Football Xtra

Battle of Hancock County

Weir looks for sixth consecutive Carl Hamill Trophy over Oak Glen

WEIRTON -- When the high school football season rolls around each year, the two high school teams in Hancock County -- Weir High and Oak Glen -- jump right into action not only with high expectations, but the kind of intensity that comes at the end of the season for teams good enough to make the playoffs.

It's like a playoff atmosphere with a lot at stake, and that will be no different when the teams get together Friday night for the 54th time. This year, it is at Jimmy Carey Stadium with a 7 p.m. start time.

For the Red Riders, who go into the season with a veteran lineup that includes a couple of first-team all-staters, the game has playoff implications even though it is so early. Home field advantage has to be one of the goals for veteran coach Tony Filberto's crew, and that means wins are imperative.

The Riders also have other incentives. A win would give them three in a row over the Golden Bears, which means another Carl Hamill Trophy retires to their trophy case (they have 10). Noted for its defense, Weir High defeated Oak Glen the last five years and shut them out the last two years in a row. Can they do it a third time?

On top of all that, it is the game of the week, so athletes from both teams certainly will be geared up to perform their best, with all those extra eyes witnessing the play on television.

Oak Glen coach Ted Arneault, beginning his third season at the helm, says he's trying to keep his club on a more even keel and not get involved so much in the rivalry, the Hamill trophy and the hype.

"I don't think our kids are motivated by the Hamill Trophy or playing Weir or on television," he said.

"I think it is more about giving our all. I think we're better. We're improved. I think we have a ways to go, but I think it is more about our journey than it is about theirs."

Filberto is quick to corroborate what Arneault said about improvement in the Golden Bears.

"Oak Glen is a much-improved football team," he said. "They went through two good scrimmages where they were the better team in both (the Bears played Brooke and United Local). They have become efficient and throw the ball well. They give you a lot to deal with on defense."

Nick Chaney, who burst on the scene last year as a freshman, completing 102 of 242 passes for 1,539 years (second most in the area), is back with a year of varsity experience. Chaney connected for 15 touchdowns through the air, but had 11 interceptions.

"Chaney threw the ball well last year, and he has some speedy receivers along with a big receiver," Filberto said.

Arneault said the Golden Bears have speed with the outside receivers in junior Zach Taylor and have even more size in senior tight end Ethan Travis.

Arneault will have an all-sophomore backfield when he lines up Gage Patterson and Paxton Shuman as running backs. Hunter Patterson is the wing back, and Michael Lemley is the slot receiver.

"We have a lot of sophomores and juniors," Arneault said. "We're young, but a lot of these kids got experience last year."

Meanwhile, Filberto has a lot of pieces in his puzzle, too. He will go with veteran senior Tyler Komorowski at quarterback. Komorowski, who doubles as a defensive end where he earned first-team all-state honors, has committed to play at the next level with the Black Knights of the Hudson at the U.S. Military Academy.

Komorowski passed for 604 yards in six games last year. Filling in for Komorowski in the five games he missed with an injury was junior Sebastian Spencer, who is back as the slot back where he can use the blazing speed that made him the 200-meter state champion in track last spring. Filberto said senior Garet Hostuttler, juniors Ste'Von Semedo and Elijah Gillette will see action as slot receivers.

Reed Reitter, who returns as a senior after leading the Red Riders in receiving last year, is on the outside along with classmate Jake McCoy, who also started there in 2017.

"I think we'll have a more open offense this year," Filberto said. "We'll probably throw the ball more. You know, we always have liked going with one back and a lot of receivers, but we have gone with a two-back offense the past couple of years with the big backs.

"We have two very capable running backs this year with Chad Custer and Donavan Kirby, so we can go to our run package with tight end Rees Wills when we want to or have to."

Kirby transferred to Weir High from Madonna during the offseason after leading the state, regardless of classification, in rushing with more than 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Custer returns with 728 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.

Along with Kirby's transfer came senior Rob Valenti from Madonna, who will play a big role in a veteran Red Rider offensive line. Also transferring to Weir High is C. J. Helms, who started at linebacker the past two seasons at Brooke.

Both football teams have a lot at stake, so it could turn out to be a real battle.

"This is what high school football is all about," Filberto said. "Any time local rivals like this get together, anything can happen."

Arneault said he feels his team, because of it's youth, needs to play a perfect football game.

"We need to execute offensively and win the intangibles, while eliminating the mistakes," he said. "We can't allow that tough Weir High defense to score. We've been shut out two years in a row, so we have to put the ball in the end zone, not have turnovers and not allow big plays."