Expectations are rising on Miner Mountain after Mingo Central's breakout 2025 season.

The Miners finished 9-3 and advanced to the Class AA quarterfinals, tripling their win total from the previous season. Now, head coach David Jones believes his team is ready to take another step with its sights set on making a run toward the state championship game.

Senior quarterback Jamere Knuckles returns after accounting for nearly 2,800 yards of total offense and 30 touchdowns last season. He'll be joined by 1,000-yard rusher Bam Coleman, while Luvante Kenney and Davion Joplin add depth to the Mingo Central backfield.

Defensively, Taegan Hackney returns after piling up 170 tackles as a junior and enters the season with a chance to become Mingo Central's all-time leading tackler.

Hear from Jones and sophomore lineman Griffin Beckett as the Miners discuss building on last year's playoff breakthrough and why expectations are higher entering 2026.

Can Mingo Central turn a quarterfinal appearance into a championship run? Watch our full preseason preview.