Week 1 Thursday Night Rapid Reactions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Night one of the 2026 season is officially in the books after a long, grueling wait, and Thursday night gave us plenty to talk about. From statement wins by preseason contenders to teams that immediately made us rethink our preseason expectations, the opening week answered some questions while creating plenty of new ones. Here are our biggest takeaways from Thursday night's action across West Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WEEK ONE INSTANT ANALYSIS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">South Charleston is BACK, folks.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We expected the Black Eagles to take care of business in convincing fashion tonight over a rebuilding Nitro team with a lot of new players this season, but South Charleston was flat out dominant. We knew they were loaded on both sides of the line, and that showed up big time tonight as they celebrated their 100th season of Black Eagles football. I tuned out at halftime with a lopsided 48-0 halftime score and excited to see how the Eagles look against stiffer competition that's coming soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the SC offensive linemen were road graders and paved the way for an explosive rushing attack that saw 2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1309691' first='Malakhi' last='Hope'] score a hat trick of touchdowns in the first half. Hope is bigger, stronger, and faster in his junior year as he's physically developed since breaking out as a freshman at Riverside. His speed and elusiveness were on display early and often during a monster first half for the junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 RB/EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1309678' first='Trevaun' last='Tyson'] is ranked as our #1 EDGE in his class but is showcasing his athleticism this season and getting touches out of the backfield on offense, and looks the part with several big runs tonight as well. He was a force tonight on defense, where he's a known commodity and led the charge up front that gave the Nitro offense, breaking in a new group of linemen, fits all night. 2028 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1700973' first='Miles' last='Terry'] and Dakari Okafor-Dogan also flashed and were key reasons why the Nitro offense couldn't get anything going. The Black Eagles had 7 sacks in the first half, which topped their total from all of last season combined. They're loaded up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score:</strong> South Charleston 67 Nitro 0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mingo Central proved why they are a Top 5 Team in AA this Year.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was one of our potential upset picks, but the Miners quickly shut that down tonight. They cruised to a 21-0 halftime lead and held a talented Tug Valley offense in check.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Miners are a deep team overall with great depth for an AA program, and that really affected the Panthers tonight in a Mingo County rivalry game. Mingo was able to keep their linemen fresh with a different group on offense and defense, which quickly wore down Tug Valley's line, playing a lot of players both ways. The Miners got great pressure on Tug Valley QB [player_tooltip player_id='1154693' first='Preston' last='May'] and prevented their offense from getting anything going or seriously threatening to score. All three levels of the defense executed nearly perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense for Mingo Central, their depth also stood out. They got several athletes involved in the running game with every back ripping off at least one chunk play of their own. Running backs [player_tooltip player_id='908261' first='Jace' last='Coleman'], [player_tooltip player_id='897590' first='Davion' last='Joplin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2132039' first='Luvante' last='Kenney'] all made some nice plays on the ground and kept each other fresh. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1687819' first='Jamere' last='Knuckles'], who's one of the best in the state, managed the game well and showed why he's a true dual-threat quarterback. He's a big, physical runner with speed of his own that he's known for and hit on some timely throws to WR Evan Marcum, who's a new player to know for the Miners and has the size and athleticism to be a matchup issue for Mingo's opponents this season. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1687818' first='Terrindez' last='Bryant'] showcased his blazing speed on some explosive runs and catches tonight and is a lightning-in-a-bottle type of player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have the Miners as our early #5 team in AA, but tonight they made a case to climb even higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score:</strong> Mingo Central 37 Tug Valley 0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Cameron Dragons can make it to Charleston again.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay-Battelle has clearly taken a step back after their title run last season, and it was expected after losing key playmakers and all five of their offensive linemen. They'll bounce back and hopefully get starting QB [player_tooltip player_id='1881425' first='Corey' last='Coen'] healthy, but Cameron dominated on defense tonight until their offense got humming. I was very impressed by the Dragons tonight on both sides of the ball as they got more comfortable on offense as the game went on and wore down an undersized Clay-Battelle front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Cameron ATH/QB [player_tooltip player_id='2067954' first='Soier' last='Reed'] was excellent in his first start behind center and ripped off some tough, hard runs and made some timely throws in the passing game to keep the Cee Bees' defense honest. He had big shoes to fill in replacing Kason Angel and will have a big year for the Dragons as he keeps developing as a passer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1583907' first='Talen' last='Brown'] showed tonight why we are high on him in his class as a Top 100 player in the rankings. He'll be utilized a lot more in their running game and showed he can flare out and play receiver as well. With his size, instincts, and athleticism, look for Brown to bounce back from an injury-shortened sophomore season and be one of the best players in Class A in 2026. 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154892' first='Marshall' last='Holland'] got going in the second half with a pair of third-quarter rushing scores and will have another big year again as a senior with some teammates who can spell him this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score:</strong> Cameron 42 Clay-Battelle 0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Oak Glen is Different but the Same.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's an oxymoron, but the Golden Bears have a new look this season on offense with new head coach Derrick Stickles taking over. After leaning on the run game last season behind a big, physical offensive line, Oak Glen has opted for more of a spread look in 2026. They have the pieces to execute that offense and executed well for the first game of the season on both sides of the ball. They were playing with extra motivation and emotion after the sudden passing of junior athlete Carter Pesacreta, on top of it being a rivalry game between two Hancock County foes. Expect to see Oak Glen back in the playoffs again in 2026 if they stay healthy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='892650' first='Maddox' last='Bowen'] operated the offense well and has plenty of experience in a spread offense in the past. His dual-threat ability is a good attribute to run the spread, and he flashed his arm and scrambling ability tonight. Bowen did a nice job keeping plays alive when flushed and kept his eyes down the field to find open receivers. He's a confident player and good athlete who presents a lot of issues for defenses on their schedule this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I thought 2027 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='2220836' first='Cameron' last='Carter'] was excellent and Bowen's favorite target tonight. He has length and speed that got him consistent separation and some big plays in the passing game. Carter is under the radar in the state but will quietly be one of the better athletes in the Northern region of Class AA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 WR/K [player_tooltip player_id='2326198' first='Chase' last='Hartung'] also proved he could take on a much larger offensive role this year. We expected him to, and he quickly showcased some playmaking ability in the passing game. Hartung is athletic and has an imposing 6'4 frame that will cause a lot of defenses matchup issues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 RB/LB Jacob Everett is someone at the top of our rankings in his class and had a big night on the ground and at linebacker. He's big and physical but also has the speed to break off some long runs at times as well. I thought their new group of offensive linemen did a nice job tonight in their first game together and filled in well for their graduates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score:</strong> Oak Glen 35 Weir 0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Wildcats are the Kings of Logan County.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Man Hillbillies are in a transition year with a young roster and a small Class A school, but Logan did what they were supposed to and dominated. It was 32-0 at halftime in favor of the Wildcats as they cruised to an easy opening night victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 QB [player_tooltip player_id='2234894' first='Greg' last='Williams'], in his WV debut after transferring in from Belfry (KY), did a great job in his first start. He's known as an athlete but made some big throws with his arm tonight to prove he's not just a runner. Williams and the Wildcats will need to continue that high level of play against the better teams on their schedule, but this was a great first step for him behind center for Logan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone knows 2028 TE/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1309692' first='Lucas' last='Lambert'] by now, and he made his usual highlight plays. His versatility at his size is why he has offers from Marshall and Navy, as he scored at receiver and out of the backfield in the running game in the first half before I moved on to more competitive games to watch. Lambert is a special athlete who's ranked #2 in 2028 by us for a reason, and expect a lot more from him as the year goes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The size advantage from Logan was extremely evident tonight and not just along the line of scrimmage. The Wildcats have some big skill athletes as well besides Lambert. 2028 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='2267437' first='Bentley' last='Williamson'] led the charge at running back tonight and is big and athletic in his own right at 6'3 200. He also had a pick-6 on defense in the first half and is a name to watch out for this season for Logan. Man transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1154922' first='Jake' last='Endicott'], who traded sides and is suiting up for the Wildcats this year, is also a big and athletic prospect to know and made some big plays on both sides of the ball as a TE and DL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zo Murphy is a 2028 WR who will get on a lot of radars this season if he gets his film posted more this year. He's a quick and twitchy athlete who complements Logan's big athletes well and adds a different dimension to the offense. They get creative with how they get the ball in his hands as an explosive athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score:</strong> Logan 39 Man 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>North Marion will be fine.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You might see the 17-0 halftime score against rival East Fairmont, whom they've taken care of easily lately, and think something's off before the weather delayed the game. The Huskies were playing shorthanded up front with some starters out and youthful players as replacements that was evident. I thought East Fairmont played well up front and took advantage of a young Huskies' front. The Bees got some good pressure on defense that made new quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1700914' first='Kolson' last='Brown'] uncomfortable at times before settling in. Turnovers reared its ugly head at times as well that will get corrected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was sloppy early on for North Marion before getting a field goal and a late touchdown before halftime. 2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='2348070' first='Jacob' last='Kucish'], who wasn't on my radar before tonight, emerged as one of the Huskies' top playmakers. He made some big plays as a receiver and took several snaps behind center as well, and North Marion relied on his veteran experience in key moments while delivering every time. Keep an eye on him this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll update this game as it finishes due to the weather and is currently ongoing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another delay... North Marion wins it 24-0. Offense was sloppy for sure, but credit to both defenses tonight. East Fairmont played well on defense, and 7 of those points were from a pick-6 by #5 for North Marion. Both teams will need to get healthy to show their true colors this season, but there was plenty to like about both sides tonight, and correctable mistakes were made. The Bees can win some games this year, and North Marion will rebound and learn from this like they always do under head coach Darran Hays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score:</strong> North Marion 24 East Fairmont 0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->