Editor’s Note: The Wheeling Central football preview was inadvertently left out of the 2025 Pigskin Preview. The Times Leader apologizes for the inconvenience, and the Maroon Knights’ football preview is presented here today.

WHEELING — Primed for success.

Wheeling Central posted a sparkling 9-3 mark last year, advancing to the second round of the WVSSAC Class AA playoffs. The Maroon Knights did so with a roster that featured only five seniors.

It is safe to say that National Hall of Fame Coach Mike Young welcomes back a veteran and battle-tested group of gridders. Some 27 players stock the senior and junior classes.

Young, who has guided the Knights to eight WVSSAC championships to go with countless OVAC crowns in his two-plus decades as head coach of his alma mater, is excited and optimistic about the upcoming campaign.

“We are definitely a more experienced team than we have been the past two seasons,” Young noted. “Our numbers are good, and we return some really nice talent.

“With that said, you still have to go out and get it done on the field. You need to work every day to get better,” he continued. “If we can avoid the injuries, which really hurt us last year, I believe we can have a very successful year.”

Making things even more enjoyable for the legendary coach is the fact that Central’s schedule has a much more OVAC flavor this year. The Maroon Knights have added Union Local, Barnesville and Martins Ferry to their card. Unfortunately, at press time, Central has just nine regular-season games scheduled. The Maroon will be competing in Class A in the state of West Virginia.

Central’s offense potentially packs potency. Talented and veteran players are featured at all of the skilled positions while the O-line boasts a host of top-flight blockers.

The quarterback for the Maroon Knights’ offense will be Nico Kusic (6-3, 190). The dual-threat junior exhibited impressive growth after becoming the full-time starter early in the 2024 campaign. He is poised for a banner campaign with a season of starting experience under his belt.

“Nico really improved as the season played out last year. He is seeing the field much better,” Young offered. “Nico is an excellent athlete and great competitor. I expect good things from him this year.”

Kusic is backed up by junior Brady Ernest (5-11, 170) and promising frosh Luke Shutler (5-9, 165), whose father, Zach, was an all-state gridder at St. John Central.

When Young opts to pound the rock, Kusic will have several quality ball-toters to utilize.

The running back stable is topped by the senior Kade Koroneos (5-10, 180). Koroneos enjoyed a productive grid campaign last fall and gives the Knights attack breakaway speed to go with punishing power inside. Koroneos is coming off a stellar baseball season this spring for the state champion Maroon Knights.

Quality depth is provided by the talented duo of senior Wyatt Brady (5-10, 190) and promising junior Dustin Sanner (6-2, 195). Brady is currently dealing with an injury issue sustained last winter during the OVAC Wrestling Tournament.

Additional depth comes in the form of a quartet of sophomores: Robbie Sforza (5-6, 145), Daniel Teahan (5-6, 160), Phillip Zapp (5-9,160) and Luca Benson (5-6, 160).

“I like our running back contingent,” Young said. “We have good experience and depth there.”

Troy Mortakis (6-2, 205) returns as the starting tight end. The rugged senior is a solid blocker and capable receiver. Mortakis is backed up by senior Max Stillion (6-0, 190) and junior Will Wear (5-9, 130).

The wide receiving corps also boasts talent and depth.

The pass-catching group is headed by senior Max Olejasz (6-7, 185). The basketball standout had a breakout campaign last fall, giving the Maroon Knights a big-play, down-the-field threat. His impressive wideout skills has also attracted at least one D-I football offer.

Olejasz is joined in the regular rotation by two other dynamic playmakers in seniors Caleb Golden (6-0, 165) and Joey Hall (5-11, 170). Like Olejasz, both Golden and Hall possess speed to stretch the field.

Other receiver candidates who will see action include senior Paul Stecker (5-5, 125), juniors Levi Rine (5-5, 130), Eli Czapp (5-6, 145) and Joey Jerome (5-11, 150). Additional depth will be provided by sophomores Graham Stecker (5-5, 110), Sam Hammering (5-9, 160) and Alex Miller (5-4, 130).

For any offense to be dynamic, quality play upfront makes it come to fruition. Central will feature an offensive line that is veteran, talented and packs a punch.

Senior Luke Wear (6-7, 285) returns at tackle. Two other starters are back in the fold in juniors Dominic Paesani (5-10, 250) and Olen Ames (5-11, 195). Paesani returns at guard while Ames is again the center after excelling in that role last fall.

Senior Carver Bolon (5-6, 195) will be the fourth starter. Junior Trent Lander (6-1, 230) is vying to round out the starting unit but must fend off challenges from senior Sheldon Raab (5-10, 210), Nino Jerome (5-10, 170), Brennen Maloney (5-10, 205); juniors Seth Wodusky (6-0, 165), Will Morris (6-1, 170), and Cooper Jones (5-11, 270) and sophomore Rocco Jerrome (5-10, 185).

“I like that fact that we have more depth on the offensive line,” Young stated. “I think the line knows its identity and will be more physical this year. They need to set the tone early.”

The Maroon Knights also have a highly effective placekicker in junior Clay Petry (5-8,165). Petry is drawing interest from college recruiters.

Defensively, Central will be running a base 4-4 alignment.

“We will be a 4-4 team but I think we will have the athletes to do a lot of different things this year,” Young said. “I think we will be more aggressive and take more chances this year.”

Mortakis is a fortress at one end. The other end will see Morris, Martin and maybe others earning time.

Paesani, Wear, Lander and Bolon will all split duty at tackle, and all four are top-flight trenchmen.

Olejasz returns at one outside linebacker spot with Koroneos flanking him and Stallion offering support.

The middle backers include Brady, Ernest and Sanner. They team to give Central an active and formidable unit.

Young can utilize a collection of worthy secondary personnel, headed by Hall, Kusic, Jerome, Golden, Rine and Czapp.

Kusic will do the punting.

“The kids have been working hard and doing everything we have asked of them,” Young said. “Our schedule is a challenging one, especially right off the bat. But we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Central opens the season by hosting Union Local before traveling to Fort Frye in Week Two. That is followed by a trip to always formidable Williamstown.

The Maroon Knights scrimmaged Oak Glen and Brooke in the preseason.

Young’s staff is excellent with the bulk of which has been in place for years. They include Jason Rine, Shannon Kuchinski, Jim Wolfe, Phil Pest, Dylan Baker, John Tankovits and Mario DiBias. Braeden Carroll is the athletic trainer, Keith Bell is the statistician and Feliz Bruno is the equipment manager.

SENIORS (12) : Carver Bolon, Wyatt Brady, Caleb Golden, Joey Hall, Kade Koroneos, Brennen Maloney, Troy Mortakis, Max Olejasz, Sheldon Raab, Paul Stecker, Maddox Stillion, Luke Wear.

JUNIORS (15): Olen Ames, Freddie Bossart, Eli Czapp, Brady Ernest, Joey Jerrome, Cooper Jones, Nico Kusic, Trent Landers, Dominic Paesani, Clay Petry, Levi Rine, Dustin Sanner, Will Wear, Michael Wheeler, Seth Wodusky.

SOPHOMORES (8): Luca Benson, Sam Hemmerling, Trenton McCardle, Alex Miller, Will Morris, Robbie Sforza, Graham Stecker, Daniel Teahan, Phillip Zapp.

FRESHMEN (7): Odin Cooley, Chase Guzzi, Andrew Jones, Kyler Koroneos, Dreydon McCardle, Luke Shutler, Karl-El Wilkinson.