2026 Team Preview: Frankfort Falcons

<!-- 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/LB Blake Jacobs - RB/LB Carder Shanholtz - K Rhett Sensabaugh - OL/DL Eli Hesse - OL Carson Feaster - TE Blake Carlile - OL Brodie Grimes - WR Keiton Nester</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankfort proved its first state championship was not a one-year wonder by winning back-to-back Class AA titles in 2025. After many questioned whether the Falcons could repeat following the graduation of a talented senior class from their 2024 championship team, they quickly answered those doubts by reloading and again emerging as the team to beat. Frankfort rolled through another dominant regular season and playoff run before surviving an unforgettable 49-42 thriller over Bluefield in the state championship game. With consecutive titles, the Falcons enter 2026 carrying the same championship expectations while chasing a feat achieved by only a select few programs in West Virginia history, a three-peat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: vs Moorefield<br>9/4: at Hampshire<br>9/11: at Allegany (MD)<br>9/25: vs Northern Garrett<br>10/2: at Mountain Ridge (MD)<br>10/9: at John Marshall<br>10/16: vs Petersburg<br>10/23: at Wahama<br>10/30: vs Independence<br>11/6: vs Keyser</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>14-0 (State Champions)<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>It's hard to look anywhere else for the preseason favorite in Class AA after Frankfort's back-to-back championship runs. The Falcons will face the challenge of replacing key contributors, but that's become part of the expectation inside the program. Reloading is never easy, especially at the AA/A levels, yet Frankfort has consistently found players ready to step into larger roles in recent years. Class AA is as competitive as it's been in the new 4-class system with several programs strengthening their rosters, but the Falcons have earned the benefit of the doubt. Until someone knocks them off, expect Frankfort to be right in the middle of the championship conversation as they pursue a third consecutive state title.</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":["1154895"],"_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>Frankfort has no shortage of playmakers, and 2027 ATH Braydn Tyler developed into one of its most dangerous during the Falcons' second straight state championship run. Tyler piled up 2,184 all-purpose yards, including 1,302 rushing yards on just 102 carries, showcasing the explosive playmaking ability that makes him a threat to score whenever he touches the football. He was equally impactful on defense, recording 43 tackles, four interceptions, and five pass breakups while earning First Team All-State honors and State Championship Game MVP recognition. An athlete with game-changing ability on both sides of the ball, Tyler enters his senior season as one of the premier two-way athletes in West Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20194350/694b0f2ed44564ced1317bd8u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7366337db8d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616382"],"_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>The strength of Frankfort's front starts with 2027 OL/DL Anthony Smith. The 6'3 260 standout anchored the trenches during the Falcons' run to a second straight state championship, totaling 83 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks while consistently controlling the line of scrimmage. Smith plays with a relentless motor and physical edge, battling through blocks and chasing plays from snap to whistle, traits that have become synonymous with Frankfort football. As one of the premier linemen in Class AA, Smith gives the Falcons an alpha presence up front and will again be counted on to lead one of the state's top teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20194534/6935fc64ea0d31db03939eceu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7366337dcf3"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2071211"],"_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>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 ATH Brady Twigg deserves a bigger spotlight this season as Frankfort reloads for another championship run. Twigg quietly became a dependable piece of the Falcons' defense last season, showing the versatility to line up at both corner and safety while giving the defense versatility in the secondary. He has the athleticism to contribute offensively as well, and expect his role to expand in Frankfort's Wing-T offense as a senior. With his first college offers this offseason from Grove City and McPherson, Twigg has the chance to build on his junior campaign and draw even more recruiting attention this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20194388/6961b326b363d92285b80616u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a736d011a59b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624408"],"_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>2028 OL/DL Knox Kimble has already earned a reputation as one of the toughest players in Frankfort's program as an underclassman and expect that to continue the next two years. An All-Potomac selection as a sophomore, Kimble has become a two-way starter and leader in the trenches despite being undersized for the position. He plays with a relentless motor, embraces the physical side of the game, and brings the same hard-nosed mentality on every snap. Kimble's effort and competitiveness consistently outweigh any physical limitations, and don't be surprised to see him earn All-State recognition over the next two seasons as he continues to help anchor the Falcons up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22181474/6912235ff710c1678afe6b07u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7366337df43"} /--> <!-- /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='2079161' first='Gunnar' last='Bradshaw'] - 2027 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jed Evans - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole Shanholtz - 2027 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chase Opel - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brock Love - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parker Morgan - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Twigg - 2027 QB/ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154890' first='Peyton' last='Brittingham'] - 2027 RB/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joshua Armentrout - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carson McBee - 2028 QB/ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->