Excitement is high on the campus of Woodrow Wilson High School with the approaching football season.
Head coach Street Sarrett has liked what he has seen in the pre-season and the veteran coach is hoping this will be Beckley’s breakout campaign.
“This group shows up and works hard every day. They are a bunch of competitors and they have a lot of game reps,” Sarrett said. “A lot of young players got some playing time last year and they are giving it their all every day in practice. They have put a lot of time in the weight room and there have been no down days.”
Much of the excitement bubbles around two seniors that form one of the state’s top pitch and catch combos, quarterback Maddex McMillen and Georgetown University commit, Keynan Cook.
“It is their senior year and there are some high expectations for them,” Sarrett said. They are both Beckley kids and they understand what it means to put that uniform on whether it is football, basketball, track or whatever sport. I expect them to have a big year.”
McMillen riddled defenses last season throwing for over 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns. After a summer filled with camps and combines, Sarrett feels bigger things are to come for his signal caller.
Entering high school as a great all-around athlete, McMillen was asked to play quarterback. While Sarrett expected McMillen to be a solid player, the senior gunslinger’s development has even surprised his coach.
“No, I honestly didn’t expect him to be this good. His improvement is night and day from when he started. As a freshman, Maddex was like a cat on a hot tin roof when he was back there,” Sarrett said. “He wasn’t setting his feet when throwing the ball. He has worked hard by going to the camps and doing the things he needed to do to get better.”
“Maddex is one of the better ones that I have seen since I have been coaching. He is special and can do some great things at the high school level and even at the college level if he chooses to play. I look forward to a big year out of Maddex.”
Along with Cook, Woodrow Wilson has speed to burn and is stacked with playmakers.
Nate Grayton, Darmonte Mitchell, Leon Smith and Matt Moore are all interchangeable at the tailback positions, while Tylai Kimble, Bradley Snyder, Elijah Redfern and Elijah Waller provide the speed at the wide receiver position.
Add in 6-foot-6 target Matt Miller and it is easy to see why Sarrett is excited about his team.
“This may be a first here. Mike Miller played left tackle for us last year and now he is playing in the slot at wide receiver and H-back. He has done really well. Mike has really been the surprise of the last five weeks,” Sarrett said.
The offensive line has some youth across the front, but it is still a group that has Friday night game experience.
“You talk about offensive lineman being tight, this bunch is really tight and they work each other every day,” Sarrett said.
Senior James Carter will play right tackle and junior Christian Burks will be beside him at the guard position.
“Junior Bryant Hill stepped in at center last year and played about six games after Luke Reynolds injured a knee. Tyree Fowlkes will be at the other guard and Will Elkins at left tackle.”
Adding depth up front will be freshman Josh Toney, sophomore Charlie Treadway and back-up center Ryan Suggs who Sarrett says has really pushed himself and has come on strong since camp started.
The biggest question mark going into the season for the Flying Eagles comes on defense. Sarrett says his defense has looked really good in the early going.
“Starting up front in the middle we have Demonte Mitchell and Jay Jones. Jay is a tough-nosed wrestler and can stop the run. Mike Miller is playing defensive end. Leon Smith, Tyee Fowlkes, Christian Burks and Will Elkins are down inside and we even moved Matt Moore inside. Matt is one to really watch on the defensive line,” Sarrett said.
Cook and McMillen will play safety, but can also fill in at cornerback. The versatile Bradley Snyder can play safety, corner or even outside linebacker.
“Nate Grayton is playing outside linebacker and Tylai Kimble can move back and forth for us. We have a lot of speed on our defense this year,” Sarrett said. “Redfern and Waller started last year as freshmen and that is a lot of reps in triple-A football. They like covering people and don’t like getting embarrassed. I expect big things out of them.”
Sarrett feels Woodrow Wilson’s versatility will be a big key to the success of his defense.
“What that comes from is these kids are very intelligent in the classroom and in football,” Sarrett said. “They understand it when we talk to them. When you have teams that study, watch Hudl, read their playbooks and ask questions it is a big plus. It makes coaching easier.”
Schedule
1 08/27/21 7:30PM H – RIVERSIDE –
2 09/03/21 7:30PM H – GREENBRIER EAST –
3 09/10/21 7:30PM A – PARKERSBURG SOUTH –
4 09/17/21 7:30PM A – BLUEFIELD –
5 09/24/21 7:30PM H – MORGANTOWN –
6 10/01/21 7:30PM H – PRINCETON SENIOR –
7 10/08/21 7:30PM A – HUNTINGTON –
8 10/15/21 OPEN –
9 10/22/21 7:30PM A – GEORGE WASHINGTON –
10 10/29/21 7:30PM H – OAK HILL –
11 11/05/21 7:30PM A – SOUTH CHARLESTON –
