You’d probably be hard pressed to find even the most loyal and knowledgeable West Virginia or Union Local fan who would admit he or she thought Colton McKivitz would end up as the focal point of the Mountaineers’ opening game.

After all, McKivitz plays along the offensive line, he was listed a backup entering the Mountaineers’ game against Missouri and he’d never set foot on the field for a live game at the collegiate level.

However, the 2015 Union Local High School graduate has shown since the time he first arrived in Morgantown that he’s not just there to be a face in the crowd. With a work ethic second to none, McKivitz earned WVU’s Scout Team Player of the Year as a redshirt last season, had a tremendous spring and carried that into summer camp where he challenged for a starting spot.

Now, as a date with the Youngstown State Penguins looms on Saturday, McKivitz is officially a starter at left tackle.

“It’s really no different than last week,” McKivitz said earlier this week. “I have to have the same approach and we respect all opponents.”

McKivitz drew high praise from Mountaineers’ head coach Dana Holgorsen after the victory. Not only for the way he went in and performed, but for the way he handled Missouri defensive lineman Charles Harris, who is widely regarded as a legitimate future NFL player.

“I think I did alright, but I am pretty hard on myself,” McKivitz said. “There are always things to work on and improve on.”

McKivitz was asked about the opportunity to run block more after Holgorsen announced that the Mountaineers may “run the ball 99 percent of the time” this week against the Penguins.

“We like getting to hit people instead of just pass blocking all the time,” McKivitz said. “We have to have everyone on the same page. It’s all about trust up front and I think we have that right now.”

Last Saturday was also the collegiate debut for St. Clairsville graduate Michael Ferns, who transferred to WVU after spending his freshman season at Michigan. He saw time at fullback and on special teams. He’s listed as the backup fullback once again this week on the depth chart.

Along with McKivitz and Ferns, Meadowbrook grad Josh Sills was listed as the backup right tackle. He was expected to redshirt, but because of the injuries, he’s climbed to the fourth tackle spot.

“He’s going to be up with us playing some ball now. He was our fifth tackle and a scout team guy last week. He’s our fourth tackle and we’ll see what happens,” Holgorsen said.

Here’s a look at other area graduates and how they’re faring at the collegiate level:

Football

DIVISION I

AUSTIN DORRIS, Indiana — Shadyside High graduate saw a lot of action in the Hoosiers’ season-opening win at Florida International. Dorris, who is playing with a cast on his arm, was targeted once for a pass. He is listed as the back-up tight end on this week’s depth chart.

ROSS COMIS, UMass — Madonna High product completed 9-of-17 passes for 141 yards. He rushed for the lone Minutemen touchdown in their loss at Florida.

NAJEE MURRAY, Kent — Steubenville High grad had a solid season opener in a loss at Penn State. He had four tackles, including two for loss. He also broke up two passes.

JERRID MARHEFKA, Ohio — St. Clairsville graduate appeared in the Bobcats’ triple overtime loss to Texas State last weekend.

CHUCKWUDI CHUCKWU, Ohio — Linsly School grad had a tackle and a forced fumble in his first appearance in a Bobcats’ uniform. He red-shirted last season.

DIVISION II

MATT KINNICK, West Virginia State — St. Clairsville graduate had a solid opener, but it came in a loss for the Yellow Jackets. He completed 22-of-38 passes for 345 yards and threw two touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 25 yards.

DAN MONTEROSO, West Liberty — St. Clairsville product’s debut for the Hilltoppers resulted in 2 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown that covered 43 yards.

COREY ERNEST, West Liberty — St. Clairsville product saw action along the offensive line for the Hilltoppers.

ROBERT VARGO, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry graduate started along the Panthers’ offensive line at right tackle.

MATT BARBOUR, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry product saw action in the Panthers’ loss at Ferris State last Thursday in his first collegiate game.

MATT PETRELLA, Ohio Dominican — Steubenville grad appeared in the game at Ferris State.

MICHAEL BERARDI, West Liberty — John Marshall graduate started along the offensive line for the Hilltoppers in their loss last week.

CLIFFORD CLARK, West Liberty — Cambridge product had five tackles from his linebacker spot in the Hilltoppers’ loss.

ALEC BUCHMELTER, West Virginia Wesleyan — Ex-Brooke standout had one tackle in the Bobcats’ season-opening loss at Shepherd.

DIVISION III

DAULTON FREEMAN, Bethany — St. Clairsville graduate set a school record in last week’s victory with three interceptions. He also had eight tackles, including one for loss.

CHASE KINEMOND, Bethany — Ex-Shadyside standout had an impressive debut as the Bison starting quarterback. He completed 21-of-37 passes for 180 yards. He rushed 14 times for 28 yards and a touchdown.

CHRISTIAN WITCHEY, St. Vincent — St. Clairsville product made his collegiate debut as the Bearcats’ starting punter last Saturday in a 47-24 victory. He punted five times for an average of 40.2 yards per kick and had a long of 58 yards. Three of his efforts were downed inside the 20-yard line.

DALTON SECHREST, Marietta — Beallsville graduate posted four tackles, including one sack in the Pioneers’ loss to Denison last Saturday.

TANNER CLARK, Marietta — Ex-Caldwell standout made his college debut in a bevy of ways. He had four punts for a 36.5 yard average, including a long of 48. He also returned three kickoffs for 77 yards.

BRETT ROSEN, Muskingum — Former River standout had one tackle in the Muskies’ victory at Waynesburg.

VON WOODING, Oberlin — Linsly School graduate made his college debut an impressive one with three tackles, including one for loss and a forced fumble.

Golf

ADAM JEFFRIES, Alderson-Broaddus — St. Clairsville grad finished second in the AB Fall Invitational last Saturday at Bel Meadow Golf Club. Jeffries carded rounds of 71 and 79 en route to his finish.

SETH VANNOY, Aderson-Broaddus — St. Clairsville grad finished sixth in the AB Fall Invitational last weekend, which was second on the squad. He finished with rounds of 81 and 74.

Soccer

ZACH OLIVER, Thiel — St. Clairsville product scored goals in the Tomcats’ victory over D’Youville last Monday.

Volleyball

EMILY SMITH, Fairleigh-Dickinson (Florham) — Former St. Clairsville ace has appeared in six sets at the Division III school. She has recorded eight kills and eight points.

If you know of other Ohio Valley products playing any fall sport at any level, please feel free to drop me a line via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com or at twitter.com/TLSportsSeth