KINGWOOD, W.Va. — A 5-2 start in 2014 gave the Preston Knights an opportunity to end a playoff-drought that goes back to 2008.
Then the Knights fell to University 29-25 as part of three season-ending losses, finishing at 5-5 and again out of the Class AAA postseason.
“We played University to a nail-biter,” said Preston coach Jonathan Tennant. “We lost our last three games and that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. We have to somehow get over that hump if we want to get into the playoffs.”
Expectations will be to do just that this season as the Knights return several key pieces, including starting senior quarterback Scott Stone and receiver Dylan Smith.
“We’re excited about this season,” Tennant said. “We have four offensive linemen back from last year, a four-year starting quarterback coming back and our No. 1 receiver coming back. Offensively, we’re in pretty good shape right now, we just need to fill a few holes. Defensively is where we need to have a lot of improvement and have some young kids step up.”
The Knights also must replace all-state running back Josiah Nuse, who collected 1,729 yards and 21 touchdowns. Junior Brady Baker is expected to get a majority of carries stepping in.
Stone, meanwhile, brings plenty of experience to the table for the Knights at quarterback.
“He is very intelligent and has a very high football IQ,” Tennant said. “He basically runs the offense.”
Preston will open up the season with a road trip to Hampshire and then have four straight home games. The Knights again will close out the season with those same three pivotal games against University, Buckhannon-Upshur and Bridgeport.
“Those early home games will be good for our young kids who are going to playing,” Tennant said. “We always want to compete for the playoffs. We want to compete for a conference championship and if we do that, the playoffs will take care of themselves. Right now we’re concerned with competing and having some young guys step up and grow up.”
| PRESTON 2015 football schedule |
||||||
| Aug. 28 |
7 p.m. | at HAMPSHIRE | – | |||
| Sept. 4 |
7:30 p.m. | LEWIS COUNTY | – | |||
| Sept. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | FAIRMONT SENIOR | – | |||
| Sept. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | ELKINS | – | |||
| Sept. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | NORTH MARION | – | |||
| Oct. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | at HEDGESVILLE | – | |||
| Oct. 9 | OPEN | – | ||||
| Oct. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | at EAST FAIRMONT | – | |||
| Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | UNIVERSITY | – | |||
| Oct. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | at BUCKHANNON-UPSHUR | – | |||
| Nov. 6 | 7:30 p.m. |
at BRIDGEPORT | – | |||
| wins: 0 lost: 0 ties: 0 | ||||||
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