CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Normally when a team is coming off a season in which it relied heavily on the school’s all-time leading rusher and he’s no longer around, there would be plenty of talk to temper expectations.
As Robert C. Byrd moves forward without Ghovan Davidson, however, the Flying Eagles aren’t lowering the bar.
In fact, those around the program will say just the opposite as RCB attempts to build off a nine-win season and appearance in a Class AA quarterfinal.
“We talk all the time about culture and expectations and you have to have both in your program if you want to be successful,” Eagles’ head coach Josh Gorrell said. “If we’re doing the right things day in and day out, then we’re going to be successful.”
Gorrell, entering his fourth straight season in his second stint as RCB head coach, guided the Eagles to a 9-3 record in 2018. The team’s only three losses came against Class AA state champion Fairmont Senior and semifinalist Bridgeport (twice). A regular season win at Keyser, in addition to a playoff victory against Shady Spring, were the top highlights.
The Eagles allowed 129 points in their three setbacks, including at least 41 in each game. In the team’s nine wins, RCB surrendered only 99 points.
“We made a commitment last year to getting back to playing defense here the way we’re capable of doing it,” Gorrell said. “We took strides. Our defensive coordinator (Austin Scott) has done a great job of getting the kids ready. They’ve bought into the system.
“I think we’re going to be even better this year. We’ve been short on linebackers the past couple years, and this year we’re not. We have talent and kids that can run at that position. Our secondary has really grown and come together because they have a couple years under their belt. We’re no longer inexperienced there.”
Replacing all-state linemen Robert Arnold and Jaden Marino, however, is no easy task.
“We’re going to miss Jaden and Robert and that’s a given,” Gorrell said. “But we have kids that have put the work in and are able to step in.”
Ultimately what may dictate how strong of a season it is for RCB is the development of junior quarterback Xavier Lopez.
Lopez, a two-year starter and honorable mention all-state choice last season, is a plenty accurate passer. Gorrell would like to see his team’s signal caller improve as a student of the game, which would add a dimension to an offense that will feature sophomore sensation Jeremiah King at tailback.
“He has to balance us out,” Gorrell said. “We’ve been run-oriented the last two years here, because we’ve had great tailbacks. We still have a great tailback. But when they start loading the box up, Xavier has to get to the point where we’re making checks and throwing. He has to get us out of seven, eight and nine-man boxes.
“That’s what I’m looking for from him and I know he’s capable. He can make all the throws and he’s as athletic a kid as we have. He’s put on about 30 pounds in the offseason and he’s put himself in position to do great things.”
King is one of the more heralded players the Eagles have had in recent memory. He earned special honorable mention all-state status as a freshman and will assume a bigger role this year with Davidson gone.
“Jeremiah could be the greatest running back to ever come through this building,” Gorrell said. “And defensively he’s probably even more important. He’s one of the smarter kids I’ve coached in the last ten years on that side of the ball. He’s a natural back there at understanding what’s coming at him.”
In addition to welcoming former Notre Dame High School head coach Sam Alvaro to its coaching staff, Justin Noble, a former all-state player and 2015 Byrd graduate who went on to play at Concord, is also new to the staff.
“I’m ecstatic with the staff I have,” Gorrell said.
The Eagles will have a good idea of where they stand by the midpoint of the season. RCB welcomes Keyser for its season opener prior to a Week 2 matchup with Elkins. After hitting the road for two weeks, the Eagles return home to face Bridgeport. They’ll also play at Fairmont Senior in Week 8.
“We have athletes and players, the key is to get them going and get us all on the same page and working,” Gorrell said. “But we have a shot.”