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LOST CREEK, W.Va. — By winning eight games in 2024, South Harrison enjoyed the winningest season for the program since a ten-win campaign in 2017. The Hawks gave Bluefield all they could handle in the opening round of the playoffs before falling by two points, 20-18.
“It was the second playoff appearance in three years. Last year, we were able to go down there and compete with one of the best programs in the state. It was a true 50-50 game. They made an extra play down the stretch than we did,” said South Harrison head coach Brett Hathaway. “That’s something we are hopeful we can build on going into this year.”
One of the top priorities for Brett Hathway throughout the summer is to find new linemen to step in, particularly on the outside.
“We have a couple kids back — Charles Langford, Wyatt Koontz — they started at guard and center for us last year. So we’ve got a couple guys on the interior. We’ve got some other guys that we are pretty confident can fill out the interior. We are looking for a couple tackles to step in and play a big part. We’re just going to give a bunch of kids the opportunity come practice in August and those scrimmages. That’s what it is for.”
“I have seen some younger guys step up,” said South Harrison senior lineman Charles Langford. “I feel like they can fill their roles pretty well if they stick to their core rules and end up playing like champs.”
Despite the departure of all-state running back Jaden Hatfield to Elkins, the Hawks return a number of experienced skill players. Zane Harlow rushed for 637 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago.
“We are very confident in at least three of our running backs, if not more than that,” Hathaway said. “We’ve got Zane Harlow, who has been getting carries for two years. Shepard Paugh has probably earned more touches than what he has gotten. He is a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball and has been for two years now.
“Between those three guys of [Xavier] Tustin, Paugh and Harlow, we are very confident of what we have back there.”
The Hawks expect to utilize a mix of formations in their run-heavy offense, switching between the stick-I and the pistol.
“We would love the opportunity to go back and forth,” Hathaway said. “If we can do that, it might depend on the matchup. It might depend on who has the hot hand. It might just depend on trying to spread defenses out a little bit. We feel like we’ve got some guys that can catch the ball as well. It is just trying to be a little more diverse.”
Starting quarterback Christopher Pedraza returns. He accounted for ten total touchdowns in his sophomore season.
“He did a good job last year,” Hathaway said. “I think he threw for over six-hundred yards out of the stick, which was a pretty good number for us. He knows the offense well. He knows what to do there. We are hoping to factor him in on defense somewhere as well this year.”
As the Hawks look for their third playoff appearance in four seasons, they will be tested regularly in the second half of their schedule. Their five opponents in weeks 5-9 qualified for the postseason last fall.
“We were right there,” Hathaway said. “But right there is not good enough. We’ve got to be able to get over the hump. The kids are excited. The community is excited. We’re excited as a coaching staff to see if we can do that this year.”