Summersville – Last season was an uncharacteristic one for the boys from Summersville.
Hindered somewhat by youth and inexperience, Nicholas County stumbled to a 3-6 record.
This year the Grizzlies hope to convert last year’s lumps into the experience needed to make a return visit to the playoffs.
“We kinda feel like we have experience on both sides of the ball. They come to practice and it is a fun group to coach,” head coach Gene Morris said. “They work and you don’t have to get onto them about their effort. Their effort has always been there and that is a great sign. Even though they have experience, this group feels like they have to keep working to make themselves and the team better. That is their character and their make-up.”
The experience for Nicholas County starts up front on the offensive line where senior three-year starter Bryson Phipps anchors things at the left tackle position.
“We are looking to make a playoff run this year,” Phipps said over the summer. “Our core group was still learning last year, but most of those guys are back this year.”
Junior Roman Milam is back at center and Josh Cunningham will play guard between Milam and Phipps.
“It all starts up front with Roman and he is kind of our point guy,” Morris said. “We will lean on him for that communication across the line.”
The right side will be made up of Austin Altizer at guard and Levi Hellems at tackle.
“Everyone of those guys were starters last year on the offensive line for us,” Morris said. “Every football game will come down to blocking and tackling. We have some experience in those areas and there is no substitute for experience.”
Add in the fact that the Grizzlies will have a new face under center, experience up front will be crucial.
“We really will lean on those front five to help us, especially in the run game. With a quarterback that doesn’t have a lot of experience on the varsity level, it helps him to not have to audible and those types of things,” Morris said.
Brycen Morriston and Dawson Brown are battling it out for the starting quarterback spot and both are showing promise.
“Both guys have moved the ball pretty effectively in the scrimmages. Right now I don’t see a clear front runner. It is still a battle, but we will sit down after the scrimmages and see which guy we want to get the majority of the snaps as we prepare for week one,” Morris said. “I am really proud of how both young men are responding as far as the team goes. They are both congratulating each other and working to make our team better. That speaks volumes about their character.”
While one will be named the starter for week one, Morris still feels both players will see some snaps throughout the season.
“I don’t want the one that goes out there to feel like if he makes a mistake he is going to get a quick hook. I don’t want him to feel that kind of pressure,” Morris said. “I do want the other one to keep his competition juices flowing and not feel like he is the backup and won’t see any playing time. I would look for both of them to get some snaps this season.”
Nicholas County will also be strong at the skill positions led by the hard-driving, downhill running of junior Kaleb Clark.
“Kaleb is our running back along with Alex Pritt, Eden Addair and Wes Hill. They all need to get some touches,” Morris said. “We don’t want to be one dimensional at all. We have the ability to run it and throw it. That keeps your offense balanced and the opposing defenses guessing.”
J.P. Girod will provide more blocking muscle at the tight end, but he will also provide a big target for the young quarterbacks. Morris feels getting touches to Girod will be crucial to his team’s success.
Nicholas County also returns nine players on the defensive side of the ball.
“Girod will also be our Mike-linebacker and he will be the guy that gets us in the right spots. We will lean on him,” Morris said.
In the Grizzlies’ 3-4 defense, Gavin Blankenship and Tyler Timmerman will be the two outside guys on the three-man front. Jacob Keene and Noah Hawkins will see action at the nose guard position.
“Our outside linebackers will be Kaleb Clark and Alex Pritt. At the Will-linebacker will be Aaron Johnson and Kendall Giles. Both of them blend in and they can also flip over to the strong side if needed.,” Morris said. “Jaxson Morriston will start at free safety and Ralph Hamrick will play strong safety. Brayden Shorts and Wes Hill will be at the corners.”
With 20-plus years as the head coach, Morris shows excitement for the game and is excited to get the season started.
“It’s still fun. Once that goes away, it’s time to step away and let someone else take over. Right now I am enjoying what we are doing and the guys are responding well,” Morris said. “As long as that continues to happen and the guys work hard, they are great to be around. I kinda feed off of their enthusiasm for the game. They want to get after it, produce and have a successful season. They really want to do well this year.”
Schedule
1 08/27/21 7:00PM A – OAK HILL –
2 09/03/21 7:30PM A – SHADY SPRING –
3 09/10/21 7:00PM H – WYOMING EAST –
4 09/16/21 7:00PM H – LINCOLN –
5 10/01/21 7:00PM A – MIDLAND TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL –
6 10/08/21 7:00PM A – BRAXTON COUNTY –
7 10/15/21 7:00PM A – WESTSIDE –
8 10/22/21 7:00PM H – INDEPENDENCE SENIOR –
9 10/29/21 7:00PM H – JAMES MONROE –
10 11/05/21 7:00PM H – PIKEVIEW –
Roster
# Pos. Name Gr Ht Wt Avg
2 RB-LB Coltin Browning 10 5’7 155
3 WR-LB Jaxson Morriston 10 6’0 155
4 RB-LB Alex Pritt 11 6’1 160
5 QB-DB Brycen Morriston 11 5’6 150
6 TE-LB Kendall Giles 12 5’9 175
7 QB-DB Noah Hines 9 5’3 110
8 QB-DB Sailor McKinney 9 5’7 115
9 WR-DB Landen Martin 10 5’6 130
10 RB-LB Kaleb Clark 11 5’10 180
11 WR-DB Brayden Short 12 5’10 160
12 QB-DB Dawson Brown 11 6’3 160
14 QB-DL River Legg 9 5’5 210
16 WR-DB Ralph Hamrick 12 6’1 160
18 RB-DL Tyler Timmerman 12 5’8 190
21 WR-DB Wes Hill 11 5’9 170
22 WR-DB Talen Leggett 9 5’5 120
23 WR-DB Alex Groves 9 5’8 120
24 WR-DB Grayson Kesterson 10 5’5 125
25 RB-DB Eden Addair 11 6’0 145
26 DB-WR Landon Hanna 10 5’9 125
28 RB-LB Mason Grose 9 5’8 155
32 RB-LB Jeremiah Bailes 9 5’5 135
33 TE-LB Jacob Hamilton 9 5’9 160
37 WR-DB Jacob Spinks 12 5’6 140
42 RB-LB Bryson Lee 10 5’10 150
44 RB-LB Aaron Johnson 12 5’6 170
47 TE-LB Gavin Blankenship 11 6’2 210
48 TE-LB JP Girod 12 6’0 225
50 DE-OL Isaiah Griffin 12 5’7 215
51 OL-DL Noah Hawkins 11 5’9 225
52 OL-DL Bryson Phipps 12 6’0 270
53 OL-DL Roman Milam 11 6’1 275
55 OL-DL Evan Sweeney 9 5’7 200
61 OL-DL Austin Altizer 11 6’2 245
63 OL-LB Robert Goodenow 11 5’9 190
64 OL-DL Tyler Garcia 11 6’1 195
67 OL-DL Kevin Barnett III 10 5’11 225
68 OL-LB Trey Marks 11 5’8 185
70 OL-DL Josh Cunningham 11 5’9 225
72 OL-DL James Williams 9 6’1 250
74 OL-DL Jacob Keene 12 6’4 395
75 OL-DL Colton Phares 10 5’9 245
76 OL-DL Brady Smith 9 5’9 180
79 OL-DL Levi Hellems 11 6’2 275
81 WR-DB Darren Leggett 10 5’7 135
85 WR-DB Anthony Winchell 12 5’11 135
