By Tom Bragg, For Lootpress.com
WINFIELD, W.Va. – Winfield had a lot of holes to fill on this season’s roster after rolling to the No. 1 seed in the Class AA state playoffs a year ago, most notably at quarterback.
Enter Chase Massey.
A 6-foot-1, 185 pound senior, Massey arrived in Putnam County from North Carolina this offseason and after a rocky start in the season opener against rival Hurricane, the Winfield newcomer proved he belonged last week against Herbert Hoover.
Winfield (1-1) jumped out to a big lead on the visiting Huskies in the first half thanks in large part to the play of its quarterback, then held off a Hoover rally down the stretch for a 35-22 win. Massey finished the game 5 of 11 passing for 128 yards with one touchdown and one interception while also making a big difference with his legs, amassing 127 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
For his efforts, Massey has been named the Lootpress Kanawha Valley Player of the Week for Week 2.
The award is sponsored by Dutch Miller Auto Group.
“I just love my guys,” Massey said. “They’re dogs out there. I love my defense. I love my coaches. I just love this team.”
Slowing down, let alone bringing down Massey proved a difficult task all evening for visiting Herbert Hoover. The Winfield quarterback took the Generals’ second play from scrimmage 15 yards around the end for a touchdown on the ground then later hooked up with junior wide receiver Easton Pinkerton for a 15-yard passing touchdown. He was back at it again before halftime, scampering 27 yards through the teeth of the Huskies defense for another rushing touchdown.
Winfield made no secret last season, its first under head coach Eddie Smolder, that the Generals liked to line up and find different ways to run right over defenses – and that includes the quarterback. Massey said last week’s game plan perhaps did not originally call for him to run the ball as much as he did, but he knew it was a possibility and came in prepared.
“I’m always ready,” Massey said. “We just come out here and try to do what’s best for the team and try to win.”
Next up for Winfield is a trip down Corridor G to face Cardinal Conference foe Chapmanville. Last season the Generals pounded the visiting Tigers 47-14. Winfield isn’t focusing too much on the past, however, and Smolder said he likes what he’s seen out of this season’s team and thinks he has a great leader for that group in Massey.
“[Massey] is a great kid,” Smolder said. “He’s a winner and he is unselfish. He’s a leader and he has done everything we asked him to do. It all starts with our offensive line up front and our fullbacks, our receivers and our wings all blocking. Football is a team effort and we had a lot of good effort [against Herbert Hoover].”
Massey also won the Community Choice fan vote with more than 63 percent of the more than 6,000 votes cast. He advances to the Community Choice poll which will be conducted at the conclusion of the regular season. The winner of the poll will be awarded a $500 scholarship by the Lootpress Foundation.
Kanawha Valley Player of the Week winners
Week 1: Josh Moody, Nitro
Week 2: Chase Massey, Winfield
Community Choice Players of the Week
Week 1: Trey Lester, Sherman
Week 2: Chase Massey, Winfield
