ST. MARYS, W.Va. — A year after winning just four games, St. Marys bounced back in a big way in 2025. The Blue Devils doubled their win total last fall, finishing an 8-2 regular season by earning the No. 6 seed in the Class A playoffs.
“Coach [Jodi] Mote, he saw something was up with the work ethic we had and he started to have us step up as a team, not just leaders individually,” said St. Marys senior lineman Deion Mosley. “We all kind of just stepped up as a team. If someone wasn’t there, someone else was there to take their place. We just need to have that mentality this year.”
As the Blue Devils put the pieces in place for Jodi Mote’s 25th season leading the team, Mote is confident that players that have been built up through the youth and middle school levels will continue to become valued contributors at the high school level. Starting quarterback Jeremiah DeMoss returns to engineer the St. Marys offense. DeMoss accounted for 19 total touchdowns as a junior.
“Jeremiah, in my opinion, is one of our leaders,” Mote said. “He had a tremendous junior year last year through the challenges that he had. He stuck with it. I believe this year, I am looking for him to have a big year.”
“He’s an amazing leader,” Mosley said. “He just drives everyone to do their best. He is a good driving force for the team. He works hard with all he can. He works but he still comes here in the evening and gives all he can.”
DeMoss’ first line of protection up front will come from an offensive line that will be anchored by Deion Mosley. The senior tackle has made the rounds on the offseason camp circuit throughout the summer.
“The [Dante and Darius] Stills Brothers camp, he took some of the other linemen with him to that camp,” Mote said. “We’re hoping for him to have a healthy year. We’re hoping for him to have a successful year as well.”
“I’ve been to about, I would say almost eight camps. My goal for the offseason basically has been to lose weight, try to get faster, and try to get more football IQ,” Mosley said. “Last year, I did better. But I think I can have a better year this year. I think we all can have a better season as a team.”
On defense, the Blue Devils welcome back one of their leading tacklers from a year ago in junior linebacker Elijah Kimball.
“He is very smart with his understanding of the game,” Mote said. “Coach [Jay] Powell, he heads our defense. And I believe he takes the things that have him assignment-wise, and he is able to do that.”
Mote is hopeful that the offseason work put in by his players will continue into August to prepare for a season that could produce a 17th playoff appearance under his leadership.
“I thank these guys for just doing what we have to do to try to be successful,” Mote said. “I fell like these guys are working hard and will work hard come August 3rd. I think, number one, we have to stay healthy. And then of we can stay healthy and humble and just work hard, I think they can have a productive year.”