2026 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:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 SEASON RECAP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Losses: QB Cal Culicerto - RB Evan Romage - DL Joey Cowger - LB Kaiden Helmer - OL Michael Crouch - DL Brady Lacek - RB Shayde Hedgecock - OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1538716' first='Peyton' last='Wade'] (TR) - 2029 WR/DB Shepard McGinnis (TR)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shady Spring closed out the Vince Culicerto era with a 4-6 record in 2025, bringing an end to the tenure of one of the most respected coaches in program history. Culicerto helped keep the Tigers competitive for years at a school traditionally known more for basketball than for football, laying a strong foundation for the future. Now, the program turns the page as Chris Vicars takes over to build on that foundation and help Shady Spring take the next step as a consistent contender on the football field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: vs St. Albans<br>9/4: at Lincoln County<br>9/11: vs PikeView<br>9/18: at Oak Hill<br>9/25: vs Westside<br>10/2: vs Greenbrier East<br>10/9: vs Liberty<br>10/16: at Winfield<br>10/23: at Berkeley Springs<br>10/30: at Nicholas County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record:&nbsp;</strong>4-6<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 6-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new chapter begins at Shady Spring as Chris Vicars takes over the program after serving as an assistant with the Tigers and previously leading Summers County as head coach. Vicars inherits a roster with a handful of proven returning contributors, but plenty of opportunities exist for new faces to emerge and carve out larger roles this fall. While the Tigers may not have the depth of some Class AAA programs, they have enough talent to be very competitive if they can stay healthy throughout the season. There are winnable games on the schedule, and if the team comes together under new leadership, Shady Spring has a realistic opportunity to make a playoff appearance in Vicars' first year at the helm.</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":["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-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>Shady Spring will lean heavily on 2027 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1695997' first='Blake' last='Snodgrass'] as one of the focal points of the offense and defense this fall. The senior has developed into a dependable playmaker on both sides last season when healthy, running with confidence, physicality, and the ability to finish through contact. While he'll carry an important role at running back for the Tigers, his long-term future projects well at linebacker, where his length, athleticism, and ability give him plenty of upside. Already holding offers from Glenville State and WV State, Snodgrass has the talent to be a game changer on both sides of the football and will be one of the biggest keys to the Tigers' success in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20270531/67f97dfb112150aa5a700abau0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a693eae007a4"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["862788"],"_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>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After patiently waiting his turn, 2027 QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='862788' first='Myles' last='Clark'] is set to step into the starting quarterback role for Shady Spring this fall. Clark gained valuable experience as the backup over the years and saw plenty of game action over the past three seasons, giving him a solid understanding of the offense entering his first year as QB1. A dynamic runner with the ability to create plays with his legs as well, he'll add another dimension to the Tigers' offense while taking on a much larger leadership role. As Clark settles into the position, his growth as a passer will be an important piece of Shady Spring's success, but his athleticism and playmaking ability already give the Tigers a quarterback capable of making an immediate impact behind center. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19814629/69611f8e30611a4d4f80c4b6u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a693eae00820"} /--> <!-- /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-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>2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1701492' first='Gage' last='Spears'] is poised for a huge season as the centerpiece of Shady Spring's passing offense. The 6'1 receiver has all the tools to be one of the top playmakers in Class AAA, combining smooth athleticism with the ability to separate, make contested catches, and turn routine plays into explosive gains. Whether stretching the field vertically or creating after the catch, Spears is the type of weapon opposing defenses will have to account for every snap. He also brings versatility on the defensive side of the football, but his biggest impact should come as the Tigers' top receiving threat. If Shady Spring has the season it believes it can, expect Spears to be a major reason why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23165381/69162f92c8718226c9560f81u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a693eae00886"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257576' first='Jacob' last='Claypool'] - 2027 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Petry - 2027 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257578' first='Blake' last='Lilly'] - 2027 DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Trent - 2028 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jace Bailey - 2029 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Claypool - 2029 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->