By Stephen Smoot
One of the byproducts of successful seasons and earning the opportunity to compete for a state title includes accolades for individuals whose performance has been recognized at the conference and/or state level.
In what turned from a rebuilding into a reloading year, the Pendleton County High School volleyball team clawed and scrapped their way through a challenging season. Just as last season, the squad took the fight to the other team by setting up the athletes on the front line for precision shots and spikes.
Two seniors earned recognition for setting the table for those plays. Breena Bowers and Emily Poling leapt into the air, dove on the ground, and made big plays by keeping volleys alive. One probably couldn’t tally the punishment they took in doing their part to make sure the team had the best chance to win.
Bowers led the squad with .9 digs per set for a total of 68, followed by Poling with .5, totaling 37. Bowers also placed third on the squad with 38 aces. In receptions, Bowers took 331 to lead the team while Poling placed second with 157.
Bowers and Poling both earned places on the Potomac Valley Conference all-conference squad.
Pendleton County’s football squad also started the season almost as an unknown quantity in state Class A, despite a deep playoff run in 2024. With regular season losses to only Class AA Petersburg and perennial power Tucker County, the team surged into the postseason with an air raid offense and a defense that had a knack for making the biggest plays at the right times.
Colton Roberson earned first team recognition on offense and defense for both the conference and all-state teams. He earned player of the year in the conference and also was named Captain of the Class A all-state team.
Roberson led the team in almost every statistical category except those related to pass receptions. He led the team in passing yards, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns on offense. On defense, he led the team in tackles per game, quarterback sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, and also fumble recoveries.
It must be stated what a rare and remarkable season that is for any football player at any level. It must also be remembered that Roberson is a sophomore.
Accolades also went to three of Roberson’s favorite downfield targets. Travis Owens earned first team for both the PVC and all-state. His height and ability to outleap and outfight opposing players for passes wore out the man-to-man defense of the Class AAA state playoffs qualifier Keyser in a game one win and he never looked back.
Chase Owens earned first team utility offensive player for the PVC and second team all state in the same role. He served as the classic sure-handed “possession receiver,” the player that takes short and middle range passes and then fights for first downs. Britton Lough earned all-conference recognition for his ability to extend defenses downfield and make catches in traffic.
Neither Roberson nor the playmakers he has at his disposal can do much without reliable blocking. The PVC selected Spencer Hartman as a first team offensive lineman with Ty Heavner and Bryce Basagic on the second team squad.
Kammron Redman had his season limited, but not ended, due to injury. He started the year as a can’t miss placekicker and also a strong and reliable running back, but then endured an injury that took him off the offense. Still hampered, he gave his all in placekicking. Redman’s gritty performance earned second team from the PVC and honorable mention.
One of those on defense who evolved into a major playmaker by season’s end was Heavner. He showed when needed, both tremendous patience and the ability to track down the ball and terminate the play. Heavner earned honorable mention all-state for defense. He and fellow defensive end David Noble earned all conference recognition on defense as well.
For football, Roberson completed 194 of 317 passes for 3,664 yards. He also carried the ball 202 times for 1,241. Travis Owens earned his place on the teams as a wide receiver and defensive back, but also has a 35-yard pass to brother, Chase, on his stat sheet.
Chase Owens caught the ball 75 times for 1,140 yards while his brother had 70 for 1,315. Lough pulled in 30 passes for 622 yards. Zac Smith, head coach, repeatedly praised all of his receivers for unselfish play, notably in their willingness to take on defensive players, making key blocks to extend plays or earn first downs and touchdowns.
On defense, Roberson had 154 total tackles, 10.5 for loss and two for sacks. Heavner recorded 110 total tackles, Hartman 109, Chase Owens104, Noble 44, Travis Owens 40, and Wyatt Hoyt with 38. Roberson tallied three interceptions on the season while the Owens brothers and Hartman. each had two.
With neither the volleyball nor the football squad graduating many seniors, both teams should be primed and ready to go even further in 2026.
