2024 WV Team Preview: Wheeling Central Maroon Knights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>For a discounted subscription to view all of our content, use Code PRZWV30 at checkout for 30% off!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wheeling Central Catholic Maroon Knights had a rare down year for their standards in 2023 with a young roster that should show the fruits of their patience in 2024. They'll face a tough schedule with opponents from four different states/DC, but the Knights have the talent to make a run this season as another year older and more mature. Time was all they needed last year for their young talent to develop over the off-season and the patience should pay off in 2024 and beyond. Wheeling Central will be a contender even with moving up a class and could make some serious noise come playoff time. They'll see two of the better teams in the new Class AA during the regular season in the first three weeks with James Monroe and Williamstown, so we'll learn quickly what the Knights are capable of this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 TEAM SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>08/30 (A) James Monroe<br>09/06 (H) Fort Frye (OH)<br>09/13 (H) Williamstown<br>09/20 (A) Midland Trail<br>09/27 (H) Pittsburgh Perry (PA)<br>10/04 (H) Ron Brown (DC)<br>10/11 (H) Steubenville Catholic (OH)<br>10/18 (H) Pittsburgh Carrick PA<br>10/25 (A) Toronto OH<br>11/01 (-) Open<br>11/08 (A) Shady Spring</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record Prediciton: </strong>8-2<strong><br>2023 Record:</strong> 5-5</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":["907235"],"_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-66d0d180f0bf8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top players in Class A last season was 2025 Wheeling Central WR/RB [player_tooltip player_id='907235' first='Braden' last='McWreath'] who returns over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns for his senior year. The track star has next-level speed and will see the bulk of his time at running back but we like his future at receiver at the next level. Even so, McReath led the Knights in receiving and rushing as a junior, and will still utilize him as a pass catcher this season. He has some of the fastest straight-line speed in the state regardless of classification and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with a move up to the new Class AA, expect McWreath to have another big season for the Knights with a healthy year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13312552/654e5251da50b80a305950c0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d0d180f0ec1"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1307522"],"_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-66d0d180f0f0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small college lineman prospect to know for the Knights in 2024 is 2025 Ol/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1307522' first='Zeke' last='Burkle']. He'll be an offensive line starter who can play center or guard but we see his future as a defensive lineman or fullback. Burkle is undersized for offensive line, but he plays the position how you'd expect from an undersized player. Burkle is able to out-leverage bigger defensive linemen and gets under them easily with the strength to move them. He uses his hands well and keeps his feet moving to finish blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burkle has received D3 attention to date and should receive some opportunities from that level this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17951095/666dca4f191f9dfbecd1f6ca' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d0d180f0f33"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["862785"],"_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-66d0d180f0f81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The thunder to McWreath's lightning is 2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='862785' first='Isaac' last='Martin'] who had a productive sophomore campaign for the Knights. He's one of the top running back prospects in the 2026 class in our eyes and is as physically impressive of an athlete his age as you're going to find in West Virginia. Martin just wrapped up an undefeated state-champion wrestling season and is primed for an even bigger junior year on the football field. The 6'0 215 bruiser is a one-cut-and-go style of runner who's going to fall forward on nearly every carry and will break first and second attempted tackles often. Martin is a very physically strong athlete whose wrestling background helps him on the field and will continue to get faster as he gets older. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wheeling Central has two great options in the backfield with contrasting styles that they'll lean on again this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17939691/655908120661620848185e9e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d0d180f0fa4"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895002"],"_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-66d0d180f0fe0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 DB [player_tooltip player_id='895002' first='Joey' last='Hall'] has been a steady player for the Knights since his freshman year and ranks among the Top 15 defensive backs in his class according to our rankings. Hall led the Knights in interceptions as a sophomore with 3 and could earn some accolades as a junior this season. He has fluid hips and feet and prefers playing his back to the sidelines on his backpedals which allows him to use his speed to close on receivers and make a play on the ball. Hall has the speed and quickness to run step for step with his man and pursues the ball quickly when not in coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for him to take another step forward as a junior and be able to lock down one side of the field for the Nights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17939611/6556ce8ca6768804f0c46192' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d0d180f0fff"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895003"],"_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-66d0d180f1043"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The returning leading tackler from a season ago will be 2026 LB/LS [player_tooltip player_id='895003' first='Wyatt' last='Brady'] who also finished his sophomore wrestling season strong making it to states and finishing as a runner-up. Long-snapper may be his best position which is what you'll find in his sophomore highlight tape and could play there at the next level if he doesn't choose to wrestle in college. Brady is one of the top snappers in the 2026 class and was very consistent in that role last season. His snaps have good velocity and speed on them with consistent ball placement on punt and kick snaps. His athleticism and time at linebacker will allow him to be good on punt coverage which we'd like to see more film of, but we know he has the ability to do it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's worth watching at linebacker as well and will perform both duties well again this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17939653/65539fc2664bbe06341ec440' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d0d180f1069"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1168050"],"_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-66d0d180f10a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wheeling Central will have one of the top specialists in the 2027 class to utilize this season in [player_tooltip player_id='1168050' first='Clayton' last='Petry'] who will showcase his leg more as a sophomore. Petry backed one of the top 2024 specialists last season and now is his time to take over the reins at kicker for the Maroon Knights. We're eager to see game film of Petry this season but have been impressed by his workout film to date. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Petry in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2027-rankings-debut-31-40-ranked-prospects/">2027 rankings Debut article</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Speaking of 2027 specialists, Wheeling Central's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1168050' first='Clayton' last='Petry']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/clayton-petry/"></a> is another high-ceiling kicker prospect who will be in contention for the #1 spot once he shows it at the varsity level. Petry will be taking over for highly-ranked 2024 kicker Eli Tucker this season for the Maroon Knights and has shown great signs from watching his practice film on social media. He clearly has a big-time leg for his age with 50+ range on air and smooth mechanics operationally that give him a great base to build on. The ball jumps off his foot, and Petry does a nice job driving the ball on kickoffs quickly and fluidly."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ClaytonPetry27/status/1824875902687416828","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ClaytonPetry27/status/1824875902687416828 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155194"],"_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-66d0d180f10ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Maroon Knights will also have one of the better defensive linemen in the 2027 class with [player_tooltip player_id='1155194' first='Dominic' last='Asbury'] who had a strong freshman debut in 2023. Another year bigger and stronger will benefit his game as a sophomore, but Asbury showed some good things as a freshman that lead you to believe he'll continue to develop over the next three years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Asbury in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2027-rankings-debut-51-60-ranked-prospects/">2027 rankings Debut article</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"A freshman varsity starter for the Maroon Knights last season, 2027 Wheeling Central DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155194' first='Dominic' last='Asbury']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dominic-asbury/"></a> is one of the few defensive linemen in this class to stand out early on. Asbury was the third-leading tackler in 2023 with 51 total and 3 TFLs as an interior defensive lineman. His size will be his biggest area to follow over the next three years which will determine his ceiling as a prospect, but the other traits Asbury put on film warranted a Top 60 ranking at this time. Asbury has good short-area quickness and a high motor that allowed him to be a team leader in tackles as a freshman from a difficult position to do so. He played fast for his age and showed violent hands at the point of attack. Asbury will improve in all areas once he gets more weight behind him to hold up better against bigger offensive lines."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19645299/6556bbf315f6060584498baa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d0d180f111a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='969271' first='Seth' last='Cover'] - QB | 2025 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1126408' first='Hunter' last='Kerr'] - OL/DL | 2025 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693735' first='Luke' last='Wear'] - OL | 2026 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1686621' first='Caleb' last='Golden'] - WR/DB | 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137048' first='Troy' last='Mortakis'] - TE/DE | 2026 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Max Olejasz - WR | 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tino Kusic - QB/ATH | 2027 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155294' first='Brady' last='Ernest'] - LB/ATH | 2027 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1304656' first='Dustin' last='Sanner'] - RB/LB | 2027 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->