10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Magnolia hopes to take momentum into 2019 season

NEW MARTINS​VILLE, W.Va. — If momentum can carry through an offseason, that is potentially good news for the Blue Eagles of Magnolia. MHS closed the 2018 regular season by handing Wheeling Central Catholic their only loss of the year. Then the Eagles won at Pendleton County in the opening round of the playoffs before falling to Central in the quarterfinal round.

“Central came in here undefeated at 9-0 and I always say that senior night is a special night anyways,” said Magnolia head coach Dave Chapman. “When you get the chance to play an undefeated, number one ranked team in the state, what do you want to be remembered for? We went out and played some good football that night.”

“Last year we were on fire the last couple weeks of the season and we need to carry that into this season,” said Magnolia senior running back James Stillwagoner.

Three all-state players have moved on, including last year’s senior quarterback Pat Mirandy. The leading candidate to replace him, at least early on in preseason camp, is is junior Caden Cisar.

“He has shown some more assertiveness,” Chapman said. “There’s a lot more leadership we need in that quarterback. I don’t care what level you are playing at — high school, college or pro, that quarterback is key.”

Despite the loss of several top position players, Chapman feels good about his top two running backs in junior Jason Beisel and senior James Stillwagoner.

“Having that two-headed monster in the backfield, we’ll put some stuff in where they are going to be on the field at the same time. One can spell the other,” Chapman said.

Stillwagoner and Mike Hamrick are the only two seniors on the Magnolia roster. Hamrick was a first team all-state selection last fall.

“Everyone of them (young players) that has stepped up, has stepped up well,” Hamrick said. “They are learning what they need to learn and they are learning quick.”

Magnolia’s preseason is extended as their bye week comes in the opening week of the season. Chapman says with a younger roster, the extra week can be time well spent.

“If there was ever a year we were going to be open week one, I am glad it is this year,” Chapman said. “The kids are going to be able to get more reps. There’s jobs to be competed for and we feel like the extra week is going to help us.”





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