2026 WV Team Preview: Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers

<!-- 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:</strong> <strong>QB Dawson Tenney - OL Garrett Cutright - ATH Cooper Antolini - OL/DL Conner McKim</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buckhannon-Upshur finished the 2025 season with a 2-9 record but still earned a trip to the Class AAAA playoffs, giving the Buccaneers valuable postseason experience. The biggest challenge this offseason is replacing record-setting QB Dawson Tenney, who signed with Charleston, along with ATH Cooper Antolini, OL Garret Cutright (WV Wesleyan), and OL/DL Cooper McKim. Fortunately for the Buccaneers, only five seniors graduated, allowing much of the roster to return intact. The offense showed it could put up points at times last season, and much of that skill talent returns for 2026. If the next quarterback can step in and keep the offense productive, Buckhannon-Upshur has the pieces to take a step forward. With an experienced core returning, the Buccaneers should be a more competitive team this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: at Bridgeport<br>9/4: at Philip Barbour<br>9/11: at Nicholas County<br>9/18: vs Elkins<br>10/2: vs Fairmont Senior<br>10/9: at Lewis County<br>10/16: vs East Fairmont<br>10/23: vs Lincoln <br>10/30: at Preston<br>11/6: vs Robert C. Byrd</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>2-9 (Playoffs Round One)<br><strong>2026 Prediction:</strong> 3-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SEASON OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's reason for optimism in Buckhannon-Upshur entering the 2026 season despite the loss of its record-setting quarterback. The Buccaneers return a veteran core on both sides of the ball, highlighted by standout WRs Easton Metzner and Jacob Frye, while LBs Greyson Wyland and Kadyn Baisden form one of the more underrated linebacker duos in Class AAAA. Replacing Dawson Tenney's production and experience won't be easy, but there are several winnable games on the schedule if the next quarterback can provide steady play. With participation numbers continuing to rise and the program working to establish itself beyond its basketball reputation, we expect Buckhannon-Upshur to take another step forward in 2026.</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":["1595526"],"_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-6a4558d88125c"} --> <!-- 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>After breaking into our 2027 rankings this offseason, Kadyn Baisden enters his senior year coming off one of the most productive defensive seasons in Class AAAA. Baisden totaled 99 tackles and 11 tackles for loss in 2025, continuing to establish himself as the leader of the Buccaneers' defense. His move from defensive end to linebacker has proven a natural fit, allowing his athleticism and instincts to take over as he makes plays all over the field. He's also performed well during the offseason camp circuit with strong testing numbers, further boosting his recruiting profile. Another productive fall should put Baisden firmly on the radar of D3 programs while allowing him to earn looks from the D2 level as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21239338/69d3036a34065cbbb6e90115u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4558d881400"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1908696"],"_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-6a4558d88142f"} --> <!-- 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>Greyson Wyland enters his senior season as one of the top returning defenders on Buckhannon-Upshur's roster after earning a spot among our Top 30 linebackers in the 2027 class. While teammate Kadyn Baisden often garners much of the attention, Wyland has quietly developed into a productive and dependable presence at the second level. He plays with a physical edge, moves well laterally, and has a knack for finding the football. As he looks to cap off his high school career, Wyland has an opportunity to boost his recruiting stock and establish himself as a quality D2 or D3 prospect with another strong season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22843408/693492825041c9a57411def0u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4558d881443"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2063850"],"_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-6a4558d881464"} --> <!-- 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>Jacob Frye enters his senior season as the proven leader of Buckhannon-Upshur's passing attack after hauling in 892 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. The lengthy outside target has emerged as one of the better big-play threats in Class AAAA, using his reliable hands, ball-tracking ability, and vertical speed to create explosive plays down the field consistently. Frye also picked up an offer from WV Wesleyan this offseason, and another productive year should only increase his recruiting attention. With a new quarterback taking over, his experience and playmaking ability will be critical to the Buccaneers' offense. He has the potential to become a statewide breakout name this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Frye10Jacob/status/2002924671059292442","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Frye10Jacob/status/2002924671059292442 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2055013"],"_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-6a4558d881487"} --> <!-- 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>Easton Metzner is poised for an even larger role in Buckhannon-Upshur's offense this season as the Buccaneers break in a new starting quarterback. The 2027 WR remains on our watch list, but the opportunity is there for him to make a significant jump with a strong senior campaign. Metzner is a lanky outside receiver who can stretch the field with his speed, consistently creating separation on vertical routes while tracking the football naturally over his shoulder. His ability to win early off the line of scrimmage makes him a dangerous deep threat, and continued development as a route runner underneath could elevate his game even further. If he and Buckhannon-Upshur's new quarterback develop chemistry early, Metzner has a chance to emerge as one of the more productive receivers in Class AAAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19452293/69d98691933e76020e59a7a0u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4558d881497"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624464"],"_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-6a4558d8814b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the state's top specialists returns to Buckhannon-Upshur in 2026 with 2028 K Aiden Snyder. After connecting on 16/19 extra points and 5/6 field goals last season, Snyder has established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in West Virginia and currently ranks among our Top 5 kickers in the 2028 class. His consistency gives the Buccaneers confidence whenever points are on the line, making him a valuable weapon. Snyder enters the season as one of the top returning kickers in Class AAAA and a specialist college coaches should know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/snyder_aiden2/status/1984643186057187384","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/snyder_aiden2/status/1984643186057187384 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavier Robinette - 2027 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chance Morgan - 2027 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eli Watkins - 2027 RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tobias Marple - 2027 OL/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody McDaniels - 2027 QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->