2026 Team Preview: South Charleston Black Eagles

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 SEASON RECAP</h2>   Biggest Losses: RB/DB Malcolm Brown - TE/EDGE Kayden Hackman - LB Lyric Berger - LB Brayden Zuniga   South Charleston finished the 2025 season with a 2-8 record, but the win-loss column doesn't tell the full story. In his return to the sidelines, head coach Donnie Mays helped breathe new life into a program that had struggled to find victories in recent years. The Black Eagles were more competitive throughout the season and showed clear signs of progress while beginning to establish a new culture. With another offseason under Mays and a roster gaining confidence and talent, expect South Charleston to take a major step forward and be a playoff contender in 2026.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 SCHEDULE</h2>   8/27: vs Nitro 9/4: at Chapmanville 9/11: at Winfield 9/18: vs George Washington 9/25: vs Capital 10/2: vs Herbert Hoover 10/9: vs St. Albans 10/16: at Riverside 10/30: at Spring Valley 11/6: at Princeton   2025 Record: 2-8 2026 Prediction: 6-4   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 OUTLOOK</h2>   The outlook is much brighter for South Charleston entering the 2026 season. A talented core of returning players is back, and the Black Eagles have added many impact transfers who should make an immediate difference on both sides of the football. After laying the groundwork a season ago, this roster looks capable of taking a major step forward that should directly result in wins. South Charleston has quickly gone from being viewed as an easy matchup to a team opponents will have to play their best against to come out with a victory. If the new pieces come together and mesh well, the Black Eagles have a real opportunity to make significant noise this fall.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</h2>    RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 OL Morgan Watts gives South Charleston a cornerstone piece up front entering the season. The 6'5 260 lineman has developed into one of the state's top offensive line prospects thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, and movement ability. Watts moves exceptionally well for a player his size, showing the footwork and balance needed to handle edge rushers while providing a steady presence in pass protection. The Buffalo commit will anchor the Black Eagles' offensive line and is poised for another outstanding season as one of the premier offensive linemen in West Virginia.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 OL Elijah Bausley gives South Charleston another proven presence in the trenches and forms one of the state's top offensive line duos alongside Morgan Watts. Bausley plays with good leverage, consistently winning the battle at the line of scrimmage by staying low, generating movement, and controlling defenders at the point of attack. His technique and understanding of angles allow him to overcome size mismatches while creating running lanes and providing dependable protection. After taking a major step forward last season, Bausley has been attracting D1 attention, and his continued development will be a key part of South Charleston's push to build on the progress made in 2025.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   The Black Eagles upgraded their secondary in a big way with the addition of 2027 DB David Hill. The former Nitro standout enters his senior season as one of the state's top defensive backs after an impressive junior campaign. Hill has the athleticism, confidence, and coverage ability to match up with opposing teams' top receivers, giving South Charleston a true lockdown presence on the outside. His ability to hold up in man coverage allows the Black Eagles to be more aggressive defensively, especially when paired with a talented defensive front capable of creating consistent pressure. Hill's arrival adds another proven player to an already loaded roster and further raises the ceiling for South Charleston entering 2026.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   South Charleston continued to load up in the trenches with the addition of 2027 DL Zion Christian from Riverside. A proven varsity contributor, Christian brings experience, toughness, and versatility to an already deep defensive front. His continued physical development gives the Black Eagles another player capable of sliding inside or outside and creating matchup problems. That flexibility allows South Charleston to move pieces around while keeping fresh, disruptive bodies on the field. Christian may fly under the radar compared to some of the program's other offseason additions, but he's the type of dependable senior who could play a significant role in turning their program around in 2026.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   Another experienced addition joining South Charleston's defense is 2027 LB/S Robert Miller. After transferring from Nitro, Miller arrives with the versatility to play multiple positions, giving the Black Eagles added flexibility at linebacker or in the secondary. His athleticism allows him to cover ground quickly and allows him to be around the football consistently. A new opportunity could greatly benefit Miller as a player and prospect, and the Black Eagles are hoping he can turn his potential into production while becoming another key contributor on an improved defense.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Limited junior year production doesn't tell the full story for 2027 WR Christian Perkins. The South Charleston receiver has the size and physical tools to become a much bigger part of the Black Eagles' offense this fall. Perkins flashes the ability to make plays down the field and presents a difficult matchup thanks to his frame and catch radius. With South Charleston expected to take another step offensively, look for his opportunities to increase significantly during his senior season. If the Black Eagles can get the ball in his hands more, Perkins has the tools for a breakout year and could quickly climb the state rankings.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Another senior receiver ready for a larger role is 2027 WR Mike'Kai Gordon. While his junior numbers were modest, the tape shows a player capable of creating explosive plays whenever the ball is in his hands. Gordon's quickness and change of direction make him a natural fit in the slot, where he has the ability to create mismatches and generate yards after the catch. As South Charleston's offense continues to evolve, expect Gordon to see an expanded role and emerge as a dynamic weapon from the slot during his senior season.      RETURNING STANDOUT   The depth of South Charleston's offensive line doesn't stop with its headline names, as 2027 OL Jackson Slack has developed into another valuable piece up front. Slack earned his way into the state rankings by consistently putting quality film together while being a multi-year starter for the Black Eagles. He plays with a physical edge, finishes blocks, and brings a relentless motor from snap to whistle. While his size may limit some opportunities at the next level, his toughness and style of play make him an important contributor for the Black Eagles.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   One of South Charleston's most underrated defenders entering the season is 2027 DB Brayden Workman. A hybrid linebacker and safety throughout his career, Workman returns as one of the Black Eagles' leading tacklers after consistently finding the football. He plays with a high motor, closes quickly, and is a dependable open-field tackler. Workman is at his best playing closer to the line of scrimmage at Nickel, where he can support the run while also matching up in the slot in coverage. His versatility, physical style of play, and instincts make him an important piece of South Charleston's defense.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   Replacing production in the backfield became much easier with the addition of 2028 RB Malakhi Hope. The former Riverside standout brings two years of varsity experience and arrives after a productive start to his career, giving South Charleston a proven option at running back. Hope runs with good vision, toughness, and the ability to create explosive plays, making him an ideal fit behind one of the state's top offensive lines. He fills an important need for the Black Eagles and gives the offense another reliable and dynamic weapon.      RETURNING STANDOUT        TRANSFER TO KNOW   South Charleston made a major addition to its defensive front by bringing in 2028 EDGE Trevaun Tyson from Capital. Tyson enters the season with two years of varsity experience and has already proven he can be a disruptive force off the edge. His polished technique, relentless motor, and ability to line up at multiple spots make him a valuable piece for the Black Eagles' defense. With Tyson joining an already talented group, South Charleston has the depth, versatility, and playmaking ability up front to cause a lot of problems for opposing offenses the next two years.      RETURNING STANDOUT   Development has been the story for 2028 DL/TE Miles Terry over the past two years. Terry has continued to grow into his frame while developing into one of South Charleston's most intriguing prospects and recently received an offer from Kent State. His combination of size, athleticism, and length creates matchup issues for offenses, and expect him to continue making an impact at tight end. As Terry keeps refining his game, he's developing into one of the top defensive prospects in AAA.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   One of the more underrated newcomers to South Charleston's roster is 2028 WR/DB James Lowe from St. Albans. Lowe enters the season as one of the top receivers in the 2028 class and brings explosive playmaking ability to an already talented offense. With so many weapons around him, touches will have to be earned, but Lowe's speed, versatility, and ability to make plays in space should make him difficult to keep off the field. He also has the talent to compete for a starting role in the secondary, giving the Black Eagles another impact player capable of contributing on both sides of the football.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   2028 South Charleston QB/ATH Ceno Riley is one of their most versatile players after gaining valuable experience over his first two varsity seasons. Thrust into the starting quarterback role as a freshman, Riley showed noticeable growth during his sophomore campaign and continues to develop as a dual-threat playmaker. He could return to lead the Black Eagles at quarterback this fall, but his athleticism also gives the coaching staff flexibility to move him around if needed. Riley is expected to contribute in the secondary as well, where he has the tools to become a standout defensive back.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   The future remains bright in South Charleston's secondary with 2028 DB Elijah Cossin continuing to emerge as an important piece. Cossin showed encouraging flashes during his sophomore season, displaying the athleticism and coverage ability that make him an intriguing cornerback prospect. With another offseason of development, he's in a good position to take on a bigger spotlight this fall. If his progression continues, Cossin has a chance to develop into one of the better defensive backs in the 2028 class by the time his career is finished.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   2029 EDGE/ATH Tramel Musgrove gives South Charleston one of the most high-upside players in the state and another major addition to an already improved roster. Despite being a rising sophomore, Musgrove already has varsity experience and enters the season with an impressive list of P4 offers, which shows just how highly he's regarded on the national recruiting scene. His versatility allows him to impact the game in several ways, whether that's on offense this season or on the defensive side of the football. Musgrove will make an immediate difference this fall, giving the Black Eagles another game-changing weapon as they continue their rise.      RETURNING STANDOUT   It didn't take long for 2029 DL Elijah Mason to emerge as one of South Charleston's most impactful defenders. As a freshman, Mason earned our Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors after consistently making plays against varsity competition. His explosive first step, relentless effort, and ability to penetrate the line of scrimmage make him a disruptive force who is constantly around the football. College coaches have already taken notice, with D2 programs beginning to recruit him, and that interest should only continue to grow. Mason is already one of the Black Eagles' top defenders and has the talent to remain among the state's top young defensive linemen over the next three seasons.      RETURNING STANDOUT   Before an unfortunate injury put his 2026 season in doubt, 2029 WR/DB Devin Lazo had already established himself as one of South Charleston's top young playmakers. Lazo earned a starting role on both sides of the ball as a freshman and immediately showed why the coaching staff trusted him, making an impact as both a receiver and defensive back. His fluid athleticism, versatility, and instincts allow him to influence the game in a variety of ways, whether the ball is in his hands or he's making plays defensively. While the injury could keep him sidelined for a significant portion of the season, Lazo remains one of the brightest young talents in the Black Eagles' program and a player with an exciting future ahead.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Another freshman who wasted little time earning a large varsity role last season for the Black Eagles was 2029 WR/DB Amari Valentine. Cracking the varsity lineup as a freshman is never easy, but Valentine proved he belonged with his athleticism and ability to contribute on both sides of the football. Whether lined up at receiver or defensive back, he brings the versatility and playmaking ability coaches value in young skill players. With three more years to develop, Valentine has the potential to become one of the cornerstones of South Charleston's future and should continue making strides as his experience grows.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>   Jayden Bumpus - 2027 K   [player_tooltip player_id='1154947' first='Kaiden' last='Wilborne'] - 2027 OL/DL   [player_tooltip player_id='2105167' first='Hayden' last='Short'] - 2027 OL/DL   [player_tooltip player_id='1690865' first='Jackson' last='Smith'] - 2028 TE/LB   [player_tooltip player_id='1624426' first='Devon' last='Green'] - 2028 OL/DL   Noel Mason - 2028 LB   De'Azra Fuller - 2028 TE/LB   Cam Wagner - 2030 OL

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