HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — In a playoff run that included a victory over defending champion Martinsburg, Huntington concluded the 2022 season with 13 consecutive victories. The Highlanders finished the job last fall after ending as runners-up a year earlier. While the excitement and memories from the title run remain, veteran head coach Billy Seals is making sure his team turns the page with August practice upon them.
“It is an exciting time for us,” Seals said. “Obviously what we did last year doesn’t mean anything now. It is all about — what does the ’23 team do?”
“Last year was last year,” said Huntington senior wide receiver/defensive back Duane Harris. “We know we’ve got the big target on our back. We’re going to have to grind. That’s what we are going to do.”
Talented playmakers return at the skill positions and on the line. Offensive lineman Robby Martin committed to North Carolina State earlier this week and he is the state’s top recruit in the Class of 2024. Fellow senior Kiyou Jackson has developed into a game-changing player on the defensive line.
“I think he is the best defensive tackle in the state of West Virginia,” Seals said. “Last year during the playoffs, and even in the regular season, but in the playoffs when we went exclusively to an odd front, he demanded a double team on every snap. That allowed our linebackers to run and make plays.”
More Division I recruits can be found at the running back and receiver spots. Junior running back Zah Jackson accounted for 1,100 yards of offense and 13 touchdowns in the regular season last year. He holds a host of Division I offers, including one from WVU. Senior wideout Duane Harris found the end zone 21 times a year ago and he is bound for Kent State.
“For me to get a step closer to the ultimate goal, that’s a good thing for me,” Harris said. “But I am going to keep grinding and get ready for the next level.”
“You add in Malik McNeely, who has a couple of D1 offers. You add in a new kid in Mikey Johnson, who is a phenomenal basketball player and came back out after a couple years not playing. Carmello Sheffield, Jamari Tubbs, we can put Zah in the slot and put D’Edrick [Graves] in the backfield,” Seals said.
One position battle stands out in training camp. That is the competition to replace J.R. House Award winner and current Dayton Flyer Gavin Lochow, a three-year starter at quarterback.
“Jaxon Hatfield and Avonte’ Crawford both did really well this summer,” Seals said. “They have both worked really hard. They are students of the game. They are a little different player than Gavin but they have done some good things this summer.”