After starting with players to watch in Class AAA, it’s time to take a look at standouts in Class AA.
There’s no shortage of them with several high-level Division I recruits back and looking to make an even bigger impact for their respective teams in 2019.
Five players to watch in Class AA (in no order)
1 — Zach Frazier, OL/DL, Fairmont Senior
Having offered his verbal commitment to West Virginia over the summer, Frazier can squarely focus on doing his part to try to help Fairmont Senior repeat as state champions.
With the Polar Bears losing more than their fair share of standouts last season, including Kennedy Award winning quarterback Connor Neal, they will rely heavily on Frazier to be a force up front on both sides of the ball.
Frazier has been just that throughout his prep career and earned first-team all-state honors along the offensive line each of the last two seasons.
Without Neal, FSHS is still likely to throw more than most high school teams, but Frazier (6-2, 280) will be key to a successful ground game that can keep opposing defenses honest.
Although he’s been a starter each of his first three high school seasons, Frazier will likely be asked to provide more leadership with this year being his senior campaign.
Also a state champion wrestler, Frazier will need his best year yet if the Polar Bears are to reach the Super Six for a fourth straight season.
2 — Sean Martin, DE, Bluefield
Speaking of consecutive seasons reaching the Super Six, Bluefield is seeking a trip to Wheeling for a third straight season. The Beavers won the 2017 Class AA championship against Fairmont Senior, but fell in the rematch last year.
In that loss, Martin opened the eyes of anybody who had yet to see him play prior to that by finishing with 15 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack.
Martin committed to the University of North Carolina this summer and will try to leave a lasting impression in his final season at Bluefield.
A first-team all-state honoree as a junior, Martin has consistently shown improvement throughout his time with the Beavers and another stellar season should be in store.
Martin’s combination of size, speed and strength allow him to make plays off the edge defensively and he’s also a key blocker for Bluefield’s potent ground game.
3 — Isaiah Johnson, DB/WR, Bluefield
Johnson, a junior, is another high-level Division I prospect on the Beavers.
The defensive back/wide receiver is a vital component to Bluefield on both sides of the ball and showed as much last season.
In a Class AA semifinal victory over Bridgeport, Johnson returned an interception for a touchdown. A week later in the title game loss to Fairmont Senior, Johnson hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass.
In Johnson, Martin, J.J. Davis (RB/LB) and Kaulin Parris (K/P), the Beavers have a minimum of four Division I players on this year’s roster — though Johnson is the only non-senior of the group.
His role and production on both sides of the ball should increase with the likes of Arnold Martin, Juice Edwards and Chandler Cooper no longer around.
Johnson is a 4-star recruit by Rivals and already has an impressive list of offers from Power Five Conference schools.
Another strong season from Johnson will only ensure that list grows.
4 — Ethan Payne, RB, Poca
Payne’s play was a big part in the Dots’ remarkable turnaround a season ago as they improved their regular season mark from 2-8 to 9-1.
Before suffering a hip injury in Poca’s seventh game against Winfield, Payne had already eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the season.
He was forced to the sideline for the team’s last three regular season games and then played through the injury, but was held in check in the team’s first-round playoff loss to Weir.
Having rushed for 17 touchdowns as a sophomore, Payne may need to do even more for a Dots’ team that will have several new starters along the offensive line.
So long as he’s healthy, however, the 200-plus pound back should again be a force for a program out to prove it wasn’t a one-year wonder.
5 — Drew Hatfield, WR, Mingo Central
The curious case of Drew Hatfield has both he and younger brother Devin Hatfield returning to Mingo Central ahead of the 2019 football season.
A year ago, Drew Hatfield led the state with 1,389 receiving yards on 84 receptions. Twenty-one of those catches went for touchdowns, a figure that was also tops in the state.
However, after the Miners’ first-round playoff loss to Point Pleasant, both Hatfield brothers trasnferred to nearby Logan to play basketball.
They’ve since returned to Mingo Central and Drew Hatfield will again play with a prolific quarterback in the Miners’ Daylin Goad.
Considering Drew Hatfield has more than 3,250 receiving yards to go with 44 touchdowns in his high school career, there’s no reason to think his senior season will be anything short of special.
Others to watch: Daylin Goad, Mingo Central, J.J. Davis, Bluefield; Trey Pancake, Bridgeport; Jeremiah King, Robert C. Byrd; Don Woodworth, Keyser; Monroe Mohler, James Monroe; Nate Kowalski, Fairmont Senior