Greenbrier West back for more in Class A after 2013 Super Six appearance

By Wes McKinney

CHARMCO, W.Va. — Coming off a banner season, Greenbrier West reached the state championship game for the first time since 1991 when it was in Class AA.

Quarterback Malik Boatwright guided the Cavaliers to a first-round win over Notre Dame, an upset win over No. 2-seeded St. Marys and a semifinal win over Magnolia before falling in the title game to Madonna, 24-14.

“It was a great year, the kids were great and we had really good chemistry,” Greenbrier West coach Lewis McClung said.

Gone from that team is Boatwright, a first-team all-state pick at the defensive back spot, second-team all-state defensive lineman Cory Cox and special mention all-state selections Logan Brown and Mikey Goddard.

“Malik accounted for 60 to 65 percent of our offense last year,” McClung said “That’s a big chunk that we will be losing from an offensive standpoint.”

McClung hopes a crop of rising athletes can account for the lost production that Boatwright leaves behind.

“Dustin Yoakum will be the leading candidate to replace Malik at quarterback,” he said. “Jordan Grimmitt and Jordan Tincher both alternated at halfback. With a year’s experience, they should be able to help carry the load. Some guys that played on the JV team—Derek Coryell and Bradden Isaacs—could see some playing time at tailback,” he continued.

“It’s a little early right now and we’re not real sure how everything is going to play out. Our cupboard is not completely bare.”

Greenbrier West will look to continue its recent string of success, having won at least 10 games in three of the last four years. Additionally, the senior class owns a record 31-6. However, the Cavaliers will have to navigate through a tough schedule, including rematches with Magnolia and St. Marys. Also on the schedule are showdowns with Class AA powerhouse Bluefield and playoff contenders Nicholas County and Summers County.

The Cavaliers will play their first five games in Charmco before hitting the road for the final five games of the season.

“There are positives and negatives to the situation. You’re playing at home when the weather is really good and hopefully you get nice home crowds,” McClung said. “The downside is you go five in a row on the road later in the year. Another bad thing is the next year, you open up with five on the road. I would much rather open up five at home.”

After last year’s trip to the state title game, Greenbrier West solidified itself among the top programs currently on the Class A level.

“Anytime you have success, the bar gets raised year after year,” he said. “We talked about it a little bit last year that we wanted to broaden our scope and play on the state level. We wanted to be a program that competed for the state championship every year. Last year was the team that got us there.

“It’s hard to stay there. Anyone can be a flash in the pan and have a good class come through and be there for one or two years,” McClung continued.

“Our goal is to be there consistently year in, year out. I think it’s a lot harder (to stay on top) than it is just getting (to the top.) I think the senior class has a tall task ahead of them, but they are capable. I like our group of kids that are coming back. We have some good young talent that can step in and be successful. Now, how quickly they gain the necessary experience they need will be key to what kind of year we have.”

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