There is always a little extra buzz in Summersville on Friday nights in the fall.
This year the buzz is even louder.
After a brief stint outside of the postseason two years ago, Nicholas County returned to the playoffs last year and now looks to make a deeper run in 2022.
“We had played a lot of underclassman in that (2020) season after graduating several good kids. We had a good nucleus of seniors, we just didn’t have enough of them,” Nicholas County head coach Gene Morris said. “Now we have a lot of experience back on both sides. We only lost three or four on each side, so they should understand what we are trying to do and what it takes to be successful. That really helps with the chemistry. There is just no substitute for experience, especially in high school football.”
Although Morris will need to find a replacement for four-year starter Bryson Phipps at left tackle, he does have four starters back in the trenches on offense.
“Levi Hellems is back at right tackle and Austin Altizer returns at right guard. Roman Milam is our center and Josh Cunningham will play left guard,” Morris said. “Left tackle is still a work and progress. J.T. Williams has played there and Tyler Garcia will be in the mix as well. It will come down to who can make the adjustments on Friday nights.”
The experienced line helped the Grizzlies pile up over 2,800 yards last year with all-state running back Kaleb Clark accounting for over half of the yards.
“Kaleb was very consistent for us last year and we expect the same this year,” Morris said. “His work ethic hasn’t changed and he is not resting on what he did last year. He wants to be even better.”
Last year, Nicholas County used a two quarterback system with Dawson Brown and Brycen Morriston. Brown was lost over the last half of the season to a shoulder injury, but he is back healthy for his senior season.
“You hear those words that if you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have one. It’s not always that way,” Morris said. “They both have proved they can move the squad and bring different things to the table which opens our playbook more. Right now Brycen and Dawson are still going at it and will only get better as we go.”
“Both of them bring different skill sets, but both of them can run and throw,” Morris went on to say. “It just depends on who is moving the squad and who has the upper hand. I think both of them went into the offseason knowing where they needed to improve. Both of them have done a really good job to get better at each phase of the game.”
To compliment their power rushing attack, the Grizzlies have several weapons to attack teams through the air.
Wes Hill, Jaxston Morriston and Grayson Kesterson will all be big factors in the passing game to go along with a pair of stout tight ends in Gavin Blankenship and Kage Hayhurst.
“Ball control offenses shorten the game and gives you a good chance to win. There are some really good offenses that can score on two or three plays, but we are not really in that situation,” Morris said. “We have to do what we can and that is control the line of scrimmage and control the football.”
Defensively, while Nicholas County has several players back on that side, it does have some gaps to fill at the linebacker position.
“The guys we have in there do have a lot of heart and hustle and they have a good nose for the football. Their football savvy is there,” Morris said. “What will help our youthfulness at linebacker is our guys up front, Blankenship, Hayhurst and Noah Hawkins. They really do a good job of keeping some blocks off of the linebackers and let them make their reads.”
While it will be easy for fans to look ahead, the veteran coach has his players locked in on the basics to take things one game at a time.
“It is going to come down to blocking and tackling. If you can do that better than the other team, your chances of winning are a little better. No. 1 we need to run the football. That way you control the line of scrimmage and control the clock,” Morris said. “Play good defense and eliminate the turnovers. The game is won or lost Monday through Thursday. This group doesn’t allow themselves to make excuses. They know our preparation has to be solid.”
Should the ball bounce their way this year, Morris hopes the experience gained in the first round playoff setback last year will lead to some postseason wins.
“We got into the playoffs last year, but we really weren’t ourselves. We didn’t do what we had done all year and we looked anxious and a bit out of kilter,” Morris said. “I think that all comes from nerves and not being there before. If we have a good year and get back to the playoffs, maybe we can make a little more noise.”
2022 Schedule
08/26/22 7:00PM H – OAK HILL
09/02/22 7:00PM H – SHADY SPRING
09/09/22 7:00PM A – WYOMING EAST
09/15/22 7:00PM A – LINCOLN
09/23/22 OPEN
09/30/22 7:00PM H – MIDLAND TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL
10/07/22 7:00PM H – BRAXTON COUNTY
10/14/22 7:00PM H – WESTSIDE
10/21/22 7:00PM A – INDEPENDENCE SENIOR
10/28/22 7:30PM A – JAMES MONROE
11/04/22 7:00PM A – PIKEVIEW