Fathers coaching sonsÌý¾±²õ²Ô’tÌýanything new, but olderÌýbrother coaching younger brother is a unique perspective.Ìý
Garrett Comer finds himself in that position as he coaches younger brother Gavin Comer and the rest of the South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Post 94Ìýteam in the American Legion baseballÌýstate tournament, which was to begin Thursday at Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley.Ìý
“It can be frustrating at times,†said Garrett, a West Liberty baseball player who played withÌýGavin during the younger brother’sÌýfreshmanÌýyear at St. Albans. “HeÌý»å´Ç±ð²õ²Ô’tÌýtake me seriously at times.â€Ìý
Gavin, who helped the Red Dragons to the WVSSAC Class AAA state championship this past season, also knows when to fall in line.ÌýÌý
The ComersÌý²¹°ù±ð²Ô’tÌýthe only siblingÌýconnection to the Mad Dogs team, organized by David W. Potter and named in honor of Potter’s grandson Maddox, a GW student who died ofÌýcancer in 2025.Ìý
Tyson Burke is an assistant coach for Post 94 and is the older brother of Braxton Burke, another St. AlbansÌýplayer from this past season who is hoping for a second state championship, if the Mad Dogs can continueÌýwinning.ÌýÌý
WinningÌý³ó²¹²õ²Ô’tÌýbeen a problem. Post 94 boasted a 14-1 mark as play opened on Thursday.ÌýÌý
Comer and Burke are two of four St. Albans players who have played this season for Post 94. They were joined by Brogan SammsÌýand Kayden Riggan this season, although summer vacations will keep those two from playing in the state tournament.ÌýÌý
°Õ³ó±ð°ù±ð’sÌýstill plenty ofÌýtalentÌýto help the team.Ìý
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Garrett ComerÌýbrought along Sissonville players Chase Litton and Knox FranciscoÌýfrom the junior Legion team. Francisco is an incomingÌýfreshmanÌýatÌýSissonville.Ìý
Four players from George Washington’s Class AAAA state championship team — Eli Smith, Ryan Anderson, JoelÌýNelsonÌýand LukeÌýGordon —Ìýare playing in the state tournament. Chuck Kelley had been on theÌýteam,Ìýbut an injury forced him out before the season began.Ìý
Other players on the team for the state tournament include ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Catholic’s Jaxon Kimble, Winfield’s Preston Keiffer, South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s TannerÌýAdkinsÌýand Kayden Hackman and Huntington St. Joe’s Wyatt Pence.Ìý
Despite their record, Garrett Comer said his team may not have the biggest target on its back. That may belong toÌýWheeling Post 1, which is trying to take its third straight American Legion state championship.Ìý
“I expect good baseball,†Comer said. “±õ³Ù’sÌýlike anÌýall-starsÌýfor high school baseball.â€Ìý
IfÌý³Ù³ó±ð°ù±ð’sÌýan area that concerns the Post 94 coach,Ìý¾±³Ù’sÌýback-end pitching, Comer said. However, with six players who canÌýhit at least 90 mph and throw what Comer said was “wicked off-speed stuff,†the Mad Dogs have what their coach thinks is a team thatÌýcan winÌýMonday’s state championship game.Ìý
If they do win, they will advance to the southeast region tournament at Cherryville, North Carolina, for a shot at the American Legion World Series. The last time Post 94 was in the southeastÌýregion wasÌýinÌý2022,Ìýa team Garrett Comer played on andÌýhelped with one win before being eliminated.Ìý
Comer said he thinks Post 94 can take the region championship tooÌýand get his little brotherÌýGavinÌýanother state championship this calendar year.Ìý
