By Steve Keenan the fayette tribune

Brandon Wickline says he’ s inheriting a solid team for his first go-round as the Meadow Bridge Regional head football coach.

Last year’ s Meadow Bridge squad went 7-4, which included a 44-30 setback to Pendleton County in the Class A playoffs. Seven starters on both sides return from that team.

Wickline, who was hired over the summer to replace Dwayne Reichard, says the skill level should be evident this fall.“ When I look at the big picture, I’ ve got thoroughbreds,” he said.“ I’ ve got kids that can run. I truly am blessed taking over and having kids that can run.”

With the returning personnel, Wickline expects the Wildcats to adopt more of a spread offensive attack instead of the traditional Power-I formation.“ Obviously, you’ ve got Kaiden Sims( who rushed for about 2,400 yards as a junior),” he said.

Wickline says he’ ll use Sims“ all over the field. We’ re not going to line up and run Kaiden 40 times a game. He might get 25 touches a game.

“ There’ s a lot of things I can do with this team.”

Meadow Bridge will also count on skilled backfield returners Bow Wykle and Trip Roles.“ And Trent Roles is probably one of the best receivers nobody knows about. I’ m going to use all those guys and get them in space,” said Wickline.

Steady quarterback Braydon Thomas graduated, and Trip Roles, Logan Crowe and Tony Martin competed for the signal-caller post over the summer.“ All have different skills and will battle it out until the week of the first game,” said Wickline.

Nick Hamons and Tuck-

Jenny Harnish / The Register-Herald

Meadow Bridge’ s Trip Roles carries the ball against Richwood during a game at Meadow Bridge.

er Pugh return to anchor the line play, while Meadow Bridge will be looking to replace Charles Bragg, Ashton Davis and Jadon Butcher in the trenches. Kolby Simmons, Jackson Adkins and Leland Vandall are expected to get significant snaps on the line.

“ We’ ve got kids coming in,” Wickline said.“ We’ re gonna have competition at a lot of places.

“ On offense, all those guys can run like deer. Our skill set is so much better.”

Among the defensive changes is moving Wykle from tackle to middle linebacker.“ He dropped about 10 to 15 pounds and is at 210 now,” Wickline said.“ He’ s a man.”

Sims will move from linebacker to strong safety. Martin, a starter, played tight end and linebacker last fall, and that could change, according to Wickline. Defensive back Issac Black is among the other key starters back. Defensive contributor Cameron Gipson will be sidelined this year after being injured in an automobile accident in the offseason.

“ We’ d like to get back to the playoffs and make it past the first round,” Wickline said.“ I think we’ re capable of it.

“ There are a lot of expectations, and that’ s good.”

Due to Van folding its team this year, Meadow Bridge will be open the first week of the season. The

Wildcats will play at Pocahontas County on Friday, Sept. 5. A road contest at Valley-Wetzel on Sept. 26 will replace the Van contest. Also on the slate, Gilmer County has been replaced with Bland County, Va.

2025 SCHEDULE

SOUTHERN W. VA. GAME NIGHT- AUGUST 2025 • 15