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NORTH MURRAY MOUNTAINEERS
Head coach: Preston Poag (38-20 here; 62-40 overall)
Returning starters: 8 offensive; 8 defensive
Last year's record: 6-4, lost in AAA first round
Key players: Seth Griffin (6-3, 185) Jr. QB, Michael McDade (6-3, 200) Sr. WR, Devin Hunte (6-0, 220) Jr. TE/DE, Austin Johnson (6-2, 265) Jr. C, Ethan Dempsey (6-0, 185), Sr. LB/RB, Jadyn Rice (5-10, 175) Jr. WR/DB, Judson Petty (5-10, 175) So. WR/RB
Season outlook: After graduating the most successful class in program history after the 2019 region championship season, the Mountaineers were expected to have a rebuilding year in 2020. However, the team used a dynamic offense to reach the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, giving Poag reason to believe this year could be special.
"We were hurt last year because we had graduated a large senior class and none of our linemen were able to prepare properly to start," Poag said. "This year we know who the starters are at all our positions, and we've had a great summer."
Griffin, after a slow start, produced 1,969 passing yards and 20 touchdowns last fall for an offense that averaged 38 points per game. Poag will have to find a replacement for versatile standout Dante Tidwell, but the passing game should be in good hands with big-play receivers McDade, Petty and Rice as targets plus expected progress from Griffin at quarterback.
"Seth is a lot better on his reads," Poag said. "He's a 4.6 guy (in the 40-yard dash), too, so he can make plays with his legs. I was very careful with him last year as a first-year starter, but this year the whole playbook is open."
Poag hopes a deeper defensive line will make a difference late in games this year. If that group holds up, a linebacker corps led by Hunte, the team's leading tackler last season, as well as Dempsey should be better equipped to slow the run. Another key factor for the Mountaineers is the return of one of the area's top kickers and punters, Owen Hannah.