10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

On paper, Martinsburg should be even better as practices begin

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — High school football preseason practices are officially underway around the state Monday as Martinsburg, Mingo Central and St. Marys enter the year as defending state champions.

Martinsburg won its fifth Class AAA title in seven seasons last year, going a perfect 14-0 and outscoring in-state opponents 596-51.

With 11 games against those West Virginia opponents, that’s an average winning score of 54-5 for the Bulldogs.

“It was a great year for us and it will be hard to top what we did,” said Martinsburg coach Dave Walker. “But our guys have high expectations for themselves and we’re excited about getting the season started this year. Our biggest thing is to make sure we’re not looking behind, we’re looking forward and we stay humble.”

Quarterback Tyson Bagent returns after accounting for 2,535 offensive yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior, finishing as runner-up in the MetroNews High School Football Player of the Year voting.

“The thing with Tyson (Bagent) is that he’s young for his (recruiting) group,” Walker said. “But he’s probably grown four inches since last year and is around 6-foot-4, 200 pounds right now.

Tyson Bagent has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the Mountain State.

“His work ethic and character is second to none,” he continued. “He’s a real diamond in the rough. He’s a great player and some college is going to get a heck of a player in him.”

Leading receiver Isaac Brown transferred to Millbrook High School in Virginia, but the Bulldogs still return three of their top receivers in Michael Boaitey, Chelo Teneval and Shy Crawford.

“We’re really excited about our receivers,” Walker said. “Boaitey had a big state championship game for us last year (four catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns) and we have three of our four starters back. We have some young kids, sophomores Teddy Marshall and Jarod Bowie, who are just fantastic and have big play potential.”

The Bulldogs also return their top two rushers in senior Mikey Jackson (1,458 yards and 20 touchdowns) and junior Dewayne Grantham (767 yards and 13 touchdowns), along with a majority of the offensive line.

“We feel really good about our running game with having those two back,” Walker said. “And then Tyson (Bagent) is our trigger guy. He’s really worked hard and looks really good. And we have a bunch of guys back up front offensively.”

Mikey Jackson is Martinsburg’s leading rusher and a key part defensively for the Bulldogs as well.

And then there’s the defensive returning players. Most notably, the Bulldogs return defensive end Tavis Lee who as named the state’s best defensive player with the Huff Award and tabbed to the second team all-USA defense nationally by USA Today.

Lee’s numbers speak for themselves as he finished his junior season with 109 total tackles 11 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss.

Overall, the Bulldogs return all five of their leading tacklers and eight of their top 10 in Lee, Grantham, Jalen Hesen, Grant Harman, Trey Henry, Crawford, Matt Vanduzer and RJ Barrett.

“On paper, we should be really good,” Walker said. “We just have to go out and make sure they put all of the work in that they need to. And so far they have.”

Outside hype and high internal expectations are nothing new for Martinsburg, especially over the last decade. With a plethora of young talent returning, the Bulldogs a year ago were tabbed as preseason No. 1 in the MetroNews Power Rankings and they never moved from that top spot.

Still, it’s Walker’s job to keep his players focused — something he has been proven to be exceptionally good at over the years.

“We try to keep them level headed, but sometimes it’s tough,” he said. “You can’t get caught up in all of the hype and all of the stuff that’s written about you. You have to go out and put in the work, there’s no way around that.

“You will be your own worst enemy if you buy into the hype,” Walker continued. “The only team that’s capable of beating you, is you – so you have to prepare and make sure you take care of business.”

MARTINSBURG
2017 Football Schedule

1 08/25/17 7:00PM A – LOUDOUN VALLEY,VA H.S.    
2 09/01/17 7:00PM H – EASTERN, DC H.S.   
3 09/08/17 7:00PM H – LIBERTY CHRISTIAN, VA HS   
4 09/15/17 7:00PM H – SPRING MILLS HIGH SCHOOL   
5 09/22/17 7:00PM H – MORGANTOWN   
6 09/29/17 7:00PM H – WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL   
7 10/06/17 7:00PM A – SHERANDO, VA H.S.   
8 10/13/17 7:00PM A – HEDGESVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL   
9 10/20/17 7:00PM H – JEFFERSON   
10 10/27/17 7:00PM A – MUSSELMAN   
11 11/03/17 OPEN   
 wins: 0   lost: 0   ties: 0




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