Oak Hill made a big splash in its return to Class AAA boys soccer back in 2020 by winning the Region 3, Section 2 title over longtime rival Beckley.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, the following three seasons have not gone as well with first round exits in the postseason the last two seasons.
Now in his second full season as head coach, Blake Wingrove is convinced the program is headed back in the right direction.
“It is about fundamentals. I have had some of these guys their entire life and some of them for two years now,” Wingrove said. “There is a big difference in fundamentals right now. We are trying to get everybody on the same page, but I think we will compete this year.”
Heading into the 2024 season, Oak Hill was tasked with replacing seven seniors and a couple of solid players along the back line.
The best news for Red Devil Nation is the fact that interest is high, numbers are up and the roster appears to be growing.
“I currently have seven seniors on the roster, but the sophomore class and the junior class are the big ones,” Wingrove said. “I also have a big freshman class coming in next year, so the program is in a solid position.”
Among those returners are a vast array of scoring weapons including Graison Kidd, Andrew Wingrove, Judah Hrabosky, Jacob Schwarz, Elisha Jones, Nathan Hurt, Jager Workman and Zeb Knight.
“I have a lot of offensive guys that are not necessarily new to the sport. They are seasoned,” Wingrove said. “They are upperclassman, just not seniors yet. I am excited for sure. We have guys that can do it all.”
It is an offensive make-up that Wingrove relishes and is comfortable with as well.
“I like having weapons everywhere. If you have one guy that is having a bad game, someone else can pick it up,” Wingrove said. “We are not relying on one person to win a game for us. We want to be able to hit teams from everywhere.”
Schwarz, Hrabosky and Knight along with Cadence Pennington and Lucas Treadway will hold down the midfield, but that dangerous group will also provide a long range scoring threat.
“They have strong legs that can score from distance, but they are also good at placing the ball. It’s not just about power, it is more about placing it in the top corners,” Wingrove said. “Lucas and Judah are two guys that I rely on when we have to go more defensive heavy as well. Jacob, Zeb and Cadence are the guys that I rely on to move the ball around and get it to our strikers.”
Landon Goff will play center-back on defense, but Wingrove is looking to use some different defensive formations this year.
“We will go three in the back and four in the back. When we go three, our wingers will have a lot more responsibility because when we do make that defensive transition it is a five back set,” Wingrove explained. “It will be about getting enough walk-throughs and getting some film in to get these guys prepared for the new formations.”
Flanking Goff will be a pair of track speedsters in brothers Conlan Brooks (senior) and Nolan Brooks (sophomore).
“I have Landon who is my muscle back there, then we have arguably two of the fastest kids in the state in the track aspect especially.”
Senior Jake Dickens controls the net, but Oak Hill also has fellow-senior Johnnie Brown to provide depth between the pipes.
“I try to keep the competition level at practice as high as I can. I let them know from game to game they are not guaranteed anything,” Wingrove said. “If they don’t work, they don’t play. We have over 30 kids which it is great for competition.”
The Red Devils started fast winning their first three games over Bluefield (6-2), Ripley (2-1) and St. Albans (2-0)
Kidd has four goals on the season and has scored in each match. Wingrove has added two goals, while Goff, Schwarz, Workman and Sawyer Emery have also scored a goal.
Thursday night will be the biggest test of the young season for Oak Hill when it hosts rival Beckley in a key sectional showdown.
The two remaining sectional battles come at the end of the month when the Red Devils host Princeton on the 19th before heading to Greenbrier East on the 24th.
“We have a very difficult region and section. It makes us better playing each other and beating up on each other during the season,” Wingrove said. “I always hope for the best and I like this group. They are good and they work well together.”
Kick-off against the Flying Eagles is set for 7:30 p.m.
