Thomas returns to anchor veteran Mohigans

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Last season Morgantown was dealt two devastating blows within a matter of weeks.

In the ninth game of the regular season against crosstown rival University, the Mohigans watched first-team all-state running back Chazzy Thomas limp off the field with a broken ankle.

Four weeks later, Morgantown fumbled away a chance to play for its first state championship since 2005, losing to Cabell Midland in the state semifinals.

The Mohigans can’t undo the result of the postseason defeat, but at least Thomas returns to the field this fall.

“Chazzy is back and looks great,” Morgantown High coach John Bowers said on the first day of August practice. “He hasn’t lost a step—in fact he’s gained a step or two. If I were betting, that is one cat I wouldn’t bet against. He’s a diligent worker. He’s destined for greatest.”

Finding holes shouldn’t be a problem for Thomas as the Mohigans are spearheaded upfront by a pair of WVU commits, tight end Stone Wolfley and tackle Amanii Brown .

“We have a high percentage our offensive line back,” Bowers said. “We think that will be the strength of this team, offensive and defensive line. We’re deep and physical. We have kids that can play multiple positions on the line.”

Among the holes the Mohigans will need to fill is the void left by all-state honorable mention quarterback Mark Johnson.

“Ethan Goldcamp is the frontrunner,” Bowers said. “He did a great job of running our junior varsity program last year. He’s mechanically sound and very intelligent. He hasn’t been in the wars yet. We obviously have Will Rockis, who will run out of the Wildcat formation, and Chazzy will also run out of the Wildcat.”

Much like the offensive side of the ball, Morgantown will rely on a powerful defensive line to control the line of scrimmage. Brown and Wolfley will be the centerpieces, along with Andre Collins and D.J. Summers.

“We’re going to be very good at the line of scrimmage,” Bowers said. “We need some kids to step up at linebacker. We need some development. We’re looking for some secondary guys to step up as well. We think we have the pieces, but we just have to put them together in the right spots.”

Morgantown’s opening game is against Bowers’ alma mater, Brooke, while the Mohigans later have a difficult road trip to Martinsburg at the end of September.

“We haven’t even put pads on yet,” Bowers said. “I’m just looking for guys that get in a stance and a few guys that can run and catch. I think we have a few guys that can run it and that will work for now.”

MORGANTOWN
2013 Football Schedule

Aug. 30    7:30PM   BROOKE   
Sept. 6     7:30PM    CALVIN COOLIDGE, DC   
  Sept. 13   7:30PM   @PARKERSBURG SOUTH   
  Sept. 20   7:30PM   MCKINLEY TECH, DC   
Sept. 27   7:30PM
@MARTINSBURG   
Oct. 4       7:30PM   DUBOIS AREA HIGH, PA   
Oct. 11     7:30PM   WHEELING PARK   
Oct. 18     7:30PM   MUSSELMAN   
Oct. 25     7:30PM   @JOHN MARSHALL   
Nov. 1       7:30PM
@UNIVERSITY   

 

—Wes McKinney





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