Cameron and Clay-Battelle is an established rivalry.
The most recent two schools to finish runner-up in Class A will get to showcase such to start the 2026 football season when the Dragons play at the Cee-Bees on Thursday, August 27 in the the WVSSAC Kickoff Game presented by the West Virginia Army National Guard.
The 7 p.m. matchup will air live on MetroNews TV and SportsNet Pittsburgh.
“This is huge. We have a lot of alumni no longer in the area, so this will be a real cool opportunity,” said J.R. Krafft, Athletic Director at Clay-Battelle. ”It’s a great opportunity for our school and community, and I’m going to geek out a little bit being able to watch Clay-Battelle on the same station I watch Pirates and Penguins games on.”
The Cee-Bees finished 12-2 in 2025, losing their opener to the Dragons and in the Class A title game against Wheeling Central.
CBHS avenged its six-point Week 1 loss to Cameron by winning the rematch in a state semifinal, 24-12.
With expectations increasing following a successful campaign, Krafft expects Blacksville to be abuzz for what lies ahead.
“It’ll be like game day at WVU for our community. It’s a big deal,” Krafft said. “When I asked our principal and [head coach Aaron LaPoe], they didn’t even ask what day of the week or any logistical stuff, they just said, ‘sounds good, it’s done.’ There’s going to be a lot of excitement.”
Cameron was 8-4 a year ago and 12-2 in 2024 when its season ended with a one-possession loss to Wahama in the state final.
In 2025, the Dragons eliminated the White Falcons in a quarterfinal before their season ended with a loss in Blacksville.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity for our school, program and community to be televised, especially with it being such a small school and playing a pretty big rival of ours,” said Roger Cain, Athletic Director at Cameron. “It means a lot that we were selected for the broadcast and hopefully we show the talents we have in Single-A.”