Princeton embracing opportunity to follow up state championship season
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Princeton enters the 2026 season in unfamiliar territory — as defending state champions.
In Nathan Tanner's first season as head coach, the Tigers went a perfect 14-0 and captured the first state championship in the program's 102-year history. Now, Princeton must replace several key pieces while embracing the expectations that come with defending its title.
The Tigers lost two of West Virginia's top playmakers in quarterback Chance Barker and MetroNews Player of the Year Brad Mossor. Senior Jake Belcher is preparing to make the move from running back to quarterback, while junior Alex Cox is expected to take on a larger role in the backfield.
Up front, Marshall commit Landyn Moore returns as one of Princeton's leaders after helping the Tigers post a 38-3 record with two Class AAA championship game appearances over the last three seasons.
Hear from Tanner and Moore as Princeton discusses replacing its departed stars, developing the next group of Tigers and responding to the pressure of defending a state championship.
Can Princeton go back-to-back in 2026? Watch our full preseason preview.
Subscribe to MetroNews Television for complete coverage of the 2026 West Virginia high school football season, including preseason previews, highlights, interviews and live Game of the Week broadcasts.
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