FRANKLIN, W.Va. — In ten seasons as Pendleton County’s head coach, Zac Smith has led the Wildcats to the state semifinal round four times. Last fall, PenCo won seven consecutive games before falling to eventual Class A state champion Wheeling Central Catholic in the semis.
“It was a great postseason,” Smith said. “I don’t think anybody was satisfied with the loss at Wheeling Central. We fought tooth and nail up there but couldn’t quite get the job done. Really excited with the way we finished. I think we got a lot better as the season wrapped up. We’re looking for things to get better, even better this year.”
“It was so fun. It has been a dream of mine to play in the state playoffs. We fell short but I think I am ready to come back and I will use that as motivation this year and show people where I want to be, the state championship game,” said Pendleton County junior QB/LB Colton Roberson.
As the Wildcats pivot to 2026, Smith welcomes back nearly every starter on both sides of the ball, giving Pendleton one of the deepest and most experienced rosters in Class A.
“This is really every head coach’s dream to have basically ten on each side of the ball back,” Smith said. “We’re not satisfied. We are looking to get better in those spots. We’ve got some young receivers and some juniors that are trying to fill Chase Owens’ role, who was a super contributor last year.”
First team All-State quarterback and Division I prospect Colton Roberson enters his third season leading the Pendleton County offense. Roberson holds an offer from Marshall University, earned in large part after a sophomore season where he tossed 37 touchdown passes and ran for 26 more scores. Roberson accounted for just under 4,700 yards of total offense and he was the team’s leading tackler with 154 stops.
“We’ve got to kind of pull the reins back a little bit with him and limit the carries a little bit,” Smith said. “Of course, he is going to touch the ball every play being at quarterback. But at the same time, try to pull him off some special teams. He’s a super athlete. We would love to have him out there for all 48 minutes.”
Roberson will be joined by several returning skill players. Fellow junior Travis Owens led the Wildcats with 70 catches for 1,315 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025.
“Travis is my best friend,” Roberson said. “It is crazy that we have two more years together. Even Cam Wyatt, he is going to have a big year. Britton Lough is also going to have a big year. I am blessed to have those receivers to be able to throw to. I feel like I can’t make anything wrong when they are out there.”
Seniors Ty Heavener and Spencer Hartman each collected over a hundred tackles last fall and they will be integral members of the offensive and defensive lines.
“Both are really key leaders up front,” Smith said. “Ty Heavener and Spencer Hartman, I am looking for some really big things out of them this year. They are key contributors. They are going to anchor us. We are going to hopefully see improvement from last year.”
After falling just short of the school’s first appearance in the state championship game last fall, the goal for this year’s group of Wildcats is clear.
“We’re ready. I am excited to show everybody what we’re all about,” Roberson said. “Watch out for Pendleton County this year.”