SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.Va – Speed kills.
Two words that tell you everything you need to know. Year in and year out, the Jefferson Cougars are in the conversation as the single fastest high school football team in the state of West Virginia.
It makes sense in that regard that the head coach of the Cougars, Craig Hunter, just so happens to be one of the most decorated track and field coaches in the state of West Virginia. Even as Keyshawn Robinson departs for West Virginia University after dazzling on both the gridiron and the track, Hunter has more than enough athletes that compete for him in both sports to once again outrun the opposition this fall.
“It’s great for us to have speed and to transfer it to the football field. Speed kills so hopefully we can continue to do that and be successful in doing this hopefully this year,” Hunter said.
Senior tailback Tay’Shaun Roper put his stamp on the Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference a year ago, rushing for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns. Entering his final season, Roper will be counted on even more to establish Jefferson on offense.
“Tay’Shaun Roper can take the ball and go 90 yards, 80 yards, 60 yards for a touchdown at any point in time,” Hunter said, “He looks small in stature. but he’s fast and powerful to be able to run through tackles and run away from people.”
Roper will certainly not be the only threat on what projects to be a balanced Cougar attack this fall, commanded by another senior in quarterback Dylan Harich. Since taking over as a sophomore, Harich has led Jefferson to back to back playoff appearances and Hunter is counting on him to take another step forward this season.
“I thought he’s taken a great step in the offseason to work on his mechanics and getting everything down now. He understands the system a little bit better. His read progression is going a lot faster. He’s understanding where the ball needs to go and getting it out quicker,” Hunter said.
Despite the departure of Robinson, there are a number of targets for Harich to work with this season with the ability to impact the game. Another track standout in Tony Allen will be looked at to make even more plays as a junior while senior Demarius Wallace and junior Jackson Rockwell each return after playing significant roles in 2023.
“Tony emerged this past year especially. You got to see it during track season with his speed coming through and he just popped off the page because of his speed and being able to run away from people,” Hunter said, “Jackson Rockwell will probably be the leading receiver coming back as far as yardage and catches go since Keyshawn’s gone. You have Demarius Wallace and also Tre’Von Ledbetter plays outside there.”
Hunter is counting on a group of lineman on both sides of the ball that has experienced leaders and a group of new faces stepping into big roles. Noah Bagent and Kip Waldeck return as proven contributors that will be leaned upon to provide the model for success.
“Noah Hockman has stepped up real big as a sophomore and then you have Silas Speets that played a lot for us last year and then Luis Hockenberry right now. We have some other guys that we think could step in and provide some depth,” Hunter said.
An athletic group of linebackers will make up the rest of the front seven on defense with Leeland Benner, Takiem Drake and Washington transfer Landon Zimmerman manning the inside positions while Brady Roberts and Tre’Von Ledbetter provide pressure off the edge.
With so many new starters up front, Hunter believes that he has a defensive backfield with the talent and experience to make up for mistakes. Allen, Roper and Wallace provide a trio of strong cornerbacks while Harich and Rockwell return at the safety positions and gain another stellar athlete with all-state point guard Jamari Jenkins expected to see time on the back end after joining the team for his senior season.
“Our secondary’s probably our strongest part of the team with experience. Demarius Wallace has been back there last year. Tony Allen has been back there in spots,” Hunter said, “Jackson Rockwell started back there. You have Dylan Harich that can play back there. Jamari Jenkins is going to play some safety for us.”
Jefferson opens the season on August 30 against Spring Mills.
