Following two straight trips to the Class AAA playoffs, Beckley narrowly missed the postseason thanks to a late season swoon in 2023.
Now the Flying Eagles find themselves in a historic situation where they have already qualified for the 2024 playoffs regardless of their record.
Following an opinion from the Review Board that reversed the decision of the Board of Directors, the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission upheld the appeals of 23 schools that were moved to a higher classification for the 2024-25 school year.
Beckley remained part of Class AAAA under the new four-class system, but after the appeals were recognized, the Class AAAA field was whittled down to 16 schools, the same number of schools that qualify for the playoffs each year.
Even prior to the decision which shook the state, Flying Eagles head coach Street Sarrett was convinced his team was set to make a return visit to the postseason.
“This group has really worked hard. Last season I think left a bad taste in the mouths of our seniors with the way it ended and people quit on them,” Sarrett said. “This group has been geared in and focused. We started up our offseason there on Jan. 22 and they rocked and rolled early in the morning. I have been pleased with our summer stuff that has went really well, so I look for some good things.”
Much of the excitement for Beckley centers around the offensive line which returns several experienced players.
“We lost Tyler Hunt who was an undersized guard that played tough for us. He played hurt and never said a word,” Sarrett said. “We have everybody else back. Keandre Goode (senior) is back. Tyrez Jones (junior), Ja’Marques Manns (junior), Drake Bowling (Senior) and Isaac Lambert (senior). Those guys have lived in that weight room.”
“They are a good bunch and they have the potential to be a good offensive line,” Sarrett went on to say. “This year we have Doug Legursky helping coach our line, so you can’t ask for anything better. If you add them all up, they probably average 270 (pounds) across the front, so that is a pretty good line for high school.”
Senior Landon Jones will play tight end and more strength to the offensive line as well.
“Landon Jones might be one of the best tight ends that I have seen in a long, long time. I think he has finally grown into his body,” Sarrett said. “He has always had a big frame. He is every bit of 6-3 or 6-4 and 220 pounds right now. He is a tough kid, a wrestler, that has never missed a morning weight lifting session ever. I look for big things out of him.”
Skill players have been interchangeable under Sarrett with the bigger backs playing running back and tight end, while the smaller backs play running back and wide receiver. That will also be the case in 2024.
“At the running back position you have Konnor Ray, Bryce Ford, M.J. Staples,” Sarrett said. “Jacob Reeves and Jaheem Miller are at fullback and those two can also play tight end. Connor Ray can play tight end, Bryce Ford can play tight end.”
A.J. Thomas, Christian Stewart along with Staples are burners and will see some time at receiver as well as running back.
“Konnor Ray also has some speed. He will surprise you. We have some freshman coming in that look good. Alizah Pittman never missed a day of weights. Hezakiah Plummer is a freshman that has been really working and we look for good things out of him. We still have guys that can run routes and can catch. J.W. Wynes is physical at wide receiver.”
Basketball standout Preston Clary is playing football this year and adds more athleticism to the Flying Eagles roster.
“Preston is an athlete and I look for some good things out of him at that wide receiver spot and (defensive back),” Sarrett said. “He may play some quarterback here and there. He played quarterback in middle school. Preston is a competitor.”
Sophomore Gage Price steps under center this year for Beckley after playing JV as a freshman.
“Gage Price has worked his tail off during the summer. Super smart kid that is a competitor and a baseball starter as a freshman,” Sarrett said. “He is tough and competes hard. Gage is probably too hard on himself when he does some things, but I think the sky is the limit for him.”
The Flying Eagles appear to be quite stout on defense as well after only losing two players to graduation.
Jones, Reeves, Ford and Ray will anchor the linebacker core, while Manns and Bolen will play defensive end. Jones, Goode and Lambert will be at the tackles.
Jaliel Sharpe-Washington, Clary, Stewart, Pittman, Wynes, Staples and Thomas will be the ball hawks and pass defenders.
“These guys know they should have made the playoffs last year and it was really disappointing to them,” Sarrett said. “This team is physical, tough and they play football the way it is supposed to be played.”
Beckley opens on the road with visits to Washington in the Eastern Panhandle, Aug. 30 and Greenbrier East in Week 2. The home opener will be in week three against Parkersburg South.
