Class AAA Playoff X-Factors: 1 Game Changer from Each Team

<p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p>   <p>The 2025 West Virginia high school football regular season has come to an end, and schools have learned their playoff fate. 64 teams will be moving on to the postseason across four classes with one goal on their mind: make it to Charleston. Here is one X-Factor player from each representative school in the playoffs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#1 BRIDGEPORT</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Bridgeport ATH/K [player_tooltip player_id='1155329' first='Gavin' last='Williams'] has put himself in the Kennedy Award conversation for his play at running back this season for the Indians, and is an easy choice for our X-Factor selection. You can plug and play several athletes in the program at running back, and they'd produce big numbers behind the Indians' dominant offensive line and lead blockers in their single-wing system, but Williams has elevated the position this season. In limited action due to lopsided scores, he's rushed for over 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns heading into the playoffs and should easily eclipse the 2,000-yard mark if he stays healthy. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#2 PRINCETON</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The leading candidate in the hunt for the Kennedy Award may just be 2026 Princeton WR/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1096605' first='Brad' last='Mossor']. He's had an excellent senior season for the Tigers in multiple ways with the ball in his hands. Mossor has hauled in 72 passes for 1,100 yards and 9 touchdowns in the receiving game, but has made a huge impact in the running game, at defensive back, and as a returner on special teams as well for the undefeated Tigers, with an additional 24 scores. His electrifying playmaking ability could lead Princeton to its first state title in school history if he continues this high level of play. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#3 FAIRMONT SENIOR</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1616382' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] was the missing link for Fairmont Senior this season after transferring into the program from Pennsylvania early in the season. He'd elevated this version of the Polar Bears to the #3 seed in the AAA playoffs and should have them back in the semifinals again this season. He's a D1 prospect with several FBS offers to date and a promising future for the sophomore gunslinger. Smith has thrown for 2,200 yards and 28 touchdowns, along with 350 rushing yards and 7 more scores. He'll force defenses to cover the entire field and have to account for him in the running game as well, which could propel the Polar Bears to another championship appearance with an upset in the semifinals. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#4 NORTH MARION</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The North Marion program has been very consistent over the past several seasons and has secured the #4 seed in the playoffs largely because of the play of sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='1311022' first='Brian' last='Poindexter Jr']. He's done a nice job of recovering from last season's injury and has returned to form for the Huskies with another big year in 2025. Poindexter had a big game against Oak Hill to cap the regular season with 186 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in rainy conditions, with momentum heading into the playoffs. His quickness and agility will give any defense fits in the postseason as the Huskies hope to reach the semifinals for the third time in four years. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#5 NITRO </strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Nitro WR and WVU commit [player_tooltip player_id='866254' first='Malachi' last='Thompson'] seems like he's flying under the radar this season for the Wildcats as they earn the #5 seed for the playoffs. He may not be putting up his usual video game numbers as a senior in a loaded WR group, but Thompson is still one of the leading receivers in the state with just under 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns to date. If the Wildcats want to make it to the semifinals and beyond, they'll need Thompson to take over games and showcase his dominant potential that he's flashed throughout his career. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#6 SPRING VALLEY </strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1683404' first='Zeke' last='Lewis'] has been a revelation for Spring Valley this season at running back, and he finished the regular season strong with 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. His combination of size and speed will cause issues for opposing defenses in their Wing-T system with a physical downhill running style. Lewis will consistently break first and second contact and fall forward for extra yards, which will be a big benefit late in games and in colder weather conditions in the postseason. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#7 HERBERT HOOVER</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Herbert Hoover RB [player_tooltip player_id='922040' first='Blake' last='Fisher'] is capping off an excellent high school career in his senior season for the Huskies and will make his team a tough out in the playoffs. He was an easy X-Factor pick as their top offensive weapon and a versatile athlete who can be utilized in a variety of ways. Fisher is one of the more dynamic players in the state of West Virginia and will continue to showcase that in the postseason as a rusher and receiver in their offensive system. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#8 GREENBRIER EAST</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Greenbrier East RB [player_tooltip player_id='1865802' first='AJ' last='Godfrey'] has been an excellent addition to the Spartans' program this season and has solidified their running game to balance a potent passing attack. He was the missing piece that helped elevate them to the playoffs this season, and hosting a first-round game against Chapmanville. We don't have any film of Godfrey right now, but we have seen some video of him, and he's a big, physical running back at 5'10 21,0 who can carry the load in the postseason and lead the Spartans to their first playoff win since 1996. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#9 CHAPMANVILLE</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Chapmanville Tigers have had an excellent season with an unblemished 10-0 record, and the emergence of 2026 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1139377' first='Preston' last='Kovach'] at running back has been a big reason why. He was well known for his linebacker play in the past, but has carried the load on offense with 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns as their power back. At 6'2 230, defenses won't want to see Kovach running at them late in the game and in cold weather, especially if he can get healthy. He's still making a big impact on defense as well, with 65 stops, and can be a difference maker on that side of the ball if his health hinders his ability to carry the ball. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#10 WINFIELD</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Winfield Generals have had a quality 2025 campaign and have leaned on 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154881' first='Gannon' last='Boggs'] in the running game to get to the playoffs. They have a balanced offensive attack in their hybrid Wing-T system, but Boggs can consistently get loose for chunk plays. He follows his blockers well and has good vision to find running lanes. Boggs is a quick and shifty runner, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry, and could bust some big plays for the Generals in round one to keep their matchup with Herbert Hoover interesting. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#11 ELKINS </strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Elkins Tigers have turned their program around quickly with a 7-3 record in 2025 and a trip to the playoffs behind the play of 2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1153783' first='Logan' last='Beam']. The Philip Barbour transfer is excelling in their Wing-T system with 1,300 yards and 25 touchdowns in his senior year. Beam is a durable player capable of toting the ball 25+ times a game if needed, with his physical running style and speed to rip off big runs. He'll make an impact on defense as well, and could help the Tigers to a potential round one upset. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#12 CAPITAL</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Capital Cougars are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and have leaned on standout 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1155316' first='David' last='Robinson Jr'] in the process. They're a much different team with him in the lineup as a D1 prospect with multiple offers already to his name. Robinson Jr is a special talent who's capable of leading his team to a round one victory over Nitro, a team they went down to the wire with during the regular season. He'll need a big performance for the Cougars to advance, and we expect him to do just that. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#13 KEYSER</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Keyser has turned things around and gotten back on track in 2025 with a playoff appearance for the first time since 2019. They've leaned on our X-Factor selection in 2026 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1139378' first='Grayson' last='Lambka'], who has been a multi-year standout for the Golden Tornado. They're a balanced offense with several contributors in the backfield, but Lambka can change the momentum of a game quickly with his breakaway speed. If he gets in the open field, there won't be many athletes on the field capable of catching him. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#14 ROBERT C. BYRD</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Robert C. Byrd QB [player_tooltip player_id='1154702' first='Isaiah' last='Heflin'] has solidified the quarterback position for this season and next after coming over from Liberty after consolidation. He's done a nice job in the passing and running game this season for the Eagles, and they'll need him in both facets this week if they want to pull an upset over Fairmont Senior. It'll be a tall task, but Heflin can keep things interesting for a while with his dual-threat ability if he can take care of the ball and manage the game well. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#15 HAMPSHIRE</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hampshire has several potential picks for our X-Factor selection, but they'll need 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1683406' first='Roscoe' last='Dean'] to have a big game this week against a daunting opponent in Princeton. You aren't going to beat the Tigers at their own game, throwing the ball all over the field with the athletes they have at their disposal, which makes Dean a valuable piece to have to slow the game down in the running game and limit possessions if the Trojans want to keep this close at halftime. He has the size and speed to help them sustain drives and keep Princeton's offense off the field. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>#16 PIKEVIEW</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The PikeView Panthers have made the postseason for the first time in 15 years and will have the daunting task of facing #1 Bridgeport in the opening round of the playoffs. 2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='894895' first='Peyton' last='Mounts'] will need to have the best game of his career to keep this game competitive between two teams with a similar style of offense. He's rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns this season as one half of their one-two punch at running back with classmate [player_tooltip player_id='894894' first='Braydon' last='Mullins']. His loyalty to PikeView is commendable, and he's a big reason why they've turned their program around so quickly under new leadership. </p>

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