ST. MARYS, W.Va. — In the most unique and challenging football season of 2020, games were scheduled on a few days notice, Sunday afternoon playoff games were frequent and in the case of St. Marys, the final playoff game was contested on Thanksgiving weekend. The Blue Devils navigated a 10-1 season with a second Class A state title under head coach Jodi Mote.
“I guess it is just memories that you will always have with you and people will know what you are talking about,” Mote said. “Hopefully, twenty or thirty years from now because hopefully we don’t have to deal with (COVID) again. We are just thankful we were able to finish the year out and the young men won the state championship. We’re thankful for that.”
Last year’s team included thirteen seniors and several multi-year starters. This fall, a much younger group steps in with just three starters returning on both sides of the ball.
“We have some younger kids and some inexperience to try to figure out where we are going to be, position-wise and getting that group to come together as a team on offense, defense and special teams. That will be our goal this year.
“We’re trying to get them to understand it is their time. They are no longer playing on Monday nights, they are going to be playing on Friday nights. That in of itself, it is important for them to see that.”
Among the notable returners are senior linemen Riley Boley and Wyatt Norman. Junior Cody Houser is also back as a starter. Some linemen could be shifted to skill positions if needed.
Now entering his twentieth season leading the Blue Devil football program, Mote knows that one of the most important ingredients for improvement this fall could be patience.
“Focus on positives and work on negatives and try to improve every day. Patience is definitely something you have to endure.
“I have always lived by the difference between success and failure is how you choose to respond to adversity. And you are going to face adversity. Are you going to get back up or are you going to lay down? I believe these young men will get back up and fight.”