FEATURED PHOTO BY CHUCK ROBERTS
2021 WV Prep Football Insider (Available Now!)
2021 marks the fourth annual WV Prep Football Insider we have published. We take immense pride in writing this magazine but could not do it without the support from the coaches. All 114 teams in the Mountain State get a full-page preview along with a ton of other content (listed below). Our sole purpose is to provide something that gets everyone excited for the upcoming season while also allowing for an invaluable keepsake for players, coaches, and their families. As always, we appreciate everyone’s support and following, making all of this possible!
What’s in the 2021 WV Prep Football Insider?
- 114 full-page team previews (2020 review, 2021 key players, predictions, strength of schedule, etc.)
- Top 100 Players of 2021
- Top 10 Most Anticipated Games of 2021
- Returning Stat Leaders from 2020
- 2000s All-Decade Teams (AAA/AA/A)
- 2010s All-Decade Teams (AAA/AA/A)
- 2021 Top 20 Rankings (AAA/AA/A)
- 2021 AAA Preseason All-State (1st/2nd)
- 2021 AA Preseason All-State (1st/2nd)
- 2021 A Preseason All-State (1st/2nd)
- and much more!
Most Anticipated Games
Honorable Mentions
South Charleston at Morgantown (WEEK ONE)
Fairmont Senior at Linsly (WEEK TWO)
Martinsburg at Salem (VA) (WEEK ONE)
10. Man at Wheeling CC
WEEK FIVE
Last year Wheeling Central caught Man early in their tough season and won decisively. Though the Hillbillies missed the 2020 playoffs, many considered them a title contender. Once again, both teams are projected to be towards the top of Class A. What makes this game so interesting in the clash of cultures and regions. Man, a southern public school, must travels hours north to take on Wheeling Central, a northern private school. It should be a very telling game for both squads midway into the season.
9. Poca at Independence
WEEK THREE
This early AA matchup should be a treat. It features two Division I prospects with Poca’s Toby Payne and Independence’s Atticus Goodson. Both are projected to be among the class’s best after successful 2020 seasons. They are coming in with different situations though. Poca must replace their best class in nearly two decades while the Patriots return every starter except for two. This should also be an incredibly telling game for where both teams stand early on.
8. Point Pleasant at Keyser
WEEK SEVEN
It is no crazy hunch to assume both the Big Blacks and the Golden Tornado will be poised for deep playoff runs. Both have been annual contenders for the title over the last decade. This game specifically will be highly important for both of their seasons. Neither plays an easy schedule and a win here would mean serious quality points. For Point Pleasant, this is among the longest drives they could take for a game.
7. Poca at Herbert Hoover
WEEK NINE
The hype around the Huskies is very much real in 2021. With a talented skill group, several returning all-staters, and some fortunate transfers, Herbert Hoover looks like a legit threat after a 2020 quarterfinal run. However, the measurement game for their conference will be against Poca, who has been the big dog for several seasons. Still expected to be a Top 5 team, this Cardinal Conference matchup could be for the crown and serious playoff seeding.
6. Fairmont Senior at Bridgeport
WEEK THREE
Over the last decade this rivalry has been arguably the best. 2021 looks to be appear no different. Bridgeport returns a lot of players and has high hopes for the season in AAA. The Polar Bear squad is also immensely talented and is projected much higher than the next best AA. This game will be an age-old clash of styles between the Indians’ ground and pound and the Polar Bears’ fast-paced spread. It will be a must-see game if nearby.
5. Fairmont Senior at Spring Valley
WEEK SEVEN
2021 gave us a unique matchup between the two respective title contenders. The Timberwolves were riding the breakage of Martinsburg’s win streak while the Polar Bears were clawing their record back from a losing start. Few thought that Fairmont Senior could take down Spring Valley, but they did so in convincing fashion in route to their state title. This year the Timberwolves have a chance to redeem their loss and this time on their home turf.
4. Cabell Midland at Spring Valley
WEEK ONE
Without a doubt the main event game of the opening week, the geographic rivals are destined for a battle. Cabell Midland did not lose a game in 2020 while the Timberwolves remain the only team to topple Martinsburg in half a decade. With both having sour tastes from their inability to compete for the title last season, 2021 brings a whole new punch. With top-ranked players in every phase, this will be an awesome game to start the season.
3. Martinsburg at Highland Springs (VA)
WEEK FOUR
Martinsburg’s 2021 schedule is arguably the hardest road ever conceived for a Mountain State team. Any of their out-of-state matches could be ranked highly such as Salem (VA) in week one, Sherando (VA) in week four, or Riverside (OH) in week seven- all road games, too. The Bulldogs shall be talented but will get tested more than any other team in recent history. Their bout with Highland Springs (VA) is no different and should be a must-watch between two dominant programs.
2. South Charleston at Spring Valley
WEEK FIVE
The Black Eagles are not deaf. They know many teams challenged their 2020 title, but the film does not lie that they perhaps have more high-end talent than any other program. Unless they stumble against Morgantown in their opener, South Charleston should be unbeaten heading into their main event matchup with Spring Valley. The two titans will clash in styles but ultimately help the state know where everyone stands in AAA.
1. Martinsburg at Spring Valley
WEEK TEN
Near the end of the season, after absolutely brutal schedules, the two standouts of the last five years in AAA will meet. This time it will take place in the deep southwest, about as far as the Bulldogs could travel in-state. Both are projected to be absolute title contenders, field Division I prospects, and have developed a historically excellent rivalry. The fact the Timberwolves snapped their state-record win streak a year ago is only fuel to the fire.