playoffs in 2012.

Keyser opens up the year with a difficult road game against Wheeling Park, but a lot of eyes will be on the newly developed Class AA rivalry with Bridgeport. The Golden Tornado defeated the former Class AAA contenders twice in 2012, with a rematch coming in October between the two teams.

“It is exciting for a team of that caliber to consider us a rival and we were fortunate enough to play them twice last year and fortunate enough to win both. But, last year was last year so it means absolutely nothing. They’re definitely keeping me up at night, that’s for sure,” said Biser.

KEYSER
2013 Football Schedule

08/30/13 07:00PM  A  WHEELING PARK   
09/06/13 07:00PM  H  BERKELEY SPRINGS   
09/13/13 07:00PM  A  FORT HILL, MD H.S.   
09/20/13 07:00PM  A  NORTHERN GARRETT, MD H.S.   
09/27/13 07:00PM  H  ALLEGANY, MD H.S.   
10/04/13 07:00PM  A  HAMPSHIRE   
10/11/13 07:30PM  A  BRIDGEPORT   
10/18/13 07:00PM  A  JEFFERSON   
10/25/13 07:00PM  H  OPEN DATE   
10  11/01/13 07:00PM  H  FRANKFORT   
11  11/08/13 07:00PM  H  MOUNTAIN RIDGE, MD H.S.   

 

– Greg Madia





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