*NOTE: To help spread the love, players will be listed at only one position. So some players who might qualify as a Big Board caliber player here will be ranked at another position. The scout sheet we send to colleges has all players and all their positions. Some players have been adjusted to another position due to scheming and likelihood of change in college.
SPECIALISTS! C&C is in the process of being apart of a West Virginia specialists ONLY camp set for sometime in July 2021! These will help us reorganize our rankings. Please make note as we will release more details in the coming months!
Honorable Mention
40 – Bryson Tate (Winfield) 2022
42 – Will Harmon (Shady Spring) 2023
42 – Eli Tucker (Wheeling Central) 2024
TIE – 4. Seth Earnest
Earnest has been a solid producer for the Golden Tornado the past two seasons, ranked as a top 15 specialist since his tenth grade year. After making quite a lot of field goals as a sophomore, he was put into some really tough positions as a junior. This caused his percentage to be skewed due to long, elite attempts. His PAT percentage was still great at 92%, displaying his consistency. He should finish his senior season with all-around improvement.
TIE – 4. Zander Watson
Watson plays several positions for the Big Blacks on offense and defense. Though, where he makes quite a large impact is booting the ball as the team’s punter. In 2020 he had a 38.0 yard punting average which trends towards the top of the state. It would not be surprising if Watson followed up this off-season with more focus on his specialist role. The Big Blacks have had all-state punters before so his progression should be imminent.
3. Joe Starcher
With a shortened season Starcher did not get quite as many opportunities to hit field goals as he did when being among the state leaders in ninth and tenth grade. Since a freshman, he has been one of the most consistent kickers in AA on an equally consistent offense. Last year he notched a solid 90% on extra points, cementing this. Hopefully, with a full season in 2021, he can fully show what he can do with more opportunities to hit field goals.
TIE – 1. Jaxson Haynes
Haynes led all kickers in West Virginia in field goals made with five as Sissonville clutched the #1 seed in the AA playoffs. This came while hitting on 83% of those kicks with a long of 40 yards, the second longest of any returning kicker. His extra points were also stellar as he kicked at a 96% success rate. Haynes numbers speak for themselves and he rose to the occasion when presented the chance. He should have an equally, if not better, senior season.
TIE – 1. Levi Paxton
Paxton was even on our specialist lists but was on everyone’s radar after the Huskies great regular season. But he really began to impress with his performance in their first round upset in the AA playoffs. He finished the season going a perfect 4/4 (100%) with a long of 36 yards. He also did not miss a single extra point (100%) the entire season despite Herbert Hoover’s high-scoring offense. Only being a junior, he seems set to be the lone #1 specialist this time next year.
Keep An Eye Out
Trinity’s Kyle Knight (2023) got plenty of opportunities last season and made the most of them while also hitting on 83% of his extra point. Bluefield’s Cole Simpkins (2022) is a 6’4 defensive end/punter that averaged 35.0 yards per punt. Two excellent longsnappers to pay attention to are Ravenswood’s Wes Hill (2022) and Doddridge County’s Dylan Knight (2022)- both double as notable H-backs and linebackers. Midland Trail’s Talon Shockey (2023) was also an all-state caliber kicker in Class A.