CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Capital’s 2014 Class AAA state championship football season was dominant. The Cougars rolled to an unbeaten year and dethroned four-time defending champion Martinsburg in the process.
The 40-point margin of victory in Capital’s 55-15 title win over South Charleston was the most in Class AAA Super Six history (1979-2014). It was the first football championship for the Cougars since 1995.
“It’s been fun,” said Capital coach Jon Carpenter. “The kids this offseason did the same thing that they did last year. There has been no let up. So, it’s been pretty fun.”
Expectations will be high again for the Cougars in 2015 as they look to defend that title.
A couple of playmakers gone from that 2014 team include receiver Jordan Kinney (he collected 140 yards receiving on six catches and four touchdowns in that title game) and running back KaShuan Haley who rushed for 1,718 yards and 27 touchdowns on 161 carries. Haley also added 12 catches for 302 yards receiving and five more touchdowns on the season.
Back for the Cougars at quarterback will be veteran senior Tyrhee Pratt who committed to WVU after last season (he could play a number of different positions with the Mountaineers). Pratt threw for 1,965 yards and 25 touchdowns for the the Class AAA champions, adding another 656 yards on the ground and 11 more scores.
Pratt finished third last season in the MetroNews Player of the Year vote, just behind Haley.
“He’s the best I’ve been around and the best I’ve seen around here for a long time,” Carpenter said. “He takes a lot of pressure off of coaches and he’s been around a long time. He knows how things are supposed to be and how things are supposed to work. We’re tickled to death to have him back. I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s done everything for us since he’s been here.”
Running back Silas Nazario returns for his junior season, adding about 15 pounds in the offseason.
“He’s a workaholic,” Carpenter said of Nazario. “He’s as good as anyone around, too. You would let him marry your daughter and play tailback for you. He’s going to be a good one and has been good ever since he’s been with us. He started for us as a ninth grader and to think that we have him for two more years is pretty neat.”
The Cougars have just nine regular season games on the schedule, opening up the year on Thursday, August 27 at home against Riverside.
“It’s the start of a new family all over again,” Carpenter said. “Each team takes on its own personality and they are fun to be around – I think we do a pretty good job of preaching to them of how unique that is. Our guys really buy in and really enjoy being there.”
2015 CAPITAL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| WEEK | TEAM | DATE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
vs. RIVERSIDE |
August 27 | |
| 2 |  |
at SOUTH CHARLESTON |
September 4 | |
| 3 |  |
vs. CABELL MIDLAND |
September 11 | |
| 4 |  |
at PARKERSBURG |
September 18 | |
| 5 |  |
vs. HURRICANE |
September 25 | |
| 6 |  |
vs. HUNTINGTON | October 2 | |
| 7 |  |
BYE WEEK |
October 9 | |
| 8 |  |
at GEORGE WASHINGTON | October 16 | |
| 9 |  |
at SPRING VALLEY |
October 23 | |
| 10 |  |
at WOODROW WILSON |
October 30 | |
| 11 | |
BYE WEEK | November 6 | |
OTHER 2015 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS