Learning to win and close out games is often the biggest struggle for young teams.
Such was the case for Nicholas County a year ago.
The Grizzlies opened the 2023 season by dropping three of the first four games in heartbreaking fashion, all by a combined total of six points.
“We knew we had graduated a really good senior class (from 2022). We had some retooling to do. Several folks had graduated that were really quality players. They were players that had started since they were sophomores,” head coach Gene Morris said. “We played a lot of underclassmen last year. They played really tough and we felt a little snake-bit the first few ball games. That is part of it. You have to learn to win. You have to be able top finish and we talk about that a lot.”
To its credit, Nicholas County answered the bell with four wins in the next six games to finish 5-5 on the season.
“They stayed right with it and I am very proud of the way they rallied around each other,” Morris said. “I believe that was a testament to the senior leadership we had last year.”
The Grizzlies will carry that winning momentum into 2024, but it will also carry a little anger with it.
“Whenever you have a season that is tight at .500, those that want to succeed stay hungry and work in the offseason,” Morris said. “They have that ‘bad taste in their mouths.’ I feel like our guys have worked really hard in the offseason and are ready to get back out there. They are a little bigger, a little stronger and this year a little more seasoned.”
Up front, Nicholas County returns a unit that is mostly intact and could be a real strength towards a playoff push.
“All lines just need to build chemistry. Now it is just making sure everybody is on the same page when you plug in some new bodies,” Morris said. We want to build that chemistry and communication up front.”
Junior Jackson Triplett returns at the center position. Triplett started last year and will make the calls up front. J.T. Williams is a senior that brings back plenty of game experience.
“J.T. has shown some good leadership, ” Morris said. “Those two are the guys that our offensive line will turn to this year. They have the most experience and they understand it. We have several guys that we can move in and out.”
“We try to platoon a little bit with the offensive line not having to play much defense and the defensive line not having to play offense,” Morris went on to say. “It is what it is in high school football. When a player goes down, somebody may have to start playing both ways. That is what practice is about, building that depth to have players ready to go in game situations.”
Coleton Hellems started last year as a sophomore and gives the Grizzlies a big-time threat in the passing game. After a tough first game, Hellems threw just one interceptions over the final nine games, accumulating over 1,200 yards through the air with 11 touchdowns.
“Coleton is intelligent enough, and through his maturity from last year, he can understand the coverages. He can understand what the coverage is supposed to do and that gives him a pre-snap read,” Morris said. “Then after that, it falls on the receiver to get himself open and move to the right spot.”
Landon Keenan, Trey Hatfield and Jacob Hatfield will be counted upon to get into open space for Hellems, along with Lucas Milam, Brayden Johnson and Spencer Keiper.
“Johnson and Keiper are also playing in the secondary. We will have to rotate them around so they don’t get worn out,” Morris said. “All of them are good quality receivers that can catch the ball for us.”
Running back is one area hit strong by graduation. Morris will look to Devin Nash, Jeremiah Bailes and Ben Deaton to carry the rock.
“I would say any of the three of them can get out there and take a few snaps,” Morris said. “We will lean on Devin and Jeremiah a little bit more, but Ben is in the mix. They are all three quality running backs.”
Defensively the Grizzlies look pretty stout to open the season.
“We have a pretty good front that will be nice and solid. Our linebacker core is all back intact from last year. In high school football you want to stop the run before you stop anything else,” Morris said. “We will still see plenty of passing type teams and we bring back all but one starter in the secondary.”
Nash will lead the defense at strong-side linebacker after playing the position for three years.
“I think that is the guy you lean on as to making the calls and making sure all the guys are in the right spot,” Morris said. “He has the motivational skills to get everybody flying around and getting to the football.”
Nicholas County originally was moved up to Class AAA under the new four-class system before returning to Class AA following a decision by the the Dept. of Education Board of Review.
The Grizzlies will open the season by hosting Class AAA Oak Hill on Aug. 30. A trip to Chapmanville in Week 2 will be followed by an intense battle with Independence at Veterans Memorial Stadium the third week of the season.
