2026 Team Preview: Fairmont Senior Polar Bears

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 SEASON RECAP</h2>   Biggest Losses: LB [player_tooltip player_id='1087022' first='Parker' last='Bigelow'] (TR) - ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1326535' first='Rudy' last='Carrillo'] (TR) - OL DaeShaun Floyd - OL Triston Ramsey - OL/DL Jaevin Papalii - ATH Jason Walker - ATH Tarran Boda - WR/DB Gabe Kubasky   Fairmont Senior finished the 2025 season with an 8-3 record, but the year ended much sooner than the Polar Bears expected after a first-round playoff upset to Robert C. Byrd. For a program that measures success by deep postseason runs and state championship contention, the early exit left a bitter taste heading into the offseason. Fairmont Senior has built one of the state's most consistent winning traditions, making last November's finish an uncommon one by its standards. That disappointment has only added motivation as the Polar Bears look to return to the championship conversation and make sure history doesn't repeat itself in 2026.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 SCHEDULE</h2>   8/28: at Herbert Hoover 9/3: at Robert C. Byrd 9/11: at Preston 9/18: at North Marion 9/25: vs University 10/2: at Buckhannon-Upshur 10/16: vs Bluefield 10/23: vs Elkins 10/30: vs Bridgeport 11/6: vs East Fairmont   2025 Record: 8-3 (Playoffs Round One) 2026 Prediction: 7-3   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 OUTLOOK</h2>   Last season's early playoff exit has provided plenty of motivation for a Fairmont Senior program that expects championships. The Polar Bears will have to replace several key seniors and account for a couple of offseason transfers, but the expectation around the program hasn't changed. A talented senior class, combined with a handful of newcomers, gives Fairmont Senior the pieces to reload rather than rebuild. As one of the state's premier programs year after year, the Polar Bears should once again find themselves in the thick of the Class AAA title race with another roster capable of making a deep postseason run.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</h2>    RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 Fairmont Senior OL Tyson White has developed into one of the state's top offensive linemen and will be a major reason for the Polar Bears' success in the trenches this fall. He anchors an offensive line expected to be one of the team's strengths, bringing the size, athleticism, and ability to set the tone up front. White's offseason has only added to the excitement surrounding his senior year, as his recruitment continues to take off following a strong camp circuit. With college interest climbing, he'll enter the season as one of the premier offensive line prospects in West Virginia while leading a unit that Fairmont Senior will lean on throughout its push for another deep playoff run.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 Fairmont Senior DL King Abercrombie emerged as one of the biggest risers in the state's senior class after putting together an impressive junior season. He gives the Polar Bears a disruptive presence up front, using his quick first step and physical style of play to create issues in the trenches. Abercrombie's wrestling background shows up in the way he battles at the point of attack, and his versatility allows Fairmont Senior to move him around the defensive front when needed. With another offseason of development behind him, he'll be counted on to anchor the defensive line as the Polar Bears make another push toward the top of Class AAA.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 Fairmont Senior OL Cooper Keener enters his senior season with plenty of momentum after a strong junior campaign and an impressive offseason. He'll play an important role in the trenches for a Polar Bears team that expects to be a strength on both sides of the ball. Keener continued to raise his stock over the summer, earning offers from WV Wesleyan, Glenville State, and Fairmont State while showing why college programs are taking notice. His size, strength, and physical approach make him a key piece of Fairmont Senior's offensive line.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 Fairmont Senior LB Jared Rhodes made an immediate impact after transferring from Bridgeport last season, bringing the toughness and physical style that has become synonymous with the Indians' program. Now entering his second year with the Polar Bears, he'll once again be counted on to help anchor the linebacker corps as a downhill defender capable of playing either inside or outside. Rhodes consistently finds his way to the football and sets a physical tone for the defense, making him an important part of Fairmont Senior's front seven. With another year of experience in the system, he'll be one of the leaders of a defense expected to keep the Polar Bears among the top contenders in Class AAA.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   2027 Fairmont Senior DL Alex McGinnis gives the Polar Bears a strong, physical presence in the middle of the defensive line. He does the hard work that often goes unnoticed, occupying blockers, clogging running lanes, and allowing the players around him to make plays. McGinnis sets the tone with his strength at the point of attack and gives Fairmont Senior a dependable interior defender against the run. As one of the veteran leaders up front, he'll play a major role on the defense again as a senior.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   The Polar Bears found exactly what they needed under center when Anthony Smith transferred in from Pennsylvania early last season. The 2028 quarterback quickly transformed the offense, throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field through the air while creating plays with his legs forces defenses to account for every aspect of the offense. With a full offseason in the program and another year of experience, Smith gives Fairmont Senior one of the state's most prolific quarterbacks to operate their offense as the Polar Bears set their sights on another run at the Class AAA title.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Even though Christian Hrapchak was limited to just six games because of injury last season, he still showed why he's one of the more intriguing young playmakers in the Fairmont Senior program. The 2028 RB/ATH emerged as a reliable option in the Polar Bears' backfield whenever he was on the field, flashing the versatility to contribute in multiple ways. With a healthy season ahead, Hrapchak is in line for a much larger role as Fairmont Senior looks to replace production on offense. More game film will only help showcase his potential, but there's already plenty of reason to believe he'll be one of the top names to watch in West Virginia's 2028 class over the next two seasons.     TRANSFER TO KNOW   Competition in the backfield should be one of the more interesting storylines to watch this fall for Fairmont Senior, especially with the addition of 2028 RB Isaac Barksdale from Robert C. Byrd. Barksdale showed encouraging growth during his sophomore season and now steps into a Fairmont Senior program that has a strong track record of developing skill talent. He'll compete for the starting role, but regardless of who takes the first snap, Barksdale figures to see plenty of opportunities throughout the season. His arrival gives the Polar Bears another capable playmaker and adds quality depth to a backfield that should be one of the team's strengths.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IsaacBarksdale0/status/2066963086615920971 </div></figure>     BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Special teams will remain in good hands with 2028 K Ben Smith returning for his sophomore season. Smith stepped into the varsity role last fall and delivered consistent production, converting 47/53 PAT attempts while connecting on his lone field goal attempt. He also made an impact on kickoffs, averaging 52 yards per kick and recording 14 touchbacks to help Fairmont Senior consistently win the field position battle. As he continues to gain experience and develop, Smith gives the Polar Bears a dependable specialist and another valuable piece to the team.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   Fairmont Senior's offense received another boost with the addition of 2029 WR Elijah Holmes, who transfers in after an impressive freshman season at Robert C. Byrd. Holmes gives the Polar Bears another explosive option in the passing game, bringing the ability to make defenders miss and turn routine touches into explosive plays. Surrounded by an experienced offense and one of the state's top quarterbacks, he'll have an excellent opportunity to continue developing and taking a step forward as a player. Holmes is one of the more exciting young playmakers in Class AAA and should be a name Polar Bear fans become very familiar with over the next three seasons.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   The future of Fairmont Senior's defensive front received another boost with the addition of 2029 DL Isaac Elliott from Robert C. Byrd. Elliott put together a strong freshman season and now joins a program where he'll have the opportunity to contribute early while learning from an experienced group of upperclassmen. He should see meaningful snaps this fall, giving the Polar Bears added depth in the trenches while continuing to develop his game. With several veteran linemen set to graduate after the season, Elliott is well positioned to become an important piece of Fairmont Senior's line for years to come, with the versatility to also factor into the offensive front as his career progresses.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Fairmont Senior has a promising young playmaker waiting in the wings with 2029 RB Lynex Williams. Williams is an explosive athlete who brings plenty of speed and big-play ability to the backfield, giving the Polar Bears an intriguing option. He runs with good vision and balance, showing the ability to find running lanes and create extra yards once he gets into the open field. As his role continues to grow, Williams has the tools to develop into an important contributor and another offensive weapon for Fairmont Senior to utilize over the next several seasons.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1793391' first='Eli' last='Martin'] - 2027 WR/DB   Ryder Moran - 2027 TE/LB   Taymarr Silvers - 2027 OL/DL   [player_tooltip player_id='1700923' first='Dominick' last='Trotta'] - 2028 WR/DB   Grant Nuzum - 2028 WR/DB   [player_tooltip player_id='1716442' first='Chuckie' last='Armstrong'] - 2029 WR/DB

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2025 SEASON RECAP

Biggest Losses: LB Parker Bigelow Parker Bigelow 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB/LS North Marion | 2027 State WV (TR) - ATH Rudy Carrillo Rudy Carrillo 5'8" | 204 lbs | ATH Morgantown | 2027 State WV (TR) - OL DaeShaun Floyd - OL Triston Ramsey - OL/DL Jaevin Papalii - ATH Jason Walker - ATH Tarran Boda - WR/DB Gabe Kubasky

Fairmont Senior finished the 2025 season with an 8-3 record, but the year ended much sooner than the Polar Bears expected after a first-round playoff upset to Robert C. Byrd. For a program that measures success by deep postseason runs and state championship contention, the early exit left a bitter taste heading into the offseason. Fairmont Senior has built one of the state's most consistent winning traditions, making last November's finish an uncommon one by its standards. That disappointment has only added motivation as the Polar Bears look to return to the championship conversation and make sure history doesn't repeat itself in 2026.

2026 SCHEDULE

8/28: at Herbert Hoover
9/3: at Robert C. Byrd
9/11: at Preston
9/18: at North Marion
9/25: vs University
10/2: at Buckhannon-Upshur
10/16: vs Bluefield
10/23: vs Elkins
10/30: vs Bridgeport
11/6: vs East Fairmont

2025 Record: 8-3 (Playoffs Round One)
2026 Prediction: 7-3

2026 OUTLOOK

Last season's early playoff exit has provided plenty of motivation for a Fairmont Senior program that expects championships. The Polar Bears will have to replace several key seniors and account for a couple of offseason transfers, but the expectation around the program hasn't changed. A talented senior class, combined with a handful of newcomers, gives Fairmont Senior the pieces to reload rather than rebuild. As one of the state's premier programs year after year, the Polar Bears should once again find themselves in the thick of the Class AAA title race with another roster capable of making a deep postseason run.

COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW

Tyson White

WV #33

OL/DL #7

HEIGHT 6'5"

QB/LB

HEIGHT 6'2"

WEIGHT 205

POS QB/LB

CLASS 2028

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Anthony Smith

State: West Virginia

School: Fairmont Senior

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Christian Hrapchak

RB/ATH

HEIGHT 5'11"

WEIGHT 195

POS RB/ATH

CLASS 2028

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Christian Hrapchak

State: West Virginia

School: Fairmont Senior

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Isaac Barksdale

HEIGHT 5'10"

WEIGHT 195

POS RB

CLASS 2028

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Isaac Barksdale

State: West Virginia

School: Fairmont Senior

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Ben Smith

K/P

HEIGHT 5'9"

WEIGHT 170

POS K/P

CLASS 2028

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Ben Smith

State: West Virginia

School: Fairmont Senior

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Elijah Holmes

ATH

HEIGHT 5'8"

WEIGHT 170

POS ATH

CLASS 2029

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Elijah Holmes

State: West Virginia

School: Fairmont Senior

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Issac Elliott

WV #27

DL #5

HEIGHT 6'2"

WEIGHT 300

POS DL

CLASS 2029

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Issac Elliott

State: West Virginia

School: Fairmont Senior

TRANSFER TO KNOW

The future of Fairmont Senior's defensive front received another boost with the addition of 2029 DL Isaac Elliott from Robert C. Byrd. Elliott put together a strong freshman season and now joins a program where he'll have the opportunity to contribute early while learning from an experienced group of upperclassmen. He should see meaningful snaps this fall, giving the Polar Bears added depth in the trenches while continuing to develop his game. With several veteran linemen set to graduate after the season, Elliott is well positioned to become an important piece of Fairmont Senior's line for years to come, with the versatility to also factor into the offensive front as his career progresses.