Offensive linemen usually don’t get recognized for what they do.
But this year is different. Winfield senior Caleb Kuhl is captain of the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AA all-state football team, who was released Friday.
Kuhl earned an 85 percent blocking grade offensively and was no slouch on defense, recording over 100 tackles for the Generals.
The remaining players were Independence sophomore Alex Blankenship, who paved the way for another semifinal appearance by the Patriots. Roane County senior Jacob Banner recorded 84 percent run blocking and 92 percent pass blocking on offense, and 50 tackles (21 for loss) and three sacks on defense. North Marion senior Nathan Miller was part of a tough offense that was just one point away from winning the state title. And Philip Barber senior Keaton McDermott had 24.5 pancake blocks and 35 tackles as the Colts won the playoffs for the first time in program history.
Quarterbacks are Scott University’s Matt Fry (160-of-238 passes, 3,068 yards, 37 passing TDs, 7 rushing TDs) and Fairmont senior-junior Brody Whitehair (177-of-277 passes, 2,903 yards). yards, 36 touchdowns, 475 rushing yards, and six scores). Ground).
Weir senior Corey Lyons (179 carries, 1,157 yards, 23 touchdowns) and Independence senior Tyler Lynxweiler have taken the running back spots.
The first-team wideouts are Scott junior Carson Bullinger (78 catches, 1,296 yards, 249 rushing yards, 19 total touchdowns, 3 interceptions on defense), seniors RJ Hairston of Bluefield and Nitro and freshman Malachi Thompson (57 catches, 1,264 yards, 20 touchdowns).
The kicker was Nicholas County senior Johan Villasenor, while the utility spots were taken by Herbert Hoover junior Dane Hatfield and Clay County senior BJ Williams (78 catches, 1,053 yards, 17 receiving touchdowns). He also recorded a single score each on rushing, punt return, and kick return (and three interceptions on defense).
After leading North Marion to the Super Six as a quarterback and linebacker, North Marion senior linebacker Casey Minor (57.5 solo tackles, 66 assists, 8 lost tackles, 1 fumble recovery) is a first-team player. He became the skipper of the defense.
Winfield junior Toby Lafley (over 100 tackles), Chapmanville junior Elijah Pridemore (132 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 INTs), Independence senior Derrick Hypes, senior Phillip Barber. Nate Halber (school record 128 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks on defense, plus 1,232 yards rushing and 21 TDs on offense) is the remaining first-team “helper”.
Up front, Wayne senior Jackson Damron (second tackler, leading rusher), Fairmont senior Trevor Bigelow (55 tackles, eight for a loss) and Frankfort senior Hayden Nester (26 solo tackles) , 22 assists, 3 TFL) earned a spot. defense line.
The defensive backs are Fairmont senior Cannon Dinger (11 interceptions), Independence senior Trey Bowers, Winfield junior Tre Tanner (7 INTs, 15 pass breakups, 5 total TDs), and North Marion senior Landon. – Fly (73 tackles, 9 INTs, 7 passes). Breakup, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pick 6).
East Fairmont’s Ian Cruikshanks is a good punter (42.5 yards per kick) and a good quarterback (109 of 198 for 1,646 yards, 18 touchdowns, 354 yards and 15 TDs on the ground) .
Super 6 MVPs Fairmont senior Dylan Hours (80 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 3 return TDs, 40 yards per punt, 1,063 yards rushing, 567 yards receiving, 27 TDs on offense) and Roane County senior Brandon. -Richardson (82 tackles, 11 for loss) rounds out the first team as a defensive utility.
Weir senior Malachi Stromile is a utility player and captain of the second-team offense.
Nitro junior Josh Moody and Clay County junior Noah Collins are the quarterbacks. North Marion senior Aaron Hoffman, Winfield senior K-Juan Pearson and Frankfort junior Tyrik Powell are the running backs. North Marion junior Brock Martin and Liberty Harrison senior Jenson Dodd took the wide receiver spots.
The front line of second-team offensive linemen includes Herbert Hoover senior Cole Johnson, Bluefield junior Jayden Francisco, Mingo Central senior Chaz Wayne, and Lewis County senior Chaz Wayne. There’s a certain Tyler Carson, Weir senior Anthony Zorbini.
Point Pleasant junior kicker Alex Schrader and East Fairmont junior utility Dom Fantasia round out the second-team offense.
Fairmont senior utility Gavin Michael is a second-team captain on defense.
Second-team defensive linemen are Poca senior Tony Belcher, Herbert Hoover senior Zach Grier and North Marion junior Landon Cowger. The linebacker corps is Scott junior David Fennessy, Roane County junior Lane Watson, Kaiser senior Julian Pattison, Lewis County senior Brayden Carder and Independence sophomore Landon Riddle.
Making up the defensive backfield are Mingo Central senior Malachi Shepard, Bluefield senior Sensere Fields, Lincoln senior Brayden Edgell and Poca sophomore Jackson McClanahan.
Poca junior punter Preston Bonnett and Philip Barber senior utility Kaden Humphries round out the second defensive unit.
Wooden shields in the shape of West Virginia, including the player’s name, school, authorized WVSWA logo, and year of the award recipient, are provided to all-state first-team, second-team, and honorable mention players through the WVSWA. Available from Bear Wood Company. .com or Bearwoodcompany.com