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Oklahoma, WVU picked to play for Big 12 title

By JIM BUTTA Special to The Times Leader MORGANTOWN – When the 10 head coaches from the Big 12 got together for the league’s annual preseason Media Days in Frisco, Texas, there was little surprised when the media covering the conference released its first poll of the year. Oklahoma, which had been selected to win the title the past two seasons, was again chosen to take home the trophy when the league conducts its championship game on Saturday, December 1. The Sooners garnered 46 of the 52 first-place votes to distance themselves from the rest of the field. Surprisingly, Dana ...

Linsly primed for another big year

By BUBBA KAPRAL Executive Sports Editor WHEELING — The 2017 grid season was a very special one for Linsly. The ensuing campaign could be another. The Cadets rolled to a 9-2 mark en route to claiming the OVAC 3A championship. Coach B.J. Depew’s charges pocketed several impressive victories in putting together a nine-game winning streak. The Cadets downed Ohio-playoff qualifiers Martins Ferry, Shadyside and River along with eventual West Virginia state champion Wheeling Central. Although Depew must replace some key pieces against a new-look formidable schedule, the Cadets ...

Wheeling Park’s strength lies up front

By JOSH STROPE For The Times Leader WHEELING — Coaches around the state have been waiting for the day former Wheeling Park quarterback Cross Wilkinson graduated. That day has come but don’t expect Wheeling Park to be “easy pickings.” In fact, Patriots coach Chris Daugherty is thrilled with what he has seen from his squad and feels this is a team that will be right in the thick of things once the season kicks off tonight with a road game against rival Brooke. “Any time you lose the quarterback you lost, the receivers, the two tailbacks, you immediately wonder ‘how do we ...

Wheeling Central primed for another title run

By JOSH STROPE For The Times Leader WHEELING — Mike Young will be the first one to tell you that “expectations are always high” at Wheeling Central. And coming off a state championship, they are about as sky-high as you could imagine. “This is definitely a group we are proud of what they accomplished, but we also lost some great senior leadership and some outstanding young men,” Young said. “We have a nice group coming back that played a huge role in that state championship. “Expectations at Central are always high. This year is no different. But last year is what we ...

Buckeye Trail is now fully buying in

By RICK THORP Times Leader Sports Writer OLD WASHINGTON — When Donnie Kerns took over the Buckeye Trail football program one of the things he wanted to do was change the culture. “I wanted the ‘buy in’” Kerns, entering his third season at his alma mater, said. “We had a lot of ‘August 1’ guys.” Basically, Kerns wanted to see players make football a year-round endeavor and not just show up when practice starts wanting to play. “We’ve done that,” Kerns said. The nearly 40 players that will take the field Friday night at the Baker Activity Complex when the ...

Lowery takes over at Cambridge

By BUBBA KAPRAL Executive Sports Editor CAMBRIDGE — Josh Lowery did a superb job of leading Cambridge as a quarterback. Now, the affable 34-year-old steps into the role as the Bobcats’ head coach. Lowery takes over for Kevin Gunn who resigned after last season, just a year after being named the Eastern District coach-of-the-year and leading the Bobcats into the playoffs. Lowery, who previously served as Cambridge head baseball coach, embraces his new challenge while understanding the position brings with it much more responsibility. “It feels different for sure (being a head ...