2026 Team Preview: Preston Knights

<!-- 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: QB Slaton Manko - WR Aidan Schmidl - LB Ryder Kilkenney - OL Levi Beeghly (TR) - WR/DB Aiden Strawser </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preston endured a difficult 2025 season, finishing 1-9 and missing the Class AAAA playoffs. Despite the record, the Knights showed flashes offensively throughout the year behind a record-setting connection between QB Slaton Manko and WR Aidan Schmidl. Both now graduate, leaving Preston with significant production to replace on offense. While the results weren't there in the win column, they'll press on as the Knights begin turning the page toward 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: vs Hampshire<br>9/4: vs North Marion<br>9/11: vs Fairmont Senior<br>9/18: at Robert C. Byrd<br>9/25: vs East Fairmont<br>10/2: at Baldwin (PA)<br>10/16: at Bridgeport<br>10/23: at University<br>10/30: vs Buckhannon-Upshur<br>11/6: at Elkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>1-9<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 2-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Replacing a four-year starter at quarterback like Slaton Manko and prolific WR Aidan Schmidl is no easy task, and their graduation leaves the biggest question marks facing Preston entering 2026. The Knights built much of their offense around Manko's skill set, so expect the identity of the unit to look different with a new quarterback under center. How quickly that position develops will go a long way toward determining Preston's success this fall. Defensively, the Knights will need to take a noticeable step forward to help offset the offensive production they lost. Competing in Class AAAA for the Knights is not easy, but continued development on both sides of the ball will be key as Preston looks to become more competitive throughout the season.</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":["897595"],"_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>One of Preston's top returning seniors is 2027 OL Max Huggins, a multi-year starter who has become the anchor of the Knights' offensive line. Huggins has steadily improved throughout his high school career and has developed into a legitimate college prospect who is still flying under the radar. His size, strength, and physical style of play project well to the interior of the offensive line at the next level, making him a player college coaches should know. Expect Huggins to lead the trenches once again this fall and should receive D2 and D3 opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18482078/69d32057f8174a82ba547894u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4c27c5bef2d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897594"],"_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>Preston has built a reputation for producing tough, downhill linebackers, and 2027 LB Brayden Miller is the next in line. A productive contributor since his freshman season, Miller is set to cap off a four-year varsity career as one of the Knights' defensive leaders. He's a classic middle linebacker who thrives between the tackles, playing with physicality and a nose for the football. As a senior, Miller will once again be counted on to anchor Preston's defense and set the tone with his hard-nosed style of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18564057/68e318e69c4dae332bc44dd2u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4c27c5bef7a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1934334"],"_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>2027 Preston DB Jake Gibson was a quality role player for the Knights during his junior season and is in line for a much bigger opportunity this fall. We also had the chance to see Gibson compete at the WV Exposure Series this offseason, and expect him to be a potential breakout candidate for the Knights this season. With additional snaps and responsibilities expected as a senior, Gibson has the chance to become one of Preston's top defensive contributors and a leader in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19969346/6910a7c6633f38190351c3beu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4c27c5befad"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112748"],"_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>Preston's tradition of producing productive linebackers appears to be in good hands with 2028 LB Robert Watson. Lining up alongside Brayden Miller, Watson finished second on the team in tackles as a sophomore and is next in line to carry on the program's reputation at the position. He flies to the football, closes quickly on ball carriers, and plays with the physical downhill style that has become a trademark at the position. Expect Watson to be one of the Knights' top defenders again in his junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/27322862/68c8cae3a517800e3f235694u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4c27c5befdb"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden Cole - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caleb Dobbins - 2027 RB/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Livengood - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Jennings - 2027 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaleb Stone - 2027 WR/DB </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>William Lilly - 2027 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malik Powell - 2028 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Walcott - 2028 WR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brady Taylor - 2029 K</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->