2025 WV Team Preview: Mingo Central Miners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mingo Central had a disappointing season in 2024 with a season that didn't go as they had hoped, but fast forward a year later, and the Miners look primed to flip the script. They got a big addition for their much-needed quarterback position, the biggest missing piece from a 3-6 campaign last year. The Miners have several measuring stick games on their 2025 game slate that will tell us a lot about how far they can go this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: at Tug Valley<br>9/5: vs Westside<br>9/12: at Wayne<br>9/19: at Man<br>9/26: vs Wyoming East<br>10/3: at Scott<br>10/17: vs Logan<br>10/24: vs Lincoln County<br>10/31: at Chapmanville<br>11/7: vs Doddridge County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record:</strong> 3-6<br><strong>2025 Prediction:</strong> 7-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908000"],"_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-68a4f84ee125d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Mingo Central ATH [player_tooltip player_id='908000' first='Aidan' last='Burke'] did it all last season for the Miners out of necessity. Burke was pressed into duty at quarterback in the middle of the season in 2024, which isn't his natural position, but he's the type of athlete who can execute any skill position on the field. His best position as a college prospect is yet to be determined, but Burke is a high-level athlete who should earn more offers this fall if he gets his film posted. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17399074/66e76c30fd1167c6ec5bc392' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a4f84ee167a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908730"],"_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-68a4f84ee1706"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A top target in the passing game this season for the Miners, now that they have a quarterback to get them the ball, is 2026 WR [player_tooltip player_id='908730' first='Keziah' last='Joplin']. You could see his potential in the limited touches he got as a junior and should see increased opportunities as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Joplin in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/new-additions-to-the-2026-top-250-pt-3/">2026 Rankings New Additions article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Mingo Central is hoping to get its passing game back on track in 2025 after a step back last season, and 2026 WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908730' first='Keziah' last='Joplin']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/keziah-joplin/"></a> will be a top target for them. Production was light as a junior, given the struggles as a whole in the passing game, but you can see Joplin's potential if they can get him the ball more. Transfer 2027 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687819' first='Jamere' last='Knuckles']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jamere-knuckles/"></a> appears to be the answer in that regard, so keep an eye on Joplin to break out as a senior for the Miners."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18390886/67b95a4f3911611b6cd3592b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a4f84ee1748"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1239111"],"_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-68a4f84ee17b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2026 Mingo Central athlete who will benefit from their new quarterback is ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1239111' first='Donavon' last='Valdelamar']. He's a gadget-type of player who can be utilized in a multitude of ways and someone that you can get creative with on offense. Valdelamar is also a valuable piece to the Miners' defense at corner. Size may keep colleges away at first glance, but his playmaking ability should garner some attention this fall as the Miners' offense opens up more in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17875315/678a98dbf05c2e1f98f37a95' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a4f84ee17ed"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907920"],"_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-68a4f84ee1858"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Mingo Central LB [player_tooltip player_id='907920' first='Taegan' last='Hackney'] has been a very productive player for the Miners in both of his seasons at the high school level. We expect him to do more of the same in 2025 as a junior and elevate his game even further after another offseason. Hackney is a tough-as-nails downhill middle linebacker with a throwback mindset for the position. He's a tackling machine with good play recognition and physicality that translates to high production at the linebacker position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18514837/679d8b283a3d2615ec31bff2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a4f84ee188f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908261"],"_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-68a4f84ee18f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Mingo Central RB [player_tooltip player_id='908261' first='Jace' last='Coleman'] is ready to be the Miners' top running back this season after patiently waiting behind a talented senior. He was a good #2 option as a sophomore and is ready to carry the load as a junior now. Coleman rushed for 400 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024, numbers that he can more than double in 2025. He's a quick and shifty running back with good footwork and make-you-miss ability that will make defenses uncomfortable in space. We're anticipating a breakout year for Coleman, especially now that defenses will have to respect the passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19534376/672ef21af51e7100e22fc506' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a4f84ee191c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580731"],"_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-68a4f84ee1968"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A freshman standout for the Miners in 2024 who was one of their top defensive players was 2028 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1580731' first='Jacob' last='Maynard']. We're expecting big things from Maynard in his second season in the program and will have the opportunity to be their leading tackler as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Maynard in our 2<em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-60/">028 Rankings Debut article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The most productive pure linebacker in the 2028 class last season was Mingo Central's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580731' first='Jacob' last='Maynard']</strong>. He was the second-leading tackler for the Miners as a freshman among a very talented linebacker group. Maynard totaled 86 stops, including 11 for a loss and 6 sacks. He's an aggressive and attacking outside linebacker who is very capable of rushing the passer off the edge. Maynard is also stout in run defense with the athleticism that he has, and can track down ball carriers from behind when the play side is opposite of him."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">‼️A short video of my highlights from last season . Cant wait to show what I've learned and gotten better at coming into my 10th grade year‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/MaxPreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaxPreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DDSportsNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDSportsNetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/davidjones_7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@davidjones_7</a> <a href="https://t.co/PbTrCfEd7Z">pic.twitter.com/PbTrCfEd7Z</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1580731' first='Jacob' last='Maynard'] (@Maynard1169) <a href="https://twitter.com/Maynard1169/status/1940294883199398062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Mounts - 2026 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687819' first='Jamere' last='Knuckles'] - 2027 QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Newsome - 2027 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897590' first='Davion' last='Joplin'] - 2028 DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743477' first='Griffin' last='Beckett'] - 2029 OL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743481' first='Malachi' last='Phillips'] - 2029 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->