2026 Team Preview: North Marion Huskies

<!-- 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: ATH Toby Michael - ATH Cole Morris - DB Cyrus Collins - LB Josh Holden - OL Logan Gump - LB Karter Parson - LB Landyn Stemple - OL Jacob Freels - OL Hunter Rogers </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Marion continued to prove why it remains one of the state's most consistent Class AAA programs in 2025. The Huskies finished 10-2, with both losses coming in competitive games before their season ended in the quarterfinals against eventual state runner-up Nitro. Year after year, North Marion finds a way to stay in the playoff conversation, and that standard isn't expected to change under longtime head coach Darran Hays. While several key contributors have graduated, this is a program that has built its reputation on reloading rather than rebuilding, making the Huskies a team that should once again be in the mix when the postseason arrives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/27: at East Fairmont<br>9/4: at Preston<br>9/11: at Philip Barbour<br>9/18: vs Fairmont Senior<br>9/25: vs Lincoln<br>10/9: at Elkins<br>10/16: vs Lewis County<br>10/23: vs Robert C. Byrd<br>10/30: at Grafton<br>11/6: vs Nitro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>10-2 (Playoff Quarterfinals)<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 9-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expectations remain high in Farmington entering the 2026 season. North Marion returns a strong nucleus from last year's 10-win team and benefits from a favorable schedule, giving the Huskies every opportunity to put together another successful campaign. Replacing their starting quarterback will be one of the biggest questions to answer, but plenty of familiar faces return around that position to ease the transition. The standard hasn't changed under Darran Hays, and North Marion should be one of the toughest outs in Class AAA with the talent to make another deep playoff run.</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":["1615272"],"_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-6a4a770921086"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>TRANSFER TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest offseason additions for North Marion came up front with the arrival of 2027 OL Zach Gump from Clay-Battelle. After establishing himself as one of the top offensive linemen in Class A, Gump now gets the opportunity to test himself against Class AAA competition. His 6'8 300 frame is hard to miss and immediately gives the Huskies another imposing presence in the trenches. North Marion has built a reputation for developing offensive linemen, making this an excellent fit as Gump enters his senior season. Already an underrated small college prospect, a strong season against higher-level competition could elevate his recruitment while helping anchor one of the better offensive lines in Class AAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23403772/6965171e55761a3faa23cb41u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a663ceb66cd2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1087022"],"_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>TRANSFER TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another major offseason addition for the Huskies came with the arrival of 2027 LB Parker Bigelow from Fairmont Senior. Bigelow enters the program as one of the top linebackers in the 2027 class, bringing a physical, downhill style that fits perfectly with North Marion's defensive identity. The Huskies have a long track record of developing quality linebackers, making this an ideal opportunity as he steps into a significant role this fall. With experience, toughness, and leadership, Bigelow has all the tools to become the next standout at the position and should make an immediate impact for a defense that has the pieces to compete with anyone in Class AAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22503954/68d43c281b118871f37520f1u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a663ceb66d92"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2138244"],"_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-6a4a770920ebe"} --> <!-- 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>Momentum has continued to build for 2027 WR/DB Blake Johnson heading into his senior year. The 5'11 175 playmaker has developed into one of North Marion's more intriguing two-way athletes, pairing speed, burst, and athleticism to impact the game in multiple ways. Johnson tracks the football naturally, closes quickly, and consistently puts himself in position to make plays, whether attacking the ball in the air or driving downhill to finish tackles. His potential has already been recognized with an offer from Fairmont State, and he'll enter his senior season with the opportunity to become one of the Huskies' top playmakers. A big year will bring even more college attention while cementing Johnson as one of the top defensive backs in Class AAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19702878/693f672e6435a5b055e911beu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a663ceb66e52"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2255559"],"_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>A big senior season is coming for 2027 DL Gavin Floyd. The 6'0 300 defensive lineman has been a productive piece of North Marion's defense throughout his career, entering the fall with 60 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in his career. While there isn't game film available to evaluate, the production speaks to the impact he's made as a disruptive presence in the middle of the defensive front. Floyd gives the Huskies a physical interior defender they can rely on, and he's primed to turn in the best season of his career while anchoring one of Class AAA's top defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624409"],"_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-6a4a770921024"} --> <!-- 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>2028 OL Evan Miller has the type of frame that is difficult to find at the high school level and will be an anchor of their offensive line for two more seasons. The North Marion standout made significant strides between his freshman and sophomore seasons, showing continued development while establishing himself as a key piece of the Huskies' front. His combination of size, strength, and long-term upside makes him one of the more intriguing young offensive linemen in the state, and there's still plenty of room for his game to grow over the next two seasons. As North Marion continues to rely on its physical identity up front, expect Miller to remain a major part of that success while continuing to draw the attention of many college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22927419/69252a7d843db2a770518021u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a663ceb66f66"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311022"],"_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>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two productive varsity seasons have already established 2028 RB Brian Poindexter Jr as one of the top running backs in his class. The North Marion standout is a smooth, explosive athlete whose burst and quickness allow him to create big plays whenever he finds space. Poindexter has continued to develop into a more complete offensive weapon, and his ability to make defenders miss gives him the potential to change games with a single touch. With two more seasons still ahead of him, he remains one of the premier young playmakers in Class AAA and has all the tools to continue adding accolades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22927429/68e2e2df4141c44d988f9981u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a663ceb6700a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colby VanGilder - 2027 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Williams - 2027 K</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Edgell - 2027 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kolson Brown - 2028 QB/ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tucker Noechel - 2030 QB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timmy Johnson - 2030 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->