Youth served on Class AA all-state team

PARKERSBURG -Focusing on age alone, the Class AA first team all-staters from Magnolia and Ravenswood may appear to be new kids on the block.

Dig a little deeper, and these same football players are rich in talent.

Both programs earned three selections on the first team as voted by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. All three representatives from Magnolia are juniors, while Ravenswood had a pair of 11th graders. Of the eight Red Devils receiving some type of mention, only two graduate.

"We were a junior-dominated team this year and with the recognition of so many juniors, we anticipate a good showing next year as well," Ravenswood coach Dick Sturm said.

Contributing to Ravenswood's 9-2 finish were Chad Small (defensive utility), Jonas Jelich (linebacker) and Tanner Hunter (placekicker).

Small, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior, started on both sides of the line, handled the punting duties and even filled in at fullback in the power-I formation for short yardage situations.

"Chad was our impact player," Sturm said. "He was one of our leaders on the field - not vocally, but leading by example. He was always encouraging teammates. He's kind of a quiet-type leader, but guys looked to him for leadership."

At 6-1 and 193 pounds, junior Jonas Jelich started at linebacker and also played the H-back position in the spread offense to give Ravenswood an additional blocker. In addition to recording six sacks, Jelich also broke the school record for tackles held by his father (Joe).

"Jonas is a chip off the old block," Sturm said. "He is kind of quiet and does not have a whole lot to say, but he is physical. He likes contact and loves the game."

Rounding out the Ravenswood contingent on first team was Hunter, who has rewritten the school records for points scored after making 28 extra points and six field goals during his senior year.

"Not only was he quite a tool for scoring, but he had several touchbacks and that alleviated the threat of the opponent running the ball back," Sturm said. "He was a great asset for special teams."

Magnolia also enjoyed a banner season after reaching the state semifinal round and finishing 12-1. Part of the credit belonged to a contingent of juniors: Justin Fox (defensive back), Traeh Keller (linebacker) and Matt Riggs (offensive lineman).

Fox, who intercepted seven passes, doubled as the Blue Eagles' starting quarterback. His numbers included 1,227 yards through the air for nine TDs. Fox also scored eight TDs, while kicking 47 PATs and four field goals.

"Justin had a big interception against Williamstown which he took back for a touchdown," Magnolia coach Mark Batton said. "That kind of gave us a lift that carried us through not only that game, but also through the season."

Fox and Keller, have already appeared in 40 games with Magnolia. The 5-10, 180-pound Keller returns as a first-team all-stater after piling up over 100 tackles, including four sacks.

"Traeh called all the defensive signals," Batton said. "He had just a great nose for the football. He didn't stunt quite as much. We used him a lot more in pass coverage and did an excellent job with that."

On occasion, Keller spelled 1,000-yard rushers Dillon Jackson and Stingray Bates - both of whom graduate in the spring. Now Keller steps into the spotlight at running back.

"Next year, Traeh will be a 48-minute player for us," Batton said. "He won't come off the field."

Riggs will also take on a larger role for his senior year as a two-way lineman since the Blue Eagles graduate three of their five starters on offense alone.

"As our starting guard, Matt did all of our pulling and trapping," Batton said. "He has nice speed and is a strong boy. He works hard and really understands blocking schemes."

Two other area football players also earned a spot on the first team: Tyler Consolidated's Nate Taylor (running back) and Roane County's Tyler Dolan (defensive lineman).

Taylor is a three-sport standout (football, wrestling and track) who rushed for 1,788 yards on 203 carries and scored 28 touchdowns. The senior follows a line of outstanding tailbacks from Tyler Consolidated which includes Jacob Lohri and Nate Zills.

"Our offense is built around tailbacks, so they have to be able to run hard and be hard-nosed," Tyler Consolidated coach Rob Caldwell said. "Nate Taylor's stats on offense were so good, it kind of overshadowed his defensive stats as a cornerback. With his speed and quickness, not too many teams tried to throw his way."

For Dolan, it took several years to find a position which best suited his skills. The 6-1, 166-pound senior found his niche as a defensive end and recorded a team-high nine sacks. As a defensive specialist, Dolan blocked two punts and one extra point.

"Tyler had sprinter's speed off the edge and really wreaked havoc," Roane County coach Tom Hardman said.

The Mid-Ohio Valley was also represented on the second team with Ravenswood's Mark Davis (offensive lineman), Cole Starcher (offensive utility) and Luke Murray (defensive back), Roane County's Evan Greathouse (offensive lineman) and Rhett Atkinson (punter), and Magnolia's Jared Blatt (offensive end) and Stingray Bates (defensive utility).

Earning special mention were Magnolia's Andy Huggins and Dillon Jackson, and Tyler Consolidated's Jordan Smith.

The honorable mention list included Ravenswood's Luke Corley and Bobby Rymer, Tyler Consolidated's Brandon Grimes and Boone Kehrer, Magnolia's Davey Howell and Cole Mullett, Ritchie County's Andy Lipscomb and Steven Robinson, and Roane County's Alex Mace and Nathan Reynolds.