Oak Hill entered preseason football camp with the idea that it would be competing in the newly established Class AAAA classification.
Just over a week into camp, the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission received an opinion from the Review Board reversing the decision of the Board of Directors to uphold the appeals of 11 schools for reclassification in football for the 2024-25 academic year.
Oak Hill was one of the 11 schools affected, dropping the Red Devils back to Class AAA.
Although second-year head coach Davon Marion was ready to play the cards his team was dealt, Marion was pleased with the decision for his team.
“I am excited. I told the kids when the news broke that I didn’t see any reason that we cannot finish in the top-six range,” Marion said. “I believe in them and they believe in themselves. We have worked hard this offseason. I was looking forward to the challenge in four-A, but none the less, I think we can make some noise in three-A.”
In his first year at the helm, the former Mt. Hope Mustang standout guided Oak Hill to an 8-2 record and the first playoff berth for the Red Devils since 2018.
Naturally, Marion is looking to keep the momentum rolling.
“I think we can have a special year,” Marion said. “This offseason we had a core of 20-25 kids that worked really, really hard and that is the core that we will lean on. I feel like at the skill positions that we are better and we bring back all three running backs from last year. We had to replace two receivers, but we have found two that can play right away.”
Although Oak Hill likes to sling it up and down the field, the Red Devils will also pound you with their power run game led by senior J.D. Mauritz.
“J.D. rushed for over 1,000 yard last year and our other two senior running backs could start for any team in the state,” Marion said. “They chose to stay and they push each other every day. J.D. will get the bulk of the carries, but Tyler Ashmore and James Green will be sprinkled in as well. We have a three-headed monster that is a good problem to have.”
The offensive line returns three starters including senior stalwart Brandon Champion and junior James Ludwig.
“Those guys are our core. The other guys that are stepping in have had a really good spring and summer,” Marion said. I have all of the faith in the world in them. We will lean on that offensive line and it is going to drive this team.”
Devin Richardson moved over from Beckley for his senior year and is competing with senior Levi Kiszka for the starting quarterback job.
“Devin might have the edge in speed, but Levi knows the offense and can make plays with his feet too. We like to throw the ball down the field. It will come down to who can deliver in the passing game to give our running backs some space to operate,” Marion explained. “Both of those kids are really athletic. If not at quarterback, they will both have roles on this team to play every Friday night. I wan them to get reps somewhere.”
When the ball does go in the air, Oak Hill will have some weapons to make opposing defensive coordinators sweat.
“(Seniors) Mikey Spack and Armonyi Hicks both started last year. Zychaeus Lewis played heavy minutes last year in the slot behind Elijah Gray (who graduated),” Marion said. “We are replacing (the graduated) David Spaulding with Carson Treadway. Carson is about 6-foot-2, 190 pounds and ran a 4.4, 40 yard dash this off season.”
The biggest losses to graduation came on the defensive side of the ball, but Marion is convinced his team will play with that same aggressive attitude this year.
“We will lean on Derrick Sullivan to demand a double team and Brandon Champion will play,” Marion said. “I expect a great year from James Ludwig because he has put in a lot of work this off season.”
The linebacking core will include Spack along with fellow seniors Tyler Ashmore and James Green, as well as sophomore Cade Compton.
“The secondary is led by Carson Treadway who is a tall athletic receiver that can cover ground,”, Marion said. “Hicks and Lewis should also have prominent roles on defense.”
When the Red Devils play their home opener against Princeton on Sept. 13, Oak Hill will welcome the Tigers to its newly turfed field.
“It has been a struggle finding a place to practice. Our weight room was blocked off so we had to work at the basketball gym. We appreciate them letting us use their weights, but they don’t have a lot” Marion said, smiling. “It has been a process, but what is a team without some adversity.”
Oak Hill opens the season on the road at Nicholas County before traveling to Riverside in Week 2.
