Big Man Standouts: Week Two (OL)

The trenches are often overlooked and underappreciated at all levels of football but the big boys need their fair share of praise too! They are what make the entire operation possible and arguably the most important positions on the team. Here are 10 offensive linemen that looked good on film from week two of high school football in West Virginia.   [player_tooltip player_id='884178' first='Caleb' last='Yates'] - John Marshall '24   The John Marshall Monarchs had a big night running the football in their narrow loss to Union Local (OH) behind a big senior line that includes left guard and Brown University commit [player_tooltip player_id='884178' first='Caleb' last='Yates']. The 6'4 315 senior showed off his strength all game pancaking several defenders and rag-dolling a few as well. Yates looked good when pulling and his combination of size and strength was on full display Friday night which earns him a spot on our week two big man standouts. His work in the weight room has really paid off and you could see why a D1 school is after him.   [player_tooltip player_id='884177' first='Andreas' last='Hunter'] - John Marshall '24   The left side of the John Marshall offensive line may be the best in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='884177' first='Andreas' last='Hunter'] at left tackle and [player_tooltip player_id='884178' first='Caleb' last='Yates'] at left guard. Both athletes have D1 offers and Hunter also had a nice game blocking against Union Local. The 6'5 300 big man had good film on both sides of the trenches but he'll be an offensive tackle at the next level. Hunter moves very well for his size and his footwork and agility stood out in his week two highlights. He blew some defensive linemen off the ball too and it was impressive to see his athleticism and power together.   [player_tooltip player_id='908161' first='Peyton' last='Neff'] - Spring Mills '25   Spring Mills junior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='908161' first='Peyton' last='Neff'] was playing bully ball in the Cardinals' win over Albert Gallatin (PA). The 6'0 280 right guard looks noticeably thicker and stronger this season after starting as a sophomore in 2022. As a shorter lineman, he is able to play with great leverage and really got under some defensive linemen and controlled them well. Neff looked athletic when pulling and passing off linemen to get to the second level of the defense. He also flashed his increased strength and was quick and powerful coming off the line. Neff also showed great footwork and kept his feet moving after contact which opened up some big holes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1126404' first='Matthew' last='Edwards'] - Cabell Midland '25   Cabell Midland's running attack has been dominant thus far through two weeks of the season and starting right guard [player_tooltip player_id='1126404' first='Matthew' last='Edwards'] has impressed on film in the first two games. Although he's undersized at 6'0 225, Edwards is extremely athletic and very strong for his size. The junior fires off the ball with a lot of quickness and power and as a smaller lineman he is able to play with great leverage. Edwards is also a very good thrower on the track & field team and his strength pops on film. He's blowing defenders off the ball like he's 6'4 300 and sometimes driving them backward 5 yards. His athleticism is also very apparent on film with his quickness and ability to get to the second level in a hurry.   [player_tooltip player_id='952856' first='Colton' last='Henderson'] - Shady Spring '25   Shady Spring junior [player_tooltip player_id='952856' first='Colton' last='Henderson'] was serving up pancakes all night in their close win over Nicholas County. The 6'4 230 left tackle played with good leverage even as a lengthier tackle and overmatched his man most of the night. He did a nice job getting his hands under the defenders and has the strength to move them where he wants them. As a slimmer lineman, he also has good athleticism and can move his feet well. If he can continue adding weight to his long frame he may be a scholarship player at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='937514' first='Trenton' last='Luikart'] - Buffalo '24   [player_tooltip player_id='937514' first='Trenton' last='Luikart'] was a big bully in their game against Petersburg which is the best compliment I can give a lineman. He was giving defenders a hard time all night on the edge and was very physical with them. His two-handed slap was deadly and although it might not always work against bigger defensive linemen it was very effective in this game. I liked the attitude and aggressiveness that he played with which I love to see in lineman. Luikart also had some good film on defense and made some nice tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='884179' first='Ryan' last='Kelley'] - Buckhannon-Upshur '24   Big 6'7 350 [player_tooltip player_id='884179' first='Ryan' last='Kelley'] of Buckhannon-Upshur was showing off his size and power in a dominant win over Ripley. He and Darren Daugherty are a deadly combo on the right side of the Buccaneer line. He saw time at left and right tackle but the right side is where he is best and plays the most. For a kid his size he fired off the ball well and gets a lot of power behind his big body. Kelley was driving defenders downfield with ease and he's a very tough matchup for smaller defensive linemen. He's probably more ahead in run block than he is in pass block due to their offense but Kelley is a true road grader in the running game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1106643' first='Ben' last='Guilliams'] - Cabell Midland '26   Cabell Midland offensive linemen are fun to watch and they have a promising sophomore in [player_tooltip player_id='1106643' first='Ben' last='Guilliams']. The 6'2 240 big man was very good in the running game against a tough Spring Valley squad and he is showing early signs of being a very good offensive lineman. The 2026 prospect is very stout for his age and you can tell their weight room program is top-notch at Cabell Midland. Guilliams is the left guard for the Knights and he fires off the ball really well for his age. He's athletic enough to get to the second level and get his hat on a linebacker. Guilliams also flashed his power and did a nice job driving defenders back and overpowering them. The future is bright for this young Cabell Midland Knight.   [player_tooltip player_id='370291' first='Aiden' last='Ellis'] - George Washington '24   George Washington offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='370291' first='Aiden' last='Ellis'] has made the switch to center this season after playing tackle at Riverside last season. Ellis is a very long center who will likely slide back over to tackle at the next level or even guard but the Patriots needed a strong anchor at the center of their line and Ellis has stepped up. It can be tough for a longer center to play with good leverage against stockier defensive linemen but Ellis is doing a nice job holding up there. When he gets his paws on a defender it's tough to get away from him and get around his big frame. He did a nice job turning defensive linemen in the game and creating holes in the A-gaps. Ellis also had a dominant rep on a QB sneak play at the goal line pushing his man 3 yards off the ball for an easy touchdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='487108' first='Daren' last='Daugherty'] - Buckhannon-Upshur '25   Our second Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneer who looked good against Ripley is junior right guard Darren Daugherty. Daugherty is a very big boy at 6'3 330 who is very strong in the weight room which translates very well to the football field. The junior lineman is very stout in their prominent rushing attack and he's a real people mover at his guard spot. The Ripley defensive linemen were simply overmatched for his size and strength and he was able to move them off the ball all night. His athleticism and footwork could use more development and improvement but when Daugherty is asked to move people in the running game he's very capable and willing.

The trenches are often overlooked and underappreciated at all levels of football but the big boys need their fair share of praise too! They are what make the entire operation possible and arguably the most important positions on the team. Here are 10 offensive linemen that looked good on film from week two of high school football in West Virginia.