2026 Team Preview: Nicholas County Grizzlies

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 SEASON RECAP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Losses: RB/LB Devin Nash - QB Coleton Hellems - P Colton Burkhammer - DB Ian Nutter - OL Jackson Triplett - DB Lucas Milam - DL Isaiah Dillon - DL Cooper Lanham - DL Ronan Lang</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matt Morriston's first season at Nicholas County didn't produce the record the Grizzlies were hoping for, but there were signs of progress throughout a 2-8 campaign. Nicholas County remained competitive in several games, with multiple close losses showing the program wasn't far from turning a few outcomes in its favor. The biggest challenge now becomes replacing several multi-year starters who accounted for a large share of the team's production on both sides of the ball. Even with those departures, the experience gained during Morriston's first season should provide a solid foundation, and a step forward in year two wouldn't come as a surprise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: vs Riverside<br>9/11: vs Buckhannon-Upshur<br>9/18: at Lincoln<br>9/25: at Oak Hill<br>10/2: vs Midland Trail<br>10/9: at Bluefield<br>10/16: at Greenbrier East<br>10/23: vs Roane County<br>10/30: vs Shady Spring<br>11/6: at Ripley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>2-8<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 3-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Replacing players like Devin Nash and Coleton Hellems won't be easy after both played major roles in Nicholas County's offense over the past several seasons. Nash leaves behind First Team All-State production as the Grizzlies' workhorse running back and one of their top defensive players, while Hellems provided valuable experience at quarterback. Even with those losses, year two under Matt Morriston presents an opportunity for the offense to take on a different identity built around the strengths of a new group of playmakers. There are winnable games on the schedule, and if Nicholas County continues to develop and embraces that evolution, the Grizzlies have a realistic chance to take another step toward becoming a competitive program again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2254695"],"_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-6a4a770920f52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Length and athleticism give 2027 LB/EDGE Brennon Smith plenty to build on entering his senior season. Smith showed encouraging flashes coming off the edge as a junior and has the versatility to line up as a defensive end or in a stand-up EDGE role, where his frame is a better fit. He plays with a high motor from snap to whistle, and that effort carries over to special teams as well. With another year of experience under his belt, Smith is in line to become one of Nicholas County's top defensive playmakers this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19401654/69f38b60e40619c604c2bb8eu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a64d31726e9e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1695979"],"_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-6a64d31726ef4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new opportunity awaits 2027 ATH Spencer Keiper as he enters his senior season. After spending the past three years making plays at wide receiver while also gaining spot experience at quarterback, Keiper is a strong candidate to take over under center for the Grizzlies this fall. He brings the athleticism to give Nicholas County a true dual-threat presence, and his ability to create with the ball in his hands could open up new possibilities for the offense. Keiper has already shown he's capable of making plays in multiple roles, and if he settles in at quarterback, he has all the tools to put together a breakout senior season and continue climbing the recruiting radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19630842/69810c85504639845efd42bcu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a64d923acf74"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616391"],"_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-6a4a770920fbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholas County will count on 2027 OL/DL Xander Lefler to play a major role on both sides of the line this season. Lefler contributed as a two-way player during his junior year and could take over at center while continuing to provide valuable snaps at defensive tackle. Although there isn't much recent film available to evaluate, his size, versatility, and opportunity as a senior make him an intriguing prospect entering his senior season. Lefler is a player small college programs should keep an eye on as he looks to take a step forward in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19670415/6743c63b6536928fd4b02de1u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a64d31726f6e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2254696"],"_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-6a64d31726fb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger senior season could be on the horizon for 2027 WR/DB Landon Keenan. Keenan put together a productive junior campaign, but there's still another level he can reach if Nicholas County finds consistency at quarterback to get him the ball more. He gives the Grizzlies a long, athletic target on the outside with the speed to get behind defenders and the size to win contested catches down the field. If the passing game takes a step forward this fall, Keenan has all the tools to emerge as one of the breakout receivers in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19630837/68fedb41a9294a3efad91a1cu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a64d31726fdf"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1615500"],"_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-6a4a77091ca8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholas County has a promising young offensive lineman in 2028 OL Kaleb Mann. Mann played an important role up front for a rushing attack that consistently controlled the line of scrimmage last season, helping pave the way for one of the state's most productive ground games. He has the 6'3 frame to continue adding strength over the next few years, giving him plenty of long-term upside as an offensive line prospect. As his physical development continues, Mann has the potential to grow into one of the top young linemen in his class and another key piece of the Grizzlies' future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22520503/692742ce1a225560fbe67c3eu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a64d3172704c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaac Hamrick - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lukas Bailes - 2027 DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Deaton - 2027 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Meadows - 2027 RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Griffin Morriston - 2028 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->