FEATURED PHOTO BY TERAN MALONE
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!
Biggest Sleepers
UNIVERSITY
The Hawks cannot be considred too much of a sleeper as they have been in the playoffs most of the 2010s including last year. Perhaps, where they could really surprise people is that they return 18 starters. Their quarterback could breakout as a junior with an underrated skill group. The Hawk line is also well-sized and have experience back to their sophomore/freshman years. How high they can go is still a mystery, but with an easy schedule, a home field advantage in the playoffs is definitely possible.
MORGANTOWN
Calling the biggest school in the state a sleeper might be pushing it but the Mohigans have not had a winning record in several years. Sean Biser’s first season in 2020 was solid as they got back to .500 while he brought the Wing-T back to Morgantown. Now, with a full offseason and a previous year in the offense, big strides could be made. They house several Big Board skill players and their entire offensive line plus their tightend is also ranked- a first in C&C Big Board history. Their smashmouth play could see them as a tough outing against anyone. We will see exactly where they stand week one against defending champs South Charleston.
JEFFERSON
The Cougars have had high hopes the past few seasons. A tough schedule has ultimately snuffed their momentum during those years. 2021’s road is still hard but a little lighter which should help them reach their potential. They have a Top 10 quaterback, several ranked runningbacks, and one of the best receiving + tight end corps in Class AAA. With some young talent on defense, this ultimately puts the question mark on their frontlines. 2021 seems like a good season for them to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
BERKELEY SPRINGS
The Indians have been trending the right direction the past few seasons. After a serious downturn, the freshmen of those teams are now juniors and seniors. They worked up to 3-4 last year and return 19 of 22 starters. Their offense looks very promising featuring a ranked quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end. A slew of experience fills in at every level. Their schedule is not a cakewalk but gives them plenty of hope for a potential playoff run. One thing to note is that they do have a new coach this year in Terry Rea, who has taken over for Chip Breeden.
ROANE COUNTY
The Raiders’ 2020 season was defined by injuries. They lost their top producers early on in the season yet still were a consistently competitive bunch. Though no preseason all-staters are on their lineup, they do have the advantage of experience. Their quarterback, Shadraq Greathouse, was one of those key players injured a year ago and might be very much a sleeper himself as a dual-threat athlete. The Raiders definitely have the potential to rise up the backend of the AA rankings.
WAYNE
Years ago it would be a joke to mention the Pioneers as a sleeper but tough times have hit the program over the past few years. 2-4 was their 2020 record and was actually an improvement from 2019. A lot of their players are still young and relatively unknown to the state but plenty of rumbling have been coming out of Wayne County that these young ones are impressive. Whether or not those claims deliver is another story. Playing in the Cardinal Conference, the state will figure that out by October.
GILMER COUNTY
The Titans are probably many people’s pick to be a sleeper. With Class A being the most turnaround-capable classification, it is entirely plausible to see a non-playoff team make a deep playoff run a year later. After improving to 5-4 in 2020, Gilmer County returns 20 starters including all-state skill player Avery Chapman and the bonafide #1 QB in Class A with Ean Hamric. That is quite a recipe. Luckily, we will not have to wait too long to see where they stand as East Hardy comes to town week one.
RAVENSWOOD
Going 1-9 in 2020, the Red Devils have plenty of room for improvement. They return 2/3 of their starters including the team’s QB, RB, WR, and the offensive line. Their defense has historically been sound. Ravenswood’s biggest obstacle in getting back into the playoffs will be their ferocious schedule that includes St. Marys, Williamstown, Ritchie County, Doddridge County, and Buffalo. With such little wiggle room, the climb will be hard but if they can get to the dance- who knows.
WAHAMA
The White Falcons have slowly climbed back to relevancy in Class A. Last year, they notched a winning record for the first time since 2014. Though still not senior dominated, they return 15 starters including several all-staters. They find high-level experience at QB, RB, both lines, and on defense. Their schedule is pretty forgiving as well. It seems very likely they get back to the postseason with the potential shot of some upsets.
Be the first to comment