PRINCETON, W.Va. — Head coach Nathan Tanner set the highest possible bar for expectations following his first year leading the Tigers. Princeton won the first state title in the 102-year history of the program and the Tigers did so with a perfect record of 14-0.
“I am just super-proud of our kids, our parents and our community,” Tanner said. “It took a lot of work for that to happen. Everybody bought in and it was really special.”
After a full offseason in the weight room, 7-on-7’s and flex day practices, personnel may be different but the approach to a title defense is very similar to the previous year.
“I would be lying to you if people don’t talk about it and bring it up. The kids think about it. I hear them talking about it to friends and even when they get interviewed. It is definitely a thing. But as far as the process and the work goes, it is the same.”
“We’ve kind of embraced it,” said Princeton senior lineman Landyn Moore. “There’s definitely pressure to it because everybody is coming for you because you are the reigning state champs.”
Princeton must replace two of the state’s elite skill players in quarterback Chance Barker and MetroNews Player of the Year and WVU wideout Brad Mossor. Opportunities await for young players to earn snaps at many positions on the field.
“Leadership really is the biggest thing for me and teaching the younger kids how to do the right thing,” Moore said. “We lost Brad and Chance, two of the best players in the state for sure. They are going to be hard to replace. We’ve got kids out here right now that are looking to replace them and I think they are doing a great job.”
Senior Jake Belcher is set to make the move from running back to quarterback.
“As soon as the season was over last year, I think it was a part of his vision and mission to take over in that role,” Tanner said. “He hasn’t just kind of done it, he has really capitalized on his opportunity.”
Junior Alex Cox will take on a greater role in the backfield after seeing snaps at running back on last year’s title team.
“Last year, he played a ton as a sophomore,” Tanner said. “At the beginning of the year, he started out as a slot receiver on offense. We ended up putting him at tailback and he thrived.”
Landyn Moore has been an integral part of Princeton’s offensive and defensive lines over the last three seasons where the Tigers have gone 38-3 with two trips to the Class AAA title game. Moore has committed to compete at Marshall University next fall.
“One of my big things was staying in-state so my family could come and watch me whenever,” Moore said. “Marshall was my first offer. Going into my junior year, they were the first team to offer me. That was a big thing too and they just stayed in contact throughout it all.”
“He has gotten so strong that when we max on squats, I get nervous,” Tanner said. “The last time we maxed, I actually told him, ‘We’re good with that’. He was like, ‘I want to try about 40 pounds more’.”
As defending state champions for the first time in school history, Tanner is confident that his Tigers, individually and collectively, will bring the right mentality to their title defense.
“There’s no need to be nervous if you are prepared. It is OK to be anxious,” Tanner said. “It is funny, I was just talking to somebody about that before we talked. He was talking about how he was a little nervous. I was like, ‘You mean more anxious than nervous?’ He was like, ‘Yes’. I think we have a lot of kids that are anxious at the opportunity to I guess respond to the pressure.”