BLACKSVILLE, W.Va. — It’s been an overall regional and statewide effort helping give some relief to those affected by the flooding from last month in the northern part of the state.
Wetzel County, specifically, was one of those areas hit hard as Hundred’s athletic facilities, including the football field, were significantly damaged — right before the start of preseason football practice.
For the last two weeks, the Hornets have been holding those preseason practices at Clay-Battelle, 25 minutes away in neighboring Monongalia County.
“It’s getting their kids away from having to think about the flood a little bit,” said Clay-Battelle coach Ryan Wilson on WAJR’s Morgantown AM. “Our boys, even, you can tell they have a soft spot for what Hundred’s players are going through.”
Members of the Blacksville community have also come in after those evening practices to feed Hundred’s players as well.
“Each day they’re getting better and better over there,” Wilson said. “I want to commend our community for all of the support they have been providing and the money they have been donating money to help their program.
“We also reached out to (University coach) John Kelley, Morgantown coach Matt Lacy and Waynesburg – I want to thank them so much for helping gather equipment for Hundred,” Wilson said. “I know some schools in Marion County did the same thing. Everybody helps in this kind of situation.”
Ironically, Clay-Battelle and Hundred are scheduled to open up the season as well on August 25. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Hundred, but will instead be played in Blacksville.
The Hornets potentially could play more of their home games this season at Clay-Battelle as well.
“We’re using our field, but it is Hundred’s home game. Everything is going to Hundred, the gate and all of that,” Wilson said. “And it looks like Hundred could be using our field for the entire season – that’s not for sure right now, but it is in discussion.”