By Rick Ryan, Charleston Gazette-Mail
Through the years, Hurricane has fielded a number of standout linebackers — names like Payton Lunsford, J.T. Cooper, Chris Holsopple, Jonathan Horn, Matt Hartsog and Mike Williams.
But Brogan Brown has done something none of them ever did. He’s been selected as the best linebacker in West Virginia high school football.
Brown, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior and tackling machine, was chosen as the recipient of this year’s Chuck Howley Award as the top linebacker in the state by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
The Howley Award is named after the former Warwood High, WVU and Dallas Cowboys linebacker, the only player from the losing team ever named Most Valuable Player in a Super Bowl (SB V).
Brown thus becomes the first Hurricane football player to receive an individual statewide honor. Previously, no Redskins athlete was selected for the longtime Kennedy, Stydahar or Huff awards, nor any of the positional awards handed out by the WVSWA since 2014.
Jeremy Taylor, who recently stepped down as Hurricane coach, is familiar with all of those names on the program’s all-time list of linebackers, but thinks Brown is at the top of that list.
“They’re all great,’’ Taylor said, “but he is better than all of them, and it’s not even close.’’
Brown racked up 159 total tackles in 11 games this season, 105 of them unassisted stops. Of that total, 14 resulted in lost yardage and three were quarterback sacks. He also returned a fumble 61 yards for a touchdown at Parkersburg.
Taylor said Brown has the perfect composition for a standout player.
“He’s just got the right amount of attitude,’’ Taylor said, “and the right amount of skill set. And he’s hard to stop. He’s willing to do anything it takes.
“He would have played safety if we’d asked, and play it as hard as he could. He’s just a different animal, and he played with an AC separation in his shoulder.’’
Brown, a three-year starter at linebacker, credited several factors for his solid season, which also included a first-team berth on the Class AAA All-State squad.
“The biggest thing is probably paying attention to detail,’’ Brown said, “and knowing the game. Being able to watch film and understand the offense you’re going against helped me. Knowing if they’re a big passing team or a big rushing team, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and being in the right spot at the right time.
“Coaching goes a long way with that, too. The way I was coached got me to where I am today.’’
Brown’s father, Matt Brown, said his son has never been all that interested in accolades or personal recognition. So what motivates Brogan Brown to excel?
“Recognition can take you to a certain way,’’ Brogan Brown said, “but playing the game is what I play football for. Whatever I get out of my playing is where it will take me.’’
Brown intends to play football in college and currently has five offers on the table, four in Division II and one in Division III. Taylor doesn’t understand why Division I programs haven’t come calling.
“Why in the world colleges aren’t knocking down my door is beyond me,’’ Taylor said. “I don’t understand it. I don’t get it. He’s got good speed, he’s athletic. I don’t know why they’re not jumping all over him.
“He’s the best linebacker in the state and there are other guys out there with Division I offers, but I’d take him. There’s not a coach in our conference that wouldn’t take him 10 times over. He can play. He’s what I call an old school player. But COVID killed him last year, not getting a full season in.’’
Brown also contributed mightily to Hurricane’s offense this past season as a versatile fullback and H-back.
Besides some stellar blocking, he carried the ball 36 times for 197 yards and four touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 293 yards and another score.
Brown will receive his award at the 75th Victory Awards Dinner, set for May 1 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston.
