2024 WV Team Preview: Fairmont Senior Polar Bears

For a discounted subscription to view all of our content, use Code PRZWV30 at checkout for 30% off!   The Fairmont Senior Polar Bears will be looking to defend their 2023 State Championship in the new Class AAA and will have some tough competition vying for that honor. The Polar Bears will return a talented group of seniors and add top-tier transfers to their program to aid their quest to go back-to-back. You can't identify a true weakness on their depth chart on any side of the ball and have top-ranked prospects at each position group ready to make another deep playoff run. The week 10 game against Bridgeport will decide the Big 10 Conference championship as the Polar Bears will be hungry to get revenge after losing to the Indians 40-20 last season and are now matched up together again in the same classification. Don't be surprised if you see those two teams matched up again in the state championship game depending on how the playoff seedings work out.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 TEAM SCHEDULE</h2>   08/30 (H) Lewis County 09/06 (A) Robert C. Byrd 09/13 (A) Preston 09/20 (A) North Marion 09/27 (H) University 10/04 (A) Buckhannon-Upshur 10/11 (H) Wheeling Park 10/18 (A) Elkins 10/25 (-) Open 11/01 (H) Bridgeport 11/08 (H) East Fairmont   2024 Record Prediction: 9-1 2023 Record: 11-2   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>    Fairmont Senior returns the top defensive lineman in the state according to our rankings in 2025 DL [player_tooltip player_id='487106' first='Trevor' last='Bigelow']. He's been a dominant multi-year starter for the Polar Bears and anchors their line on both sides of the ball. Bigelow has picked up quite a few FCS offers to date and a big senior season could have G5 schools ready to pull the trigger on some offers. He's a physical specimen with high-quality athleticism for a big man, making him a near-impossible high school block. Bigelow has been on a tear this off-season at various camps and a top performer at each of them.   Bigelow is ready to have his best season yet with a special senior season coming up.      One of the most dynamic players in the state this season will be 2025 Fairmont Senior WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='907233' first='Cannon' last='Dinger'] who had as good of a junior campaign as you can have in all phases of the game. He tallied 1,200 yards of offense and 11 touchdowns in 2023 while pacing his scoring mark with 11 interceptions on defense. Dinger is lethal from the slot and a natural playmaker on both sides of the ball with innate ability. He's a fluid athlete who is impressive before and after the catch with crisp route running and electric YAC ability.   Dinger will be on the Moss and Lee Award shortlist heading into the 2024 season and could put up more video game numbers as a senior.      2025 WR [player_tooltip player_id='877169' first='Brock' last='Martin'] was a big-time addition to the Fairmont Senior program coming over from North Marion for his senior season and could be the top WR duo in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='907233' first='Cannon' last='Dinger']. He's a bigger-bodied receiver than Dinger and will complement him well in the loaded Polar Bear receiver group this season. Martin brings 1,100 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns with him from his junior season and also has quality defensive back ability as well. He picked up an offer from FCS Morehead State earlier this year and earned a PWO opportunity with WVU after a stellar 7-on-7 performance in Morgantown.   Martin is another natural and fluid athlete with innate playmaking ability who has developed into a well-rounded receiver over the past few years and has put it all together heading into his senior year.      It'll be hard to find a more electric quarterback in the state this season than 2025 Fairmont Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='450993' first='Brody' last='Whitehair'] who totaled more than 3,300 yards of offense and 43 touchdowns as a senior. Whitehair can do it with his arm and especially his legs and led the Polar Bears to a state championship in 2023 during his first year as the starter. He's ready to run it back and has that "It" factor that you're looking for in a quarterback. Whitehair is a tremendous overall athlete and the true definition of a dual-threat quarterback.   Look for him to put up numbers rarely seen at the high school level this season with the cast of talent he has around him along with his own.      Another high-impact transfer for the Polar Bears this season will be former Saint James (MD) linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1158298' first='Hunter' last='Bigelow']. He's a D1 prospect who picked up his first D1 football offer from Morehead State recently and should fit right in with the Fairmont Senior talented LB group. Look for Bigelow to make an immediate impression this season for his new squad as he gets acclimated with WV high school football.   Here's what we said about Bigelow's <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/prz-wv-combine-top-lb-performers-best-of-the-rest/">PRZ WV Combine performance</a>:   "The brotherly Saint James (MD) linebacker duo had a good showing at the PRZ WV Combine with older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1158298' first='Hunter' last='Bigelow']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/hunter-bigelow/"></a> earning a LB Top Performer spot. The elder Bigelow looks the part of a classic middle linebacker who has earned plenty of accolades for his play on the field back in Maryland. He's a quality overall athlete who has received D1 offers for lacrosse but has plenty of upside as a football player too. Bigelow has good feet and showed quality lateral quickness that benefitted him during the RBs vs LBs 1-on-1 drill. That was backed up by his testing numbers where he ran a sub-5-second 40, 4.47 pro shuttle, and 7.69 L Drill further proving what we saw the rest of the camp."      Speaking of high-impact transfers who will greatly help Fairmont Senior this season, 2025 RB [player_tooltip player_id='906668' first='Dominic' last='Fantasia'] made the move across town from East Fairmont and will suit up for the Polar Bears for his senior year. Fantasia is a big-bodied running back paired with very good athleticism which can allow him to develop into a complete back. He made great strides in utilizing his size and power more to his advantage last season and should continue maximizing that potential as a senior. Fantasia has great footwork and is patient in finding which lane he wants to take behind the line of scrimmage. He has homerun-hitting ability once he gets loose and has the speed to out-pace defenders down the sideline. Fantasia also has good make-you-miss ability and can shed defenders on first and second contact consistently.   We're excited to see what he can do in the Fairmont Senior backfield who will have some other talented backs to work with in addition to Fantasia.      [player_tooltip player_id='1126312' first='Navaughn' last='Jones'] is an underrated part of the Fairmont Senior offense who may get overshadowed by some other big-time talent in the program but is a very good player in his own right. Jones averaged 19 yards per catch as a junior and scored 5 touchdowns showing he can be a very good playmaker as well when opportunities come his way. He has legit 4.5-4.6 40-speed that can beat defenders over the top or be used on sweeps out of the backfield who can take it the distance. Jones is dangerous on slants as well and can turn those into big gainers when getting a step on his man.   The Polar Bears will put up some big numbers on offense this season so pay attention to Jones who may not be as known right now as some other very talented receivers on the team.      Another ball carrier for the Polar Bears that you need to know this season is 2025 RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='909078' first='Damani' last='Johnson']. We have Johnson ranked as a Top 10 defensive back right now but he totaled just under 900 yards of offense and 12 touchdowns as a senior to go along with 4 interceptions on defense. He's a quick and shifty scat back on offense with tremendous footwork and twitch. Johnson can be utilized as a pass catcher as well and is an overall athlete with the versatility to play multiple positions.   Johnson is a dynamic player in his own right and should do so again on both sides of the ball this season and a prospect that D2 programs should be all over.      Another former North Marion Huskie who transferred to Fairmont Senior for his senior year is 2025 LB/Edge [player_tooltip player_id='1106018' first='Jeffrey' last='Cowger']. Cowger had a highly productive junior season at defensive end for the Huskies in 2023 and totaled 77 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 13 sacks. We like Cowger as an OLB/Edge prospect at the next level with high potential and upside for those positions once he further develops. Cowger can also line up at TE and posted 8 touchdowns from that spot last season as al all around versatile athlete. We saw that in person at the PRZ WV Combine earlier this year, and Cowger showed off his raw athleticism during testing.   We'll see how Fairmont Senior chooses to use him this season but expect Cowger to harass opposing quarterbacks and crash the edge at a high level again this season.      2025 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1126761' first='Chris' last='Wilson'] is ready to have a breakout year for Fairmont Senior after showing great flashes as a junior in his first year playing football for the Polar Bears. Wilson has a great running back build with obvious athleticism and potential for the position. He'll have the opportunity to rank much higher in the final rankings update after the season and could be a high stock riser with a good senior year. Wilson flashed all of the makings of a college running back with further development and is a prospect worth looking into for D2 programs.   He showed natural ability as a first-year player in 2023 and should take a big step forward in 2024 as a senior and second-year in the program.      An under-the-radar lineman prospect for Fairmont Senior is 2025 OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1316856' first='Powers' last='Dawson'] who will be a returning starter for the Polar Bears this season. While he may not have elite size, Dawson should be a small college prospect with D2 potential if he puts some great things on film during his senior season. He's a punishing puller from his left tackle spot and a physical blocker in the running game. Dawson has interior defensive line versatility as well and may have an even higher ceiling at that position. He has strong hands, uses them well, and plays with good leverage. Dawson is a quality athlete for his size and can block in space which is why they trust him to play tackle at a short stature.   Keep an eye on Dawson this season as an underrate big-man prospect who should earn some college opportunities.      [player_tooltip player_id='1138994' first='Tarran' last='Boda'] will see time at running back and linebacker this season for the Polar Bears but ranks as the #2 DB in the 2026 class right now. We like him at defensive back at this stage the most because of his size and athleticism but could one day switch positions depending on film and how he progresses over the next two years. If he keeps getting bigger, Boda has a high ceiling as an outside linebacker given his natural athleticism and ability to cover ground quickly. A hybrid box safety feels like a great projection for Boda down the road once we get a bigger sample size of him in pass coverage. He has a high motor and pursues the ball well while playing with high effort.   Boda should make a nice jump as a junior and further show why he's highly thought of by PRZ WV.      Another former East Fairmont product who will now be suiting up and making an impact for Fairmont Senior is 2026 OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1138225' first='Triston' last='Ramsey']. Ramsey should see time on both sides of the line for the Polar Bears this season and do some good things at both spots. We have him ranked as an offensive lineman for now, but we like his potential as a defensive player too.   Here's what we recently said about Ramsey in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2026-prospects-new-to-the-top-125/">2026 Rankings New Additions article</a>:   "One of quite a few new faces who will now be suiting up for the Fairmont Senior Polar Bears this season is 2026 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1138225' first='Triston' last='Ramsey']. He made the move across town from East Fairmont and looks to sure up the Fairmont Sr. offensive line this season. Size has been the one trait that has kept him outside of the rankings before, but now at 5'11 240, he's getting bigger and working himself into a better college prospect. Ramsey also has the potential to flip to DL in our rankings in the future and could be a better fit for him as a prospect given said size. He has quality athleticism and has played linebacker in the past which is aiding his play along the line."     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1228132' first='Logan' last='Canfield'] - WR/DB | 2025 Watch List   [player_tooltip player_id='1229718' first='Kaleb' last='Arbogast'] - OL/DL | 2025 Watch List   [player_tooltip player_id='1087022' first='Parker' last='Bigelow'] - LB | 2027 Top 60   [player_tooltip player_id='1326535' first='Rudy' last='Carrillo'] - WR/DB | 2027 Watch List   [player_tooltip player_id='1221848' first='Grayson' last='Dinger'] - ATH | 2028 Watch List

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