8 receptions 106 yards

2027 TE Preston Heatherington was a major factor in one of the better AAAA Week 1 matchups, helping Wheeling Park pull out a thrilling 28-21 win over Parkersburg South with 8 receptions for 106 yards and some great blocks. Heatherington will be heavily involved in a new-look Patriots offense that will lean on the passing game more than it has in recent seasons, and he immediately showed why he’s one of the top tight ends in the class. I liked the creativity in how Wheeling Park used him, particularly from a wing alignment where they moved him across the formation as a blocker and hit him in the flats as a receiver with some timely throws up the seams. His physicality as a blocker also stood out, and he has clearly made strides in that area with an emphasis from the coaching staff to use him more in that aspect as a senior.

BREAKOUT CANDIDATE

2027 TE/WR Preston Heatherington Preston Heatherington 6'3" | 200 lbs | TE Wheeling Park | 2027 State WV returns as Wheeling Park’s leading receiver from a season ago after finishing with 350 yards and a touchdown as a junior. While we project him as a tight end at the next level, he’ll continue giving the Patriots a bigger target in the passing game this fall. With several changes around the offense and an increased emphasis on throwing the ball, Heatherington should see plenty of opportunities to expand his production. Don’t be surprised if his name is mentioned much more often by the end of his senior season.

2027 Wheeling Park TE/WR Preston Heatherington Preston Heatherington 6'3" | 200 lbs | TE Wheeling Park | 2027 State WV will be a name to watch on varsity this fall. The Patriots need pass catchers to step up this season, and they’ll look to Heatherington to be one of them. He showed a lot of potential as a sophomore on JV and varsity spot duty, and should showcase that more this year.

Here’s what we recently said about Heatherington in our 2027 Rankings New Additions article:

“Wheeling Park’s  Preston Heatherington Preston Heatherington 6'3" | 200 lbs | TE Wheeling Park | 2027 State WV  debuts as our #3 TE prospect in the 2027 class after showing a lot of potential on the Patriots’ JV team last season. He’ll be moving to receiver on varsity as a junior and may slide over to that position in the rankings after we see his film this season. Heatherington has the frame to grow into a true tight end, depending on how his body develops over the next two years, and he showed some good things at that position on JV. His fluidity as an athlete at receiver this fall will be telling for his future as a prospect, and which spot he fits in best.”

Wheeling Park’s Preston Heatherington Preston Heatherington 6'3" | 200 lbs | TE Wheeling Park | 2027 State WV debuts as our #3 TE prospect in the 2027 class after showing a lot of potential on the Patriots’ JV team last season. He’ll be moving to receiver on varsity as a junior and may slide over to that position in the rankings after we see his film this season. Heatherington has the frame to grow into a true tight end, depending on how his body develops over the next two years, and he showed some good things at that position on JV. His fluidity as an athlete at receiver this fall will be telling for his future as a prospect, and which spot he fits in best.