2025 WV Team Preview: Shady Spring Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shady Spring Tigers quietly had a quality 2024 season and should again be a formidable foe in Class AAA. They've got some returning pieces to reload from last year and should be a playoff team again in 2025. The Tigers aren't to be overlooked and will have a few opportunities for some statement wins on their schedule if they can elevate their game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/30: at St. Albans<br>9/5: vs James Monroe<br>9/12: vs Nicholas County<br>9/19: vs Oak Hill<br>9/26: at PikeView<br>10/3: at Greenbrier East<br>10/17: vs Winfield<br>10/24: vs Berkeley Springs<br>10/31: at Westside<br>11/7: at Liberty-Raleigh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record:</strong> 7-4<br><strong>2025 Prediction:</strong> 6-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894971"],"_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-68ab82929d709"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='894971' first='Joey' last='Cowger'] is an EDGE prospect that we like but will play on both sides of the line for the Tigers. We've seen him in person several times a campsl and Cowger is someone that D3 programs would find a lot of value in. A great senior season could allow D2 opportunities as well as Cowger has been a quality player for the Tigers since he was an underclassman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18144803/6786f3bf63623f348aa63148' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ac7ee43e7a5"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605099"],"_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-68ab82929d76a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An underrated linebacker in the 2026 class and a potential future stock riser in our rankings is Shady Spring's [player_tooltip player_id='1605099' first='Kaiden' last='Helmer']. He's long and athletic with a frame to add significantly more size to at the next level, which would elevate his game further. Helmer has the ability to earn D2 looks this fall with a good senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18374785/671bf61dcd261424dab769cf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ac7ee43e87d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691069"],"_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-68ab82929d7bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We got to see 2026 Shady Spring QB [player_tooltip player_id='1691069' first='Cal' last='Culicerto'] in person earlier this summer at a camp, and he should have a nice year for the Tigers as a senior. His length stands out with a frame to add significant mass to. Culicerto is raw mechanically as a passer, but if he can be developed in that aspect, he may earn D2 interest and is a great D3 prospect. The Tigers will need Culicerto to have a big year if they want to take a step forward and get a playoff victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18129706/685ca0bcb93f153b4c3955b0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ac7ee43e933"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1239071"],"_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-68ab82929d808"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big 2026 lineman that we expect to emerge this season for Shady Spring is OL [player_tooltip player_id='1239071' first='Michael' last='Crouch']. He'll be needed to step up as a senior after getting some run last season on a talented Tigers' offensive line. We also got to see Crouch in person this summer, and he looks the part of a D2 prospect. If Crouch takes a step forward and gets his film posted this season, expect him to earn some college looks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18144781/67191f082d66f1d88985fb1c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ac7ee43e9e4"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1695997"],"_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-68ab82929d852"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A sneaky good linebacker duo in Class AAA this season will be 2027 Shady Spring LB [player_tooltip player_id='1695997' first='Wyatt' last='Snodgrass'] and 2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1605099' first='Kaiden' last='Helmer']. They are of similar molds as long and athletic players with a lot of potential as prospects. If Snodgrass can keep adding size to his 6'2 frame, he'll be one of the better linebacker prospects in the 2027 class and will likely debut in the rankings after his junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20270531/67f97dfb112150aa5a700aba' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ac7ee43ea96"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1538716"],"_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-68ab82929d8e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shady Spring has one of the early, more promising big men in their program with 2028 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1538716' first='Peyton' last='Wade']. He's someone we've gotten to see in person a lot during his young career, and we've seen him progress in a short amount of time. Wade should earn a starting varsity spot as a sophomore and is a good building block for their offensive and defensive lines for years to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Wade in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-80/">2028 Rankings Debut article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"2028 Shady Spring OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1538716' first='Peyton' last='Wade']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-wade/"></a> is a prospect we have seen grow in person over the off-season and is steadily improving as a player. He has the potential to be a future stock riser in the rankings if he keeps up the progression that he's shown as a young player to date. We've seen Wade improve each time we've had the opportunity to see him perform in person, and he's developing quickly with the work that he's putting in on his own time. Expect him to have varsity success this season for the Tigers and keep tabs on him over the next three years."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23160431/673561ce5e7ee70119002bc0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ac7ee43eb51"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701492"],"_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-68ab82929d89d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2028 Shady Spring prospect to know moving forward is DB [player_tooltip player_id='1701492' first='Gage' last='Spears']. He was placed on our 2028 Watch List and will be someone we monitor closely moving forward to see how he develops. He'll be a key piece on the Tigers' varsity squad this year and showed potential on JV as a freshman. If Spears can continue to make progress physically, he has the length and athleticism to become a standout varsity defensive back either as a corner or safety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23165381/686d71f97643be8a361cb193' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68ac7ee43ebfa"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Romage - 2026 RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->