2026 Team Preview: Mingo Central Miners

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 SEASON RECAP</h2>   Biggest Losses: ATH Aidan Burke - WR/DB Keziah Joplin - DB Donavon Valdelamar - LB Kylar Turner - LB Dylan Mounts - OL LJ Griffey   Mingo Central made one of the biggest jumps in Class AA last season, going from three wins in 2024 to a 9-3 record and a spot in the playoff quarterfinals. Head coach David Jones has done an excellent job breathing new life into the program and quickly changing the trajectory after several tough seasons before he took over in 2023. The Miners made the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2019, and the roster remains in a strong position heading into 2026. With a small senior class last year and plenty of returning talent, Mingo Central has a chance to make another significant jump this fall.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 SCHEDULE</h2>   8/27: vs Tug Valley 9/4: at Westside 9/11: vs Wayne 9/18: vs Independence 9/25: at Wyoming East 10/2: vs Scott 10/16: at Logan 10/23: at Lincoln County 10/30: vs Chapmanville 11/6: at Doddridge County   2025 Record: 9-3 (Playoff Quarterfinals) 2026 Prediction: 8-2   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 OUTLOOK</h2>   The biggest challenge for Mingo Central this year will be replacing Aidan Burke, whose versatility made him the Miners' most important playmakers and is now at Marshall. Outside of that departure, Mingo Central brings back nearly its entire roster while also adding several new faces to the mix. That level of continuity has the Miners excited about what this group can accomplish, and expectations are high entering the season. If the returning talent takes another step forward, Mingo Central has the pieces to make a run to the semifinals and put itself in position to compete for a trip to Charleston.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</h2>    RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 Mingo Central QB Jamere Knuckles quickly established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the class after transferring in from Kentucky last season. Knuckles threw for 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior while adding more than 300 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground, showing the dual-threat ability that makes him difficult to defend. He has the size and physicality to stand in the pocket while also possessing the touch to layer throws and consistently put the ball in good spots. Knuckles can make plays at all three levels as a passer and has the athleticism to hurt defenses when he takes off. With another year in Mingo Central's offense ahead, he has a chance to further establish himself as one of the state's top 2027 quarterbacks and lead the Miners far in the playoffs.      RETURNING STANDOUT   Mingo Central has a proven leader in the middle of its defense with 2027 LB Taegan Hackney. A four-year starter, Hackney has been productive every season of his career and should leave the program as its all-time leading tackler if everything goes right. He piled up 170 tackles and 16 TFLs as a junior, showing just how consistently involved he is in every down from his middle linebacker spot. Hackney plays with a physical edge and a high motor, constantly finding his way around the football. He's one of the most important returning pieces on a Mingo Central defense that should remain a major strength in 2026.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 Mingo Central RB Jace Coleman emerged as one of the Miners' top offensive weapons during his junior season, rushing for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Coleman's balance and quickness make him difficult to bring down, especially when he gets through the first level of the defense. He consistently keeps his feet through contact and has the burst to turn a small crease into an exploisve play. With another season to build on that production, Coleman has a chance to take another step as one of the best backs in Class AA and put himself in position for more college opportunities.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 Mingo Central WR Terrindez Bryant gives the Miners an explosive playmaker heading into his senior season. Bryant caught 32 passes for 524 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior, showing the quickness and burst to create separation and turn touches into big plays. His speed makes him dangerous both as a vertical threat and when he gets the ball underneath with room to work after the catch. With another year in the offense and an opportunity to take on a larger role, Bryant has a chance to turn solid production into a breakout senior campaign in 2026 for the Miners.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Terrindezg/status/2053217630169821318 </div></figure>     RETURNING STANDOUT   Mingo Central has a physical presence returning in the secondary with 2027 DB Davion Joplin. Joplin was highly productive as a junior, finishing with 73 tackles and 7 TFLs as a punisher at safety. He may be a smaller athlete, but that doesn't show up in the way he plays, as Joplin attacks the football and isn't afraid to deliver heavy contact. His aggressive approach and motor make him a valuable and underrated piece of the Miners' defense heading into his senior season.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   A new name to know in the Mingo Central secondary is 2027 DB Keontae Jeffries. The transfer from Pike County Central (KY) adds another talented option to a group that lost several productive defensive backs from last year's team. Jeffries will compete for a starting role as a senior and could settle in at corner, giving the Miners another athletic option on the outside. With a new program and a chance to earn a significant role right away, Jeffries is a player to keep an eye on as he makes his debut in West Virginia.      RETURNING STANDOUT   The middle of Mingo Central's defense features another returning standout with 2027 LB Noah Newsome. After transferring in from Belfry (KY) last year, Newsome made an immediate impact as a junior, finishing third on the team with 94 tackles and adding 10 TFLs. He brings good size and athleticism to the position and has the range to stay involved from sideline to sideline. Once he posts more game film, expect Newsome to garner college interest with the talent to play at the next level.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   There is plenty of athletic upside to work with in 2027 WR/DB Mahryon Corbett after transferring in from Chapmanville. Corbett brings legitimate speed from his track background and now has an opportunity to turn that athletic ability into a bigger football role at Mingo Central. Corbett can provide value at receiver, in the return game, or defensively, giving the Miners another versatile athlete to work into the lineup. He hasn't put together a breakout football season yet, but the physical tools are there for Corbett to become one of the more intriguing surprises on Mingo Central's roster this fall.     BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Look for 2027 DL Owen Harris to take on a much bigger defensive role for Mingo Central this season. Harris saw time on the defensive line and offensive line as a junior, but the Miners expect his role to grow significantly on defense as a senior. His size gives him a strong foundation to handle work on the interior, and a larger workload should give him more opportunities to show what he can do. Harris is an under-the-radar player entering the season, but he has a chance to become a breakout player for the Miners along the defensive front.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 DB Bo Hatfield gives Mingo Central another experienced piece in its secondary entering the 2026 season. Hatfield was productive as a junior with 64 tackles and 6 TFLs, consistently finding his way into the action and showing a willingness to come downhill. He has the athleticism to work in coverage while also being comfortable playing in the box, allowing the Miners to use him in different ways. Hatfield may have flown under the radar last season, but his combination of production and versatility makes him a player worth watching closely as a senior.      RETURNING STANDOUT   A returning starter like 2028 OL Garon Hinkle gives Mingo Central a good piece to build around up front. Hinkle started at right tackle as a sophomore and brings a quality 6'2 frame with good feet for a young offensive lineman. The Miners expect the offensive line to be a strength after relying on several younger players a year ago, and Hinkle's continued development should be part of that progression. He has a good athletic base to work from and could steadily emerge as one of the more notable offensive linemen in Class AA over the next two seasons.      RETURNING STANDOUT   A strong sophomore season put 2028 LB Peyton Parker on the radar as one of Mingo Central's top young defenders. Parker finished with 66 tackles and 11 TFLs, showing the high motor and instincts that allow him to consistently find the football. He was also a standout at our Exposure Series, further showing the ability heading into a big junior year. If he continues building on what he showed as a sophomore, Parker has a chance to become one of the Miners' defensive leaders over the next two seasons.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   Mingo Central added another physical two-way player to its roster with 2028 RB/LB Luvante Kenney transferring in from Logan. Kenney brings experience from a playoff team and should have an opportunity to carve out a significant role on both sides of the ball for the Miners. He's a physical runner who can give Mingo Central another option in the backfield while bringing size and athletic ability to the linebacker position that's always a strength for the Miners. With plenty of talent already returning, Kenney gives the Miners another versatile piece to utilize and will make a major impact in his new program.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2215583' first='CJ' last='Cox'] - 2027 WR   Brayden Mounts - 2027 ATH   Evan Marcum - 2027 WR/DB   [player_tooltip player_id='897588' first='Mason' last='Kinder'] - 2027 WR/DB   Blade Goff - 2027 OL   Corey Rogers - 2028 LB/DL   [player_tooltip player_id='1743477' first='Griffin' last='Beckett'] - 2029 OL   Dalton Paige - 2029 DL

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!

2025 SEASON RECAP

Biggest Losses: ATH Aidan Burke - WR/DB Keziah Joplin - DB Donavon Valdelamar - LB Kylar Turner - LB Dylan Mounts - OL LJ Griffey

Mingo Central made one of the biggest jumps in Class AA last season, going from three wins in 2024 to a 9-3 record and a spot in the playoff quarterfinals. Head coach David Jones has done an excellent job breathing new life into the program and quickly changing the trajectory after several tough seasons before he took over in 2023. The Miners made the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2019, and the roster remains in a strong position heading into 2026. With a small senior class last year and plenty of returning talent, Mingo Central has a chance to make another significant jump this fall.

2026 SCHEDULE

8/27: vs Tug Valley
9/4: at Westside
9/11: vs Wayne
9/18: vs Independence
9/25: at Wyoming East
10/2: vs Scott
10/16: at Logan
10/23: at Lincoln County
10/30: vs Chapmanville
11/6: at Doddridge County

2025 Record: 9-3 (Playoff Quarterfinals)
2026 Prediction: 8-2

2026 OUTLOOK

The biggest challenge for Mingo Central this year will be replacing Aidan Burke, whose versatility made him the Miners' most important playmakers and is now at Marshall. Outside of that departure, Mingo Central brings back nearly its entire roster while also adding several new faces to the mix. That level of continuity has the Miners excited about what this group can accomplish, and expectations are high entering the season. If the returning talent takes another step forward, Mingo Central has the pieces to make a run to the semifinals and put itself in position to compete for a trip to Charleston.