By JOSH STROPE

For The Times Leader

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Magnolia had a solid bounceback season in 2018, advancing to the playoffs and earning a victory before falling to eventual state champion Wheeling Central.

The Blue Eagles were also the only team to knock off the Maroon Knights, beating them in the regular season finale.

Much of that team picked up their diplomas, including quarterback Pat Mirandy and all-everything Sebastian Stickler, leaving Magnolia with some inexperience at key positions.

Throw in a roster with two seniors and 24 players (a low number for a school as rich in tradition as Magnolia), plus a brutal schedule and things could be difficult for the Blue Eagles.

But as Dave Chapman discussed his squad, his smile was as wide as can be. Sure, he knows there may be some growing pains, but he has liked what he has seen through the offseason program and the early days of practice.

“Coming into camp, we knew what the numbers were going to be, but it is not so much about the quantity, but the quality,” Chapman said. “We have 24, it only takes 11 to play and we feel that first 11 will be pretty sound. We are looking for solid backups. We are going to have to plug in some young kids, but that is every year. The young kids have worked hard all summer and have progressed.

“We have that first week off and I view that as a positive. We are building to Sept. 6 at Williamstown, state runner-up and that is a pretty good matchup every year.”

Pat Mirandy could run, throw and was the team’s kicker. He had 2,257 yards of total offense in addition to kicking 30 PATs and a pair of field goals.

His graduation will be tough to replace, but that task is in the hands of junior Caden Cisar (5-foot-10, 150 pounds) and sophomore Brendan Mirandy (5-9, 130), Pat’s younger brother.

“I’ve always said this and it doesn’t matter whether it is junior high, high school, college or pro, it is the guy behind center,” Chapman said. “We are still figuring that out. There is a battle going on there. We will go into the scrimmages and come out of that second scrimmage knowing. I think you have to know.

“The boys know you compete for a spot. There is nothing handed to anybody around here. It will play itself out. We feel pretty good about either one of them.

“Brenden has a little more speed than Caden, kind of like his brother. We will want to get him more out in space. Caden probably throws a little better. It is about managing the huddle and that guy has to be your leader and has to be your general.”

A big help for whoever wins the quarterback job will be who they will be handing off to and protected by.

Junior Jason Beisel (5-4, 140) was the team’s leading rusher last season and will be joined in the backfield by senior James Stillwagoner (5-8, 196).

“They are solid,” Chapman said. “When we’ve been good here, we’ve been able to have that 1-2 punch at tailback and I think we have that this year.

“Jason Beisel is the littlest guy on the field, but that doesn’t measure what he has inside. He had a pretty nice year for us last year, worked hard in the offseason, understands the game, exceptional balance and with real good speed. His cuts are every bit as good as his speed. Heart of a lion. Not the size of the dog, but the fight and Jason has got it.

“James Stillwagoner is coming from the offensive line back to the backfield where we originally had him. And he will be pushing Jason for carries.”

Senior four-year starter Mikey Hamrick will be protecting the blind side at left tackle.

“Mikey will anchor the line and his a first team all-state lineman,” Chapman said.

“He is a 290-pound kid that can move, very athletic.”

Joining him on the other side at right tackle is returner Isaac Keller (5-9, 224).

The middle three will be comprised two of four sophomores — Kolbee Cecil (5-9, 180), Kaleb Starkey (5-7, 160), Joey Dawson (5-10, 210) and Cody Leek (5-8, 180)– and junior Charlie Powell (5-11, 247). Freshmen Spencer Wade and Caleb Lawrence will be backups.

Wide reciever will be a little inexperienced and replacing the playmaking of Sticker will be difficult.

Junior Silas McKeever (6-0, 190) will look to fill Stickler’s role.

“He played pretty sound for us last year as the H-back tight end, so I am splitting him out this year and moving him around,” Chapman said.

Logan Beegle (junior, 5-10, 165) will be the flanker receiver. If Brenden Mirandy doesn’t win the quarterback job, he will likely make his way onto the field as receiver.

Gavin Postlethwait is the team tallest player at 6-4 and will give whoever wins the quarterback job a big red-zone target. Chapman is putting the junior at tight end.

“He has a huge catch radius,” he said. “He has had a great camp. Big target and rangy kid. Don’t be mistaken. He is a tough kid. He showed some things as a sophomore and now coming back as a junior, I think he is a lot more confident in what he can do.”

Magnolia plays a traditional 4-4 attacking defense, bringing guys from everywhere.

Hamrick and Stillwagoner are the leaders of the defense.

Hamrick earned first team all-state and All-Valley from his defensive line spot with 43 tackles, nine for a loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and a recovery.

Powell teams with Hamrick to cause havoc on the opposing offensive line. Keller will be one end, with Dawson or Cecil as the other.

Stillwagoner was in charge of the linebackers, registering 115 total tackles including 13 for a loss and seven sacks.