Fall 2026

 

 

Program Overview & History

The Pocahontas County High School Warriors (Dunmore, WV) compete in West Virginia's Class A division within the Coalfield Conference.

• Peak Seasons: The program enjoyed notable success during the mid-2010s under former head coach Michael Knisely, culminating in a 9–3 season in 2015–16 that saw the Warriors reach the Class A playoffs as one of the top seeds in the state.

• Winning Stretches: Coach Chris Sutton led competitive campaigns in 2017–18 (7–3) and 2018–19 (5–4).

• Small-School Roster Dynamics: As a rural single-high-school county system, player participation varies year-to-year, directly impacting depth and line rotation.

Recent Performance & Current Record

• 2025–26 Season Record: 3–7 Overall (1–2 League).

• Late-Season Momentum: After a slow start, the Warriors closed out the 2025 campaign strong with back-to-back decisive victories over Tygarts Valley (41–16) and Webster County (49–0).

• Multi-Year Trend: The Warriors matched their 3–7 record from the 2024–25 season, marking a gradual stabilization following a rebuilding 1–9 campaign in 2023.

Fall 2026 Season Outlook & Prediction

Heading into the Fall 2026 season under head coach Khaza Sen, Pocahontas County enters a vital developmental window:

• Roster Continuity: The 2025 squad was heavily reliant on a core group of sophomores and juniors (including contributors like Tanner Smith, Draven Hannah, Gavin Delair, and Austin Price). With minimal senior graduation losses, the 2026 roster returns with significantly more physical maturity and varsity experience.

• Class A Realignment & Conference Play: Playing in Coalfield Class A presents a demanding schedule, but late-season offensive explosions in 2025 proved the squad can produce big plays when executing.

2026 Prediction: 5–5 to 6–4 (Contender for Playoff Bubble).

With upperclassman experience leading both offensive and defensive lines, the Warriors are positioned for a bounce-back year. If they maintain momentum from their late-2025 victories and stay healthy across a lean roster, a return to a .500 or better record and a push for a Class A playoff berth is well within reach.

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For small-school Class A programs like Pocahontas County—where maximizing physical mismatches, keeping linemen fresh, and hiding intent behind multi-back sets are critical—a blend of run-heavy ground concepts and high-efficiency play-action works best.

Here are four high-leverage "winning plays" tailored for a lean, disciplined single-A offense:

1. Power Read (Gun / Offset Backfield)

A modern high-school staple that forces a single edge defender to be wrong regardless of what they do.

• Concept: Direct run option combining an inside power play with an outside sweep.

• Execution:

  • The offensive line blocks Power to the right (backside guard pulls, play-side line blocks down to seal the inside linebacker).

  • The QB reads the unblocked defensive end (DE) on the left.

  • The running back takes a wide sweep path across the formation.

• The Key Read:

  • If the DE expands wide to chase the sweeping back, the QB tucks the ball and follows the pulling guard right up the B-gap.

  • If the DE stays home or crashes inside on the QB, the QB gives the ball to the back for an outside race to the sideline.

2. Buck Sweep / Jet Sweep Crack (Under Center or Pistol)

High-school defenses often over-pursue laterally or get caught aggressive near the line of scrimmage.

• Concept: Getting dynamic skill players into space with dual-pulling guards.

• Execution:

  • The wide receiver motioning in (or a fast wingback) takes a handoff at full speed before the snap.

  • Blocking Assignment: The play-side wide receiver/tight end sets a crack block on the outside linebacker or strong safety coming downhill.

  • Both guards pull to the outside to seal the perimeter corner and lead the runner up the sideline.

• Why It Works: It turns defensive pursuit against itself, forcing secondary defenders to shed physical blocks from pulling interior linemen in open space.

3. Play-Action "Pass-Heavy" Waggle (Bootleg Off Power/Iso)

After establishing a heavy dose of inside runs (Iso/Power) to wear down the defensive front, the Waggle creates wide-open vertical passing lanes.

• Concept: Fake an inside handoff, roll the QB opposite the run motion, and flood one side of the field with three distinct depth levels.

• Execution:

  • Fake: Full-back or main RB fakes an aggressive inside run to suck up the linebackers.

  • QB: Bootlegs out to the opposite side away from the fake.

  • Route Tree:

    1. Flat: Fullback/H-back leaks into the short flat (4–6 yards out).

    2. Corner/Out: Tight end or slot runs an intermediate route (10–12 yards).

    3. Post/Deep Drag: Outside WR runs a deep cross or post across the top.

• Why It Works: High school linebackers almost always bite on the heavy inside fake. The QB has an easy high-to-low progression and plenty of time on the roll out.

4. Midline Option (Triple Option Variant)

Ideal for keeping smaller offensive lines competitive against heavier defensive fronts, as it neutralizes a big interior defensive tackle without actually blocking them.

• Concept: Read the inside defensive tackle (DT) rather than an outside end.

• Execution:

  • The center and play-side guard leave the defensive tackle unblocked, moving directly to the second level to seal off linebackers.

  • The QB meshes with the dive back right in the A-gap.

  • Read:

    • If the DT closes in to tackle the dive back, the QB pulls the ball and steps into the open B-gap.

    • If the DT holds ground or stays outside to control the QB, the dive back takes the handoff straight through the center seam.

• Why It Works: It relies on discipline and tempo rather than pure strength, wearing down bigger interior linemen by making them think and change direction on every snap.

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