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 averaged 37 points per game, while senior Caleb Snodgrass and junior Caleb Hall provide a powerful one-two punch in the backfield. Senior Cody Clovis is expected to take on a larger role as one of the team's top playmakers on both offense and defense.

The biggest challenge comes in the trenches, where Clay-Battelle must replace all five starting offensive linemen. Head coach Aaron LaPoe believes a new generation of players is ready to embrace the opportunity and continue the program's championship standard.

The season begins with a marquee showdown against Cameron in the WVSSAC Kickoff Classic, a rematch of last year's Class A semifinal that will be televised by MetroNews Television.

Can the Cee-Bees make another run to Wheeling and return to the Super Six?