Senior quarterback James Vincell will have a number of powerful weapons to throw at this season as he leads the Wildcat offense.
By Stephen Smoot
Pendleton County High School’s football squad came within a wildcat’s whisker of the state playoffs last year. Despite dropping the first three games, two against teams among the best in the state, the team continued to battle, improve, develop confidence, and – most importantly – win games.
“Overall, we improved throughout the year,” Zac Smith, Wildcat head coach, explained, adding that “we got several wins in the middle of the season.”
The loss that truly hurt the team came against Petersburg, a game that the coaching staff considered winnable. After that loss, however, came performances that reflected better execution and confidence. Pendleton County’s big comeback win at Moorefield on their senior night late in the season showed what they could accomplish with a complete performance and hopefully provided a glimpse of what the Wildcats will do this year.
Success on the field has helped the team to build depth. Smith said that he expects the number of players to rise into the 30s this year, perhaps having close to 40. This helps to build depth that can help when injuries strike and to prepare for seasons down the road. It also creates added competition for starting roles that improves each individual player and the team as a whole.
Since the end of last season, a number of players have invested in success by training in the weight room. Many programs in the Potomac Highlands region elevate their performance during the season with weightlifting programs between the seasons.
“We’re going to be young up front,” says Smith of his offensive line. Although the squad may “start a senior or two,” most of the positions will feature sophomores. Youth, in this case, does not necessarily translate to a lack of experience. Two of those sophomores, Spencer Hartman and Ty Heavner, gained valuable experience while starting as ninth graders last season.
“We’re not expecting those two to play like freshman or sophomores, but like upperclassmen,” Smith noted. Hartman will take on the crucial center position which requires him to lead and communicate. Of Heavner, Smith said, “Ty is a natural leader, smart, kind, very intelligent.”
Overall, the team looks to emphasize quickness and athleticism on the offensive line, but “use bigger bodies on the defensive line. That’s the game plan going into this season,” Smith shared.
Though the team lost the gritty, tough, and talented Dillon and Dusty Smith to graduation, the strength of the squad remains with the skilled players. That starts with senior quarterback James Vincell.
“The expectations as a senior are there,” explained Smith, who went on to say “to me, his arm talent is second to none in single A football.” The coach predicted that Vincell could throw for 2,000 to 3,000 yards this season, adding “he’s not incapable of that.” The coaching staff is preparing freshman Colton Roberson to play receiver and to serve as the backup for Vincell. Smith said of him that he will “come in and help us right away from what I’ve seen in workouts.”
Tucker Smith, who played in relief of Vincell at quarterback last year, will be “more of a defensive player for us,” stated Smith.
If Vincell does reach that level, it will come with the help of proven talents at wide receiver. “Josiah Kimble, he’s just a super athlete,” said Smith. Kimble brings big play experience and excellent hands to offense, but also stars on the other side of the ball.
Another receiver who made big plays at receiver last year, Corbin Dove, “worked hard in the weight room” in the offseason and the staff is “expecting big things” of him. “He’s only gotten better and stronger,” said Smith. Nick Rhodes, a returning starter “worked equally as hard” and is also expected to help the offense remain potent and powerful in the passing game.
Those who follow Pendleton County football will not be surprised to see Chase Owens as the featured running back this season. Last year, he split time with Dillon Smith in the backfield, but also contributed at the slot receiver position. “I’d like to say I had two of him,” Smith shared. “We’re trying to use him in different roles,” he added. That includes some snaps in the slot receiver position, where he showed tremendous versatility last season.
Two others will see a lot of time in the backfield backing up Owens. The feisty senior Bradey Bowers, who played some offensive line last year, will also run the ball, backed up by junior Kam Redman.
Gabe Harvey, who had an electrifying return for a touchdown against Richwood last year, will continue to star in the kicking game. He showed tremendous consistency last year as a kicker, while also demonstrating game breaking speed as a returner. Expect to see Harvey even more on offense as well.
On defense, Smith explained that “it’s too early to tell about the defensive line.” Senior Ryland Copley and sophomore Bryce Basagic “are two boys that can help us up front,” but others will rotate in until the staff makes a determination.
Owens will stalk the middle of the field at the inside linebacker position, aided by both Will and Tucker Smith, but the coach shared that “we need depth here as well.” Bowers will bring his natural aggressiveness to the linebacker position.
Defensive back questions will wait until summer practice to get final answers as well. Kimble and Dove bring experience from last year. Britton Lough, Roberson, and Travis Owens will likely contribute there, too.
Smith and his staff, which will this year see the addition of Ryan Boggs as offensive coordinator, will focus on execution and discipline. “We had too many breakdowns,” Smith said of the team last year, especially early in the season. He also set a goal of preparing “multiple players for multiple positions,” to give his team more flexibility.
The scheduled first scrimmage game fell through, but that slot may get filled by Mineral County double A contender Frankfort. The second game will see Pendleton County host the double A Berkeley Springs Indians. Smith noted that the hope in scheduling scrimmages always centers on providing a balance between playing challenging opponents and not engaging an opponent so difficult as to produce injuries or deflate confidence.
The Wildcats open at home on Aug. 30 with single A power Greenbrier West, followed by three road games against East Hardy, Petersburg, and Richwood. After a home game against Tucker County and an away matchup against Tygarts Valley, Pendleton County enjoys the last four at home against Pocahontas County, Mountain View, Moorefield, and Cameron.
Smith said that he expects the strength of schedule to be similar to last season.
