WOODROW WILSON
WOODROW WILSON
Eagles have holes, but also key returners
By Gary Fauber the register-herald
Last season, all Class AAAA teams in West Virginia had a 100 percent chance of making the high school football playoffs. That’ s because there were only 16 teams vying for 16 postseason spots.
Those odds have decreased in 2025— teams now have a mere 80 percent shot.
OK, so the odds are still quite favorable, four of every five teams in what is now a 20-team Class AAAA group set to play past a tenth game. But at least something is left to chance.
No matter the situation, qualifying for the postseason will always be the expectation in the mind of Woodrow Wilson coach Street Sarrett.
“ This year, it’ s like any other year,” he said.“ We’ re trying to win one week at a time week and be 1-0 on Saturday mornings. If we can do that, that takes care of business. We don’ t pay attention to the points and the rankings. When we take care of our wins, that takes care of itself. It’ s( the expectation) always playoffs. Home playoff game, win and just keep moving on when we get to the playoffs. That’ s what our goals are.”
With playoffs back to being no guarantee, albeit a probability, the Flying Eagles will march toward that goal with some key returning players while also having to replace some big ones.
For instance, nearly 100 percent of the running game is gone. Bryce Ford, Konnor Ray, M. J. Staples, Christian Stewart, Jacob Reeves and Landon Jones all graduated. Gone with them are 383 of
Rick Barbero / The Register-Herald
Woodrow Wilson quarterback Gage Price talks to head coach Street Sarrett during a game against Bluefield.
Woodrow’ s 438 carries, 2,206 of its 2,233 yards and all 23 of its touchdowns.
But just as those six combined to give the team a vaunted attack, Sarrett believes this year’ s team will be capable of the same approach.
Among the many candidates to get carries are Jaheim Miller, Alizah Pittman, A. J. Thomas, Anthony Hinkle, Matt Taylor and J. W. Wynes.
As for handing the ball off to any of those potential players, or delivering it to them out of the backfield, Sarrett has confidence in his junior Gages— Gage Price and Gage Burdette.
Price got the bulk of the action last season, completing 58 of 121 passes for 597 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. Burdette was 8-of-19 for 88 yards, two scores and two picks.
Whomever is not calling the signals will be lined up as a running back or wide receiver.
Speaking of receiver, Thomas and fellow senior Preston Clary are back after combining for 30 receptions, 355 yards and four touchdowns a year ago.
Joining them in that corps will be the likes of Wynes, Zamier Jones, Jaliel Sharpe and Oak Hill transfer C. J. Cunning- ham.
The offensive line lost the services of Keandre Goode, Drake Bowling and Isaac Lambert. But there is a strong foundation back in seniors Jamarques Manns( 6-foot-4, 270 pounds) and Tyrez Jones( 6-4, 286).
Candidates to fill the vacancies are Tripp Stiffler, Kade Cowger, Andrew Sweeney, Ben Fitzwater, Dylan Via and Kolten Martin.
On defense, Thomas and Clary combined to help give the Flying Eagles a potent backfield. Thomas was first-team all-state after posting six interceptions and 44 tackles. Clary finished with three interceptions and 22 tackles.
Joining them in the secondary will be Sharpe, Ayden Reeves, Jones and Pittman.
Up front will be many of the same who will be on the offensive line. Among the linebackers will be Burdette, Price, Hinkle, Taylor and Cooper Phillips.
First-year sophomore Maddex Morris, son of Woodrow Wilson and Marshall alum Matt Morris, could see time on the field this fall.
Seniors Tyler Radford and Vince Umberger both return as placekickers from the state champion soccer team.
2025 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7
Washington Greenbrier East at Parkersburg South at Bluefield
Open at Preston Riverside Princeton at Spring Valley Oak Hill at George Washington
SOUTHERN W. VA. GAME NIGHT- AUGUST 2025 • 31