2024 WV Team Preview: Bluefield Beavers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bluefield Beavers missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2000 &amp; 2001 seasons and look to break that unfortunate streak in 2024. They'll be aided with a move down to the new Class AA where they should be a yearly premier program and perennial state championship contender. Although facing a tough schedule of a mix of quality VA and WV teams, the Beavers return a nice chunk of talent who should be able to find themselves back in the playoffs. It starts up front for the Beavers with returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='450991' first='Jaden' last='Francisco'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1126448' first='Grady' last='Woods'] who will see time on both sides of the line again next season. 2025 RB [player_tooltip player_id='907240' first='Kisean' last='Smith'] is primed for a breakout senior season after missing time last year due to injury as we expect big things from him in 2024. The Beavers have a pair of DB prospects in 2025 Jeff King and 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1138995' first='Josiah' last='Campbell'] who can be playmakers on the offensive side of the ball as well. However, the leader of the defense will be 2025 LB [player_tooltip player_id='908992' first='Ty' last='Patton'] who has been a mainstay for the Beavers the past two seasons and returns to put a cap on a fine high school career for his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 TEAM SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>08/30 (A) Graham (VA) <br>09/06 (H) Princeton <br>09/13 (H) Greenbrier East <br>09/20 (A) Woodrow Wilson <br>09/27 (A) Independence <br>10/04 (-) Open<br>10/11 (A) PikeView <br>10/18 (H) Grayson County (VA)<br>10/25 (A) Oak Hill <br>11/01 (A) Giles (VA) <br>11/08 (H) James Monroe </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record Prediction:</strong> 6-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450991"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6671cc86dfe42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We just recently broke down 2025 Bluefield defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='450991' first='Jaden' last='Francisco']'s game in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/unofferred-2025-prospects-worthy-of-d1-looks-pt-3/">Unofferred 2025 Prospects Worthy of D1 Looks</a> series and the #1 prospect you need to know for the Beavers this upcoming season. The 6'4 255 big man was a PRZ WV Class AA First Team All-State selection this past season as a junior and will return as one of the best big men in the new Class AA in 2024. Francisco is a two-way star for his team who could play on either side of the line in college, but we like him the most as a projected interior defensive lineman in college. He's an athletic big man who has yet to fully realize his potential as an athlete but has a tone of upside and a high ceiling at the college level if he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> Francisco will be a big catalyst for helping the Beavers reach the playoffs again this upcoming season after rare a two-year hiatus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907240"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6671cc86dfe9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We anticipate a breakout senior season for 2025 Bluefield RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='907240' first='Kisean' last='Smith'] after a bit of a setback due to injury during his junior year. Smith has a high athletic ceiling with positional versatility that could allow him to play on either side of the ball in college as a running back or defensive back and possibly even some slot receiver. Smith is an explosive athlete with a quick burst who can be a blur if he gets a crease or out to the sideline. If you can get him the ball in the open field the odds are in your favor that he'll create a long explosive play or find his way into the endzone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a smaller sample size of junior highlights to evaluate given his injury last season, Smith will have something to prove in 2024 for his senior season and don't be surprised to see him as one of our highest stock risers when the final 2025 rankings come out after the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908992"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6671cc86dfedc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 Bluefield LB [player_tooltip player_id='908992' first='Ty' last='Patton'] will be one of the best linebackers in the new Class AA this upcoming season and has been a staple in the middle of the Beavers' defense for multiple seasons now. He's your classic downhill-thumping middle linebacker with a throwback junior highlight tape if you appreciate old-school linebacker play. Patton is a highly physical player and a reliable tackler in space and at the line of scrimmage who will create many TFLs with his style of play. He has quality pursuit speed as a blitzer and does a nice job tackling through contact. The lack of coverage film hurts his evaluation a bit, but Patton is at his best moving forward at the snap as a run-stopping middle linebacker prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's the leader of the Beavers' defense and a team captain who should garner D2 and D3 interest during his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1126448"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6671cc86dff16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An under-the-radar lineman prospect for the Bluefield Beavers who doesn't get talked about enough is 2025 OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1126448' first='Grady' last='Woods']. Woods was named to the WVSWA Class AA Honorable Mention All-State team last season as a junior and a two-way player for the Beavers. As an undersized lineman in the 6'0 220 range, Woods may project best as a defensive line prospect but his offensive line film impressed us when evaluating the few game highlights he has available. He's a sneaky strong athlete who you may overlook due to his size but will quickly change your mind once he gets his hands on you. Woods is a good leverage player who uses his lack of length to his advantage and gets under bigger opposing linemen with the strength to move them. His film against a very talented Princeton team and front catches your attention and shows you the kind of power he has in a smaller frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Woods is an underrated prospect that D3 programs should be looking at closely this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909080"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6671cc86dff51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another underrated prospect for the Bluefield Beavers the past couple of seasons has been 2025 DB [player_tooltip player_id='909080' first='Jeffrey' last='King']. He's a downhill hard-hitting strong safety prospect who has the size at 6'0 180 to play in the box some and closer to the line of scrimmage which he has experience with. King also has the athleticism to drop into coverage and made strides in that area as a junior as he continues to turn himself into a multi-faceted safety. He's a physical player that comes with a purpose and is a consistent tackler in the open field or among traffic. You got to see more flashes of his athleticism on offense as a receiver, and he should have a bigger role on that side of the ball as a senior </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although on our 2025 Watch List right now, King will be ranked in our upcoming summer rankings update and will reflect the strong junior season he put together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1138995"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6671cc86dff88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bluefield has a 2026 DB prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1138995' first='Josiah' last='Campbell'] that we are high on coming into his junior season who currently ranks as the #6 DB in the class and a Top 70 player. Campbell is a legitimate track athlete which shows up on the football field as a dynamic playmaker in all three phases of the game. He's an explosive athlete with the speed and quickness to be a game-breaker on any side of the ball. We project Campbell as a DB at the next level but his work on special teams as a returner can be special and is always a threat with the ball in his hands at any position. He's a natural playmaker with an innate ability to create explosive plays with good field vision. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although still a bit undersized right now at 5'10 155, Campbell can develop into one of the premier players in the new Class AA by the time he's a senior and an exciting player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->