INSTITUTE, W.Va. — For some players, Saturday’s North-South Football Classic at South Charleston High School will mark their final time playing competitive football.
For others, the week leading up to the game provides an idea of what’s to come in the future. With players from both teams staying at West Virginia State throughout the week, those going on to play at the next level are provided in part with a glimpse of what it’s like staying on a college campus and developing a daily routine that football heavily factors into.
That’s the approach being taken by Joey Ramsey, who is representing St. Marys for the final time before he heads off to West Liberty to continue his career on the gridiron.
“I kind of feel like this gives me a little bit of firsthand experience of what it’s going to be like come August,” Ramsey said, “and it gives me a head start to know what to expect.”
Ramsey enjoyed a sensational senior season for the Blue Devils. He was often utilized in a variety of ways and proved effective in various roles, rushing for 1,169 yards and 15 touchdowns and catching 535 yards worth of passes and nine additional scores.
Ramsey was instrumental in leading the Blue Devils to a seven-win season and a berth in the 2022 playoffs as the team’s leading rusher and receiver. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry and better than 26 yards per reception and was equally vital to the team’s defense while recording 63 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Ramsey has the makeup of a player ready to take on the challenges that await in the Mountain East Conference. He is joining the Hilltoppers’ program as a tight end.
“It really helps coming in with the blocking schemes,” Ramsey said of his size. “I’m faster for my size, so I can run some routes and catch some balls, but I kind of have a head start with my size and obviously I’m going to get bigger.”
Because he was a proficient pass-catcher for the Blue Devils, Ramsey believes at least part of that can translate to a different position at West Liberty.
“My route-running will be really beneficial at the college level,” Ramsey said. “A lot of times, tight ends can be bigger and slower and I think my speed can help me.”
A running back and linebacker and SMHS, Ramsey was an early commitment to partake in the North-South Football Classic. Even after signing with the Hilltoppers after football season and earlier this year, Ramsey honored his commitment to play against other top seniors across West Virginia.
“I was one of the first ones on the original roster.” Ramsey said. “I’ve known I was coming down for a while. I stayed committed, came down and it’s been a good time.”
With an opportunity to meet players from different areas and schools, Ramsey, like many members of both squads, can form new friendships with teammates, opponents and coaches that will extend well beyond this week.
“We have fun when we’re not in practice, but when we’re in practice we really lock in and want to get better and learn the schemes,” Ramsey said. “The coaches have really done a good job of balancing having fun with keeping it serious at the same time.”