Mount View head football coach Maurice Gravely had a good feeling going into last season.
Loaded with solid returning talent, Gravely felt like the Golden Knights had what it took to get to the Super Six in Wheeling.
A 9-1 record in the regular season gave Mount View its first ever home playoff game against Sherman at Vic Nystrom Stadium.
The Golden Knights dispatched the Tide in a tight contest before dropping their quarterfinal game the following week against eventual state champion Ritchie County.
Even though their championship dream was derailed by the Rebels, it was still a banner season for the boys from McDowell County.
“Last year was very exciting for the community and the kids. It was a glorious season,” Gravely said. “People didn’t really expect us to make it to that point. It was a good group of kids that played hard and believed in the process. We had a good group of kids last year and it showed on the field.”
Gravely is now hoping his team can build on the success from last season.
“Last year kind of left a bad taste in our mouth. With all of the talent and the weapons that we had, we felt like we should have been in Wheeling,” Gravely said. “We have taken pride in last season and the kids have come in looking to build on that. We want to believe in ourselves and believe we can reach that goal of getting to Wheeling.”
If the Golden Knights are to make the playoffs and make a deep run, they will have to fill some key spots left by offensive stalwarts, Tony Bell and T.J. Bell, as well as the Haggerty twins Justin and Jason, just to name a few.
“In previous years, we seemed to have more skill guys. Now we have more bigger guys,” Gravely said. “That is not a bad thing. We have good size and that will be the key to the season. If they can bring it together we have chance to be very good.”
Fortunately for Mount View, the treasure chest of skilled athletes is far from empty led by returning senior quarterback Ryan Long.
Long threw for over 1,900 yards and 24 touchdowns last year, while averaging 18 yards per pass.
“Ryan broke onto the scene as a freshman and played like a seasoned veteran. We have worked very hard over the years and he has really put in the work,” Gravely said. “Last year, he was outstanding, but I feel like this will be his banner season.”
Jaylen Hall and Johnathan Huff are both versatile skill guys that Gravely says he can use at several offensive positions.
Hall caught 24 balls last year for 555 yards and five touchdowns. Huff, on the other hand, not only gives Mount View another offensive threat, he is described by his coach as one of the best kickers in the state.
“We do have some people to build around. Some of the other guys got some experience last year, so it is just a matter of getting some more game time experience,” Gravely said. “We know we have some tools. It will just be one day at a time and one game at a time.”
Naturally, like all teams, the key to success for the Golden Knights will come up front and that group will be led by senior Chris “The Animal” Goins.
“Chris is a utility type of guy too. I can use him in different areas. He is strong as an ox and mean as a rattlesnake,” Gravely said, laughing. “We expect some big things from him and he has some schools interested in him. I know he can play at the next level. Chris will be a leader on defense too. He will be hard to handle and you will hear his name a lot this year.”
Mount View also has some other returning players in the trenches alongside Goins.
“We have three or four returning guys that got some playing time on the offensive line,” Gravely said. “We also have some guys that we can rotate in and out. We have some big guys coming back.”
The schedule for the Golden Knights will be challenging to say the least and will be highlighted a home game against perennial power, Wheeling Central.
The Maroon Knights will travel 286 miles to clash with Mount View Sept. 30.
“That is championship football no matter where they play. They are a very well coached team,” Gravely said. “We put Wheeling Central at the top because of what they have done over the years, but we have to look at every game like it is a Wheeling Central game.”
Gravely says his team has to have that laser focus in week one when his team travels to River View for county bragging rights in the season opener.
“Two years ago, we went down there and we had some problems. We let them hang around and they robbed us. We left out of there with a loss,” Gravely recalled. “(River View head coach) George (Kennedy) will have those guys ready to play and that game is for county pride right there.”
2022 Schedule
08/26/22 7:30PM A – RIVER VIEW
09/02/22 7:30PM A – MAN HIGH SCHOOL
09/09/22 7:30PM H – BUFFALO
09/16/22 7:30PM A – SUMMERS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
09/23/22 OPEN
09/30/22 7:30PM H – WHEELING CENTRAL CATHOLIC
10/07/22 7:30PM H – VAN SENIOR/MIDDLE SCHOOL
10/14/22 7:30PM A – TUG VALLEY
10/21/22 7:30PM H – TOLSIA
10/28/22 7:30PM A – WESTSIDE
11/04/22 7:30PM H – MINGO CENTRAL
