Monday, October 2nd, 2023 at 3:50 AM
Lootpress
  • News
    • All
    • Business
    • Consumer
    • Crime
    • Entertainment
    • Featured
    • Health
    • History
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Pennsylvania News
    • Politics
    • South Carolina News
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
    • West Virginia News
    This cover image released by Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records shows “Autumn Variations” by Ed Sheeran. (Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records via AP)

    Review: Ed Sheeran’s ‘Autumn Variations’ is a beautifully honest exploration of adult despondency

    Apple says it will fix software problems blamed for making iPhone 15 models too hot to handle

    Powerball Jackpot reaches $1.04 billion

    Matt Gaetz

    Gaetz says he will seek to oust McCarthy as speaker this week. ‘Bring it on,’ McCarthy says

    Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

    Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

    Welch VFD to host Haunted Hallow Hayrides

    Prep Football: Cast Your Vote for the Week 6 Player of the Week!

    The LOOTPRESS Pet of the Week is Ziggy!

    Arclin Acquires Belle Chemical Company

    Trending Tags

    • Raleigh County
    • Fayette County
    • Mercer County
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National
      This cover image released by Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records shows “Autumn Variations” by Ed Sheeran. (Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records via AP)

      Review: Ed Sheeran’s ‘Autumn Variations’ is a beautifully honest exploration of adult despondency

      Powerball Jackpot reaches $1.04 billion

      Looks to Die For: Spirit Halloween Announces its Most Exciting Looks for 2023

      WVU vs TCU: How to watch, stream online, kickoff time

      Last living suspect in 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur indicted on murder charge

      Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at age 90, sources tell the AP

      Bruce Springsteen postpones all 2023 tour dates until 2024 as he recovers from peptic ulcer disease

      Capito Introduces Bill to Provide First Responders Critical Training and Resources to Prevent Overdose Deaths

      Sheetz to Celebrate National Coffee Day with Free Nitro or Cold Brew Coffee

    • Politics
      Matt Gaetz

      Gaetz says he will seek to oust McCarthy as speaker this week. ‘Bring it on,’ McCarthy says

      MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $5.8 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY, SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

      McCarthy rejects Senate spending bill while scrambling for a House plan that averts a shutdown

      Tom Willis Announces Candidacy for West Virginia State Senate District 15

      MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $8.8 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH SERVICES ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

      Warner says every eligible candidate, including Donald Trump, has a right to be on the ballot

      Senate passes Manchin, Romney bipartisan resolution to reinstate dress code

      Capito Introduces Bill to Provide First Responders Critical Training and Resources to Prevent Overdose Deaths

      7 candidates have qualified for the second Republican presidential debate. Here’s who missed the cut

    • Pennsylvania News
    • South Carolina News
    • West Virginia News
      Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

      Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

      Welch VFD to host Haunted Hallow Hayrides

      The LOOTPRESS Pet of the Week is Ziggy!

      Arclin Acquires Belle Chemical Company

      Raleigh County Parks and Recreation, Lake Stephens announce The Halloween Costume Vault and Donation Sites

      West Virginia American Water Awards 15 Bottle Filling Stations to Organizations Across the State

      “Bloomberg Strikes Again”

      Clarksburg JATC to pay $150,000 to settle EEOC sex discrimination charge

      America in Bloom

      Lewisburg, WV Receives National Recognition from America in Bloom

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • WV Tourism
      • Charleston CVB
      • Huntington CVB
      • Morgantown CVB
      • Visit Southern WV Tourism
        • Visit Southern WV
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • Community Calendar
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Business
    • Consumer
    • Crime
    • Entertainment
    • Featured
    • Health
    • History
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Pennsylvania News
    • Politics
    • South Carolina News
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
    • West Virginia News
    This cover image released by Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records shows “Autumn Variations” by Ed Sheeran. (Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records via AP)

    Review: Ed Sheeran’s ‘Autumn Variations’ is a beautifully honest exploration of adult despondency

    Apple says it will fix software problems blamed for making iPhone 15 models too hot to handle

    Powerball Jackpot reaches $1.04 billion

    Matt Gaetz

    Gaetz says he will seek to oust McCarthy as speaker this week. ‘Bring it on,’ McCarthy says

    Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

    Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

    Welch VFD to host Haunted Hallow Hayrides

    Prep Football: Cast Your Vote for the Week 6 Player of the Week!

    The LOOTPRESS Pet of the Week is Ziggy!

    Arclin Acquires Belle Chemical Company

    Trending Tags

    • Raleigh County
    • Fayette County
    • Mercer County
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National
      This cover image released by Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records shows “Autumn Variations” by Ed Sheeran. (Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records via AP)

      Review: Ed Sheeran’s ‘Autumn Variations’ is a beautifully honest exploration of adult despondency

      Powerball Jackpot reaches $1.04 billion

      Looks to Die For: Spirit Halloween Announces its Most Exciting Looks for 2023

      WVU vs TCU: How to watch, stream online, kickoff time

      Last living suspect in 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur indicted on murder charge

      Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at age 90, sources tell the AP

      Bruce Springsteen postpones all 2023 tour dates until 2024 as he recovers from peptic ulcer disease

      Capito Introduces Bill to Provide First Responders Critical Training and Resources to Prevent Overdose Deaths

      Sheetz to Celebrate National Coffee Day with Free Nitro or Cold Brew Coffee

    • Politics
      Matt Gaetz

      Gaetz says he will seek to oust McCarthy as speaker this week. ‘Bring it on,’ McCarthy says

      MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $5.8 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY, SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

      McCarthy rejects Senate spending bill while scrambling for a House plan that averts a shutdown

      Tom Willis Announces Candidacy for West Virginia State Senate District 15

      MANCHIN ANNOUNCES $8.8 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH SERVICES ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

      Warner says every eligible candidate, including Donald Trump, has a right to be on the ballot

      Senate passes Manchin, Romney bipartisan resolution to reinstate dress code

      Capito Introduces Bill to Provide First Responders Critical Training and Resources to Prevent Overdose Deaths

      7 candidates have qualified for the second Republican presidential debate. Here’s who missed the cut

    • Pennsylvania News
    • South Carolina News
    • West Virginia News
      Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

      Oceana man accused of entering a home and sexually assaulting a married woman

      Welch VFD to host Haunted Hallow Hayrides

      The LOOTPRESS Pet of the Week is Ziggy!

      Arclin Acquires Belle Chemical Company

      Raleigh County Parks and Recreation, Lake Stephens announce The Halloween Costume Vault and Donation Sites

      West Virginia American Water Awards 15 Bottle Filling Stations to Organizations Across the State

      “Bloomberg Strikes Again”

      Clarksburg JATC to pay $150,000 to settle EEOC sex discrimination charge

      America in Bloom

      Lewisburg, WV Receives National Recognition from America in Bloom

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • WV Tourism
      • Charleston CVB
      • Huntington CVB
      • Morgantown CVB
      • Visit Southern WV Tourism
        • Visit Southern WV
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • Community Calendar
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts
No Result
View All Result
Lootpress
No Result
View All Result

Prep Football: Indy’s Price has vaulted to front of Kennedy race

Tyler Jackson by Tyler Jackson
Sunday, November 20, 2022 11:14 pm
Independence's Judah Price (10) celebrates after a win against Fairmont Senior Friday night in Coal City (Heather Belcher/Lootpress)

Independence's Judah Price (10) celebrates after a win against Fairmont Senior Friday night in Coal City (Heather Belcher/Lootpress)

It seems improbable there would be back-to-back Kennedy Award winners from the same school as it’s only happened twice (Capital 2014-15 and Martinsburg 2003-04), but Independence appears to be on the cusp of breaking that mold.

It’s a worthwhile conversation to have since Kennedy Award ballots hit inboxes across the state Sunday afternoon.

The player in question this year is Judah Price, the Independence running back tasked with filling the shoes of last year’s Kennedy Award winner in Atticus Goodson.

There’s an argument to be made Price hasn’t only filled Goodson’s shoes but surpassed the bar he set. He’s topped Goodson’s single-season rushing yardage record and rushed for more touchdowns than Goodson did last year. For good measure he shattered the state record for most points in the regular season with 300, 24 more points than the previous record. Dating back to 1940, which is as far back as the WVSWA has record for single-season scoring leaders, no player in the state has scored as many points as Price in the regular season.

Even more impressive? He did it in nine games where as Ethan Payne, the previous record holder, scored his 276 points in 10 games.

To build a case for a Kennedy candidate you have to pick apart the weaknesses and enforce the strengths.

Strength of Schedule

This is probably the weakness in Price’s candidacy. Independence had a good schedule on paper prior to the season, one that featured two semifinal teams from a year ago in addition to playoff teams Shady Spring, Liberty and Nicholas County. For good measure Oak Hill, a triple-A school, was added in place of the two Class A schools dropped from the schedule.

The schedule didn’t materialize as a competitive one.

Shady, Liberty and Poca sported a combined record of 7-23 with neither team winning more than three games.

During the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl season there was a nine-game stretch where they played the Giants, Chargers, Cardinals, Panthers, Commanders, 49ers, Broncos, Cowboys and Bears, producing a 9-0 record over that span. Only one of those teams made the playoffs that year (Carolina) and five of the other eight were so bad they secured Top 10 draft picks.

All of this to say sometimes really good teams play bad teams but it doesn’t take away from their dominance or how good they project to be. Plenty of other players throughout the history of the sport in the state have played schedules much worse, yet Price’s numbers have outclassed them.

Rising to the Occasion

Building off the last point, when Independence has played playoff teams, Price has risen to the occasion. He rushed for 393 yards and seven touchdowns in two games against Bluefield, 212 yards and four touchdowns against Nicholas County and 140 yards and three touchdowns against Fairmont Senior. That’s 745 yards and 14 offensive touchdowns against playoff teams this season.

The performance against Fairmont is the one that stands out on numerous levels. For starters Independence was dominant against the program that’s become the standard in Class AA. The Polar Bears have won three of the last four state championships and have played in the title game five of the last six years. Behind Price’s efforts, the running clock was instituted in the fourth quarter of Indy’s 42-7 win against them Friday in Coal City. It was the worst margin of defeat for Fairmont since Bridgeport beat it 42-7 on Oct. 31, 2014.

But Price has another edge.

It’s not often acknowledged, but when filling out ballots most Kennedy voters look at or cite offensive production. That’s fine as it’s easily the most quantifiable. After all, there are great defensive players that won’t be in the discussion because opposing teams shy away from them. It’s easier to say “X rushed for this many yards” and make a believer out of somebody than to say “X only had so many interceptions because they didn’t throw his way” and generate that same effect.

Price and the rest of the Indy secondary fell victim to the latter during the regular season as only one defensive back in the Indy secondary intercepted a pass during the regular season. The playoffs have yielded different results. Price has intercepted three passes this postseason with two coming against Fairmont Senior. The third was returned 81 yards for a touchdown that gave Indy a 34-0 lead against Fairmont.

The Competition 

There are strong Kennedy candidates from around the state, though Price is the most realistic candidate at the Class A or AA level. He’s been the best player in double-A this season and hails from a team that’s proven itself with a run to the title game last year. He even gained notoriety in that title game with an interception and long touchdown run. The other realistic Kennedy candidates hail from Class AAA schools and the four legitimate contenders are still playing. Gavin Lochow (Huntington), Ezra Bagent (Martinsburg), Robert Shockey (Parkersburg South) and Jeremiah Riffle (Hurricane) are the other four players that will see their names slotted atop ballots when they return.

Bluefield’s Mookie Collier is the player I like to use as an example when it comes to Kennedy voting and the dynamics surrounding it. When Collier won the award in 2017 he did so largely with an impressive postseason showing. Jeremy Dillon (Mingo Central) and Jadon Hayes (Huntington) were strong contenders for the award up until the semifinals. Dillon threw two interceptions in a home loss to Fairmont Senior and Hayes rushed for 22 yards in a semifinal loss. Collier rushed for 294 yards against Bridgeport that weekend, winning one of the tightest Kennedy races in recent history.

Lochow, last year’s runner-up, has thrown 32 touchdown passes this season, Bagent is over 35 himself with over 2,700 passing yards, Riffle has 2,050 yards rushing and 22 total scores and Shockey has thrown for 2,434 yards with 29 touchdown passes to supplement the 1,025 yards and 13 scores he’s accumulated with his legs.

Circling back to the point about Collier, I’ve always believed the semifinal is where Kennedy Award cases are stamped. Furthering that belief is the fact Ethan Payne (2019) and Will Cole (2008) are the only two Kennedy Award winners in the last 20 years to win the award without their teams advancing past the quarterfinal.

Two of those players will be eliminated this weekend as Lochow and Huntington host Bagent and Martinsburg while Hurricane and Riffle travel to Parkersburg South.

What does this mean for Price? Despite his terrific season to this point, he needs to maintain that pace with ballots due Saturday, Nov. 26 at noon at the time of writing. That may also work in his favor as noon is 90 minutes before the Class AAA games kickoff. Price, win or lose, will have completed his semifinal game against North Marion and his numbers are superior to most of his counterparts.

Through 11 games he’s rushed for 2,117 yards and 43 touchdowns and has scored 340 points, putting him 20 away from breaking the record Albert “Big Sleepy” Glenn set 100 years ago of 359 in 1922. That combined with the three playoff interceptions and the margin of victory against Fairmont build a case that may push him over the top. The only player to break the regular season scoring record during their time and not win the Kennedy was Paul Mitchell of Stoco in 1971. Curt Warner broke Mitchell’s record in 1978 with 263 points, winning the Kennedy. Warner held the record until Payne broke it in 2019 when he won the Kennedy.

Essentially Mitchell is the only record holder to not win the award. The kicker? Stoco, where he played, consolidated with Sophia to become Independence where Price plays and 51 years later he’s hoping to avoid the same fate suffered by one of his predecessors.

I’ve always held my ballot until after the semis in an effort to get the complete picture. If you’re voting on the best player you should see them play the best competition they’re going to see and three playoff games is as good of a sample size as you’re going to get.

If I had to turn in a ballot right now I’d go Price, Lochow and Bagent. Unless the deadline is pushed back it’s likely to remain that way.

Email: tylerjackson@lootpress.com and follow on Twitter @tjack94

ShareTweetSend
Tyler Jackson

Tyler Jackson

Don't Miss

File Photo by Heather Belcher
Local Sports

The Deep Post: Beavers past and present excel, Gold Stars and Silver Linings

6 hours ago
File Photo by Heather Belcher
Golf

Prep Golf: Region 3 looks to make strong showing in Wheeling

6 hours ago
Local Sports

Prep Football: Cast your vote for the Week 6 Kanawha Valley Player of the Week!

10 hours ago

Sign up for our weekly email recap of the week's top stories and be entered to win a $25 Visa gift card weekly.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


Thank you for choosing Lootpress as your news source.

Top Stories

  • All
  • News

Prep Football: Cast Your Vote for the Week 6 Player of the Week!

October 1, 2023

Prep Football: Cast your vote for the Week 6 Kanawha Valley Player of the Week!

October 1, 2023
Independence's Judah Price (10) celebrates after a win against Fairmont Senior Friday night in Coal City (Heather Belcher/Lootpress)

Prep Football: Indy’s Price has vaulted to front of Kennedy race

November 20, 2022

$300,000 scratch-off winner sold in West Virginia

September 28, 2023
File Photo by Heather Belcher

The Deep Post: Beavers past and present excel, Gold Stars and Silver Linings

October 1, 2023
Load More

Community Calendar

Recent News

File Photo by Heather Belcher

The Deep Post: Beavers past and present excel, Gold Stars and Silver Linings

October 1, 2023
File Photo by Heather Belcher

Prep Golf: Region 3 looks to make strong showing in Wheeling

October 1, 2023
This cover image released by Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records shows “Autumn Variations” by Ed Sheeran. (Gingerbread Man Records/Warner Records via AP)

Review: Ed Sheeran’s ‘Autumn Variations’ is a beautifully honest exploration of adult despondency

October 1, 2023

Lootpress brings you the latest news in Southern West Virginia and around.

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Recent News

File Photo by Heather Belcher

The Deep Post: Beavers past and present excel, Gold Stars and Silver Linings

October 1, 2023
File Photo by Heather Belcher

Prep Golf: Region 3 looks to make strong showing in Wheeling

October 1, 2023
  • About
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2023 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National
    • Politics
    • Pennsylvania News
    • South Carolina News
    • West Virginia News
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Barbour County
    • Barbour County
    • Berkeley County
    • Boone County
    • Braxton County
    • Buchanan County
    • Cabell County
    • Clay County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Jackson County
    • Kanawha County
    • Lewis County
    • Logan County
    • Mason County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Randolph County
    • Summers County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Birth Announcements
    • Pet of the Week
    • WV Tourism
      • Charleston CVB
      • Huntington CVB
      • Morgantown CVB
      • Visit Southern WV Tourism
  • Obituaries
  • Editorials
  • Community Calendar
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Write For Us
    • Contact Us
  • Email Alerts

© 2023 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist