WV Preseason Spotlight: Hancock County (Offense)
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As we reach the four month window until the 2023 football season begins, we will spotlight some of West Virginia’s prospects to watch for this season. We will begin with the northern most county in West Virginia: Hancock County. Here…
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Continue ReadingAs we reach the four month window until the 2023 football season begins, we will spotlight some of West Virginia’s prospects to watch for this season. We will begin with the northern most county in West Virginia: Hancock County. Here are some prospects you need to keep an eye on for the offensive side of the ball in Hancock County for the 2023 season.
Corey Lyons
Corey Lyons
“He’s just a football player” is a phrase often used in the football world and you would be hard-pressed to find another athlete that fits that phrase better than 2024 ATH Corey Lyons of Weir High School. Turn on his junior highlight tape and sit back and enjoy 12 minutes of Lyons being a Swiss Army Knife for his Red Riders team. You’ll see him line up at QB, RB, WR, LB, S, returner and even holder.It’s always a great idea to get your best athletes the ball in as many ways as possible and the Weir High coaches did just that last season. Lyons returned the favor with a big season while averaging 9.4 YPC on 98 rushes for 921 yards and 15 total touchdowns. He also threw for 205 yards on 24 completions and had 18 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble and a fumble recovery on defense as well. His work on the field earned him 1st Team All-OVAC and Honorable Mention All-Area for his 2022 campaign.Make sure you keep tabs on this 2024 ATH as we are expecting him to have an even bigger senior season.Hudl | Twitter
Damir Mowder
Damir Mowder
Damir Mowder is a 2025 WR/DB for the Weir High Red Riders that you need to remember for the next two years. If you were to just glance out on the football field he would be one of if not the first player that would stand out. Listed at 6’2 195, you would think he’s already in college and would be shocked to know that he’s only a rising junior. Since Weir High is a run-heavy team, Mowder’s stats won’t blow you away due to limited catch opportunities but that doesn’t mean his talents don’t match his physical prowess. He is a big target on the outside and his size allows him to shield off defenders to make the catch. Mowder also has plenty of speed to go with his size which makes him a dangerous threat in the passing game. While there aren’t many defensive highlights in his sophomore film he has all the tools to be a very good safety or even linebacker as he continues to grow physically and fundamentally.
Since Mowder is only a rising junior he still has plenty of time to continue developing and we expect his role to only increase as he enters his junior season for Weir High. One thing we would like to see him improve is catching with his hands more as opposed to using his body which is often something receivers need to improve on. Overall, Damir Mowder is an impressive athlete and we look forward to seeing where he takes his game his next two years of high school.
Malachi Stromile Malachi Stromile 5'9" | 140 lbs | ATH Weir | 2024 State WV
Malachi Stromile Malachi Stromile 5'9" | 140 lbs | ATH Weir | 2024 State WV
Malachi Stromile Malachi Stromile 5’9″ | 140 lbs | ATH Weir | 2024 State WV is really fun to watch on the football field. While some people might disregard him for his size as he’s listed at 5’9 140, once the ball is snapped they quickly reverse that decision. Stromile plays QB for his Weir High team and while we see him as an ATH that best projects as a slot receiver or DB there is no doubt he is a threat to make plays with each snap. He runs the option and RPO game very well and while he may not be the biggest physically he plays much bigger than he measures. Stromile is not afraid to take it up the middle amongst the big boys and has plenty of speed to get outside and get to the corner.
He certainly has enough arm talent to play the QB position so that’s not to say he isn’t a good QB. Just get the ball in his hands and let him do his thing.
Chase Littleton
Chase Littleton
2024 Weirton Madonna High School WR/LB Chase Littleton has two things you just can’t teach: size and athleticism. At a towering 6’4, Littleton is a dangerous threat in the passing game and gives opposing defenders fits. He’s not just tall either with enough speed to create separation and run by defensive backs and linebackers. Littleton also showed great ability to make tough and contested catches while absorbing contact which plays into being a big-bodied receiver. He is also a standout linebacker and could be on either side of the ball at the next level.
While he’s still growing into his long frame there’s no doubt he will be a highly sought-after prospect as he goes into his senior campaign. Littleton is also a multi-sport athlete and excels at any sport he plays which is something colleges often look for.
Here’s another athlete that will punish you if you overlook his size with 2024 WR/DB Jonah McKay Jonah McKay 5’8″ | 155 lbs | WR Madonna | 2024 State WV of Weirton Madonna. The best way to describe McKay is a “jitterbug”. You’ll often see him wide open in his junior highlight video as he finds open pockets in the secondary and easily gets by linebackers from his slot position. McKay also has the speed to run by defenders and create separation along with good route running. Don’t let his size fool you because he is not afraid of contact either. He’s also a standout at the safety position on defense and will take a hit or serve a hit and get right back up. Weirton Madonna had quite the lethal passing attack last year and McKay was an important ingredient to their successful aerial attack. We expect the 2024 Weirton Madonna product to have another good season in his senior year and build upon the successful junior campaign he had in 2022.Hudl | Twitter