2026 Summer Previews
Get ready for the 2026 West Virginia high school football season with MetroNews Sports Summer Previews.
Join Joe Brocato as he travels across the Mountain State, visiting programs in Class A, AA, AAA, and AAAA to see how teams are preparing for the fall. From championship contenders and returning stars to emerging talent and key storylines, these previews offer an inside look at the players, coaches, and programs that make West Virginia high school football.
Follow along all summer as teams put in the work, build chemistry, and prepare for the 2026 season.
Class A • AA • AAA • AAAA
Coverage from across West Virginia
Exclusive interviews, practice highlights, and season outlooks from MetroNews Sports
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New Timberwolves take over at Spring Valley after 9-win, Class AAA semi run.
Spring Valley has been one of West Virginia's most consistent high school football programs under head coach Brad Dingess, reaching the postseason every year since he took over in 2008. After an impressive run to the 2025 Class AAA semifinals, the Timberwolves enter 2026 with a much different ros...
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Following state runner-up season, Collin Beckner steps in to lead Nitro
After leading one of the best seasons in Nitro High School football history as offensive coordinator, Collin Beckner takes over as head coach of his alma mater with the Wildcats looking to build on a remarkable 12-2 campaign and Class AAA state runner-up finish.
Following the graduation of more ...
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Mays optimistic for improvement, 2nd season since returning to South Charleston
The rebuild is underway at South Charleston.
After taking over just weeks before the 2025 season, head coach Donnie Mays now enters his second year back with the Black Eagles after a full offseason to establish the culture and foundation he believes the program needs to return to playoff content...
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Coach Edwards sees potential in his Patriots entering 31st year as GW head coach
George Washington is knocking on the door—and the Patriots want to kick it down.
After matching the program's best record in more than a decade with a 9-3 season and a third state quarterfinal appearance in five years, George Washington enters 2026 looking to make an even deeper postseason run.
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'We want to compete gold': HH Huskies to field a talented and deep roster in 26
The goal is no longer just getting to Wheeling—it's finishing the job.
After two state championship appearances and eight playoff victories over the last four seasons, Herbert Hoover enters 2026 with one objective: bringing home the program's next state title.
Junior quarterback Peyton Grigsby r... -
Clay-Battelle Builds on Best Season in Program History
The bar has never been higher at Clay-Battelle.
After winning a program-record 12 games and advancing to the first state championship game in school history, the Cee-Bees enter 2026 determined to prove last season was only the beginning.
Quarterback Corey Coen returns to lead an offense that av...
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Colts guard against complacency after deepest postseason run in school history
History has been made—but the Colts believe there's another level to reach.
After back-to-back Class AA quarterfinal appearances, Philip Barbour broke through in 2025 with a program-record 10 wins and the school's first-ever state semifinal appearance. Now, head coach Nick Mayle is challenging h...
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St. Marys seeks continued success as Jodi Mote enters 25th year as head coach
Momentum is building in St. Marys.
After doubling their win total from four victories in 2024 to an 8-2 regular season and a Class A playoff appearance in 2025, the Blue Devils enter 2026 determined to take another step forward.
Head coach Jodi Mote begins his 25th season leading the program an...
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'The standard is the standard' at Williamstown with many key players returning
The streak lives on—and Williamstown believes bigger things are ahead.
After overcoming a 1-4 start to extend the program's playoff streak to 26 consecutive seasons, the Yellowjackets enter 2026 with an experienced roster determined to return to championship contention.
Junior quarterback Breck...
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Challenging schedule awaits the Dragons they seek more post Thanksgiving games
The standard remains high in Cameron.
After reaching the Class A state championship game in 2024 and the semifinals in 2025, the Dragons enter the 2026 season determined to make another deep postseason run.
Head coach Tim Brown believes the program's continued success starts with strong develop...
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Younger Patriots taking steps forward in offseason practices at Wheeling Park
A new era begins at Wheeling Park.
After back-to-back Class AAAA quarterfinal appearances, the Patriots turn the page following the graduation of Curt Warner Award winner Brennan Wack. But head coach Chris Daugherty believes this year's team has the talent and experience to remain among the stat...
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North Marion Builds Depth for Another Class AAA Playoff Run
Consistency has become the standard at North Marion.
The Huskies have reached at least the state quarterfinals in each of the last six seasons, and head coach Daran Hays believes another talented roster is ready to continue that tradition in 2026.
North Marion returns one of its deepest offensi...
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Title defense continues for Wheeling Central Catholic with several key returners
The standard hasn't changed at Wheeling Central Catholic.
Fresh off the program's 13th state championship, the Maroon Knights are focused on one goal—winning it again.
Head coach Mike Young returns an experienced core led by third-year starting quarterback Nico Kusic, standout linebacker Trenton... -
After 5th playoff win in 3 years, Tucker County seeks lengthy postseason run
Tucker County has become one of West Virginia's most consistent Class A football programs, and the Mountain Lions aren't planning to slow down in 2026.
After four consecutive playoff appearances and five postseason victories over the last three seasons, head coach AJ Rapp returns a veteran offen...
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RCB strives to keep 'leveling up' after Class AAA quarterfinal appearance
Confidence is growing in Clarksburg.
After snapping a four-year playoff victory drought with an upset win over Fairmont Senior, Robert C. Byrd enters the 2026 season believing it can take another step forward.
Head coach Austin Scott has increased the Flying Eagles' win total in each of his fir...
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Doddridge County reloads after 12-win season, run to Class AA semifinals
The standard hasn't changed in West Union.
After a 12-1 season and a trip to the Class AA semifinals in their first year after reclassification, Doddridge County enters 2026 looking to continue one of the state's most consistent football programs.
Head coach Bobby Burnside welcomes back a veter...
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'This Play' mentality follows Morgantown into Class AAAA state title defense
The championship celebration is over. The focus is already on the next play.
Fresh off the program's first Class AAAA state championship in 20 years, Morgantown enters the 2026 season determined to defend its crown without dwelling on last year's success.
Head coach Sean Biser returns one of th...
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Elkins looks to compete on 'statewide level' after 7-win season
Elkins believes its best football is still ahead.
After reaching the playoffs for a second straight season and posting the program's first seven-win campaign in 13 years, the Tigers return 19 of 22 starters from last year's postseason team.
Head coach Chad Ware enters his third season with a ve...
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Challenging schedule awaits Fairmont Senior in second season under Mark Sampson
After an 8-2 regular season and a No. 3 seed in the 2025 Class AAA playoffs, Fairmont Senior enters 2026 with unfinished business.
Head coach Mark Sampson and the Polar Bears are determined to build on last season's success after a first-round playoff exit ended their season earlier than expecte...
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Expectations are elevated at University after 9-win season, run to AAAA semis
The expectations are rising on Baker's Ridge.
After a breakthrough 9-4 season and the program's deepest playoff run since 2009, University enters 2026 with one of the most experienced and explosive offenses in Class AAAA.
Quarterback Harrison Helbig returns after throwing for more than 3,100 ya...
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Veteran backfield, younger linemen to lead Bridgeport into 2026 season
After a 25-game winning streak and three losses in the last three seasons, Bridgeport enters 2026 with unfinished business.
The Indians' Class AAA title defense came to a sudden end in last year's state quarterfinals, but a veteran backfield and a hungry roster have their sights set on another c...