Taylor Kennedy: What's in store for Kanawha Valley football teams this fall?

It's that time of the year again, when teams are gearing up for another season and vying for a chance to play in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä the first weekend of December.

The Kanawha Valley has seen two teams, Herbert Hoover and Nitro, reach the state finals in the two years since that event returned to ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, but neither has taken home the title.

Can that change this year? Are there local teams that can hoist a state championship trophy?

We did see several teams climb up a level last season, which we'll get into in a second.

But what are some of the top storylines regarding Kanawha Valley teams leading into the upcoming season?

Can Buffalo, Sissonville keep it up?

The Bison were mere playoff percentage points short of making the postseason for the first time in almost a decade.

However, Buffalo was left out of the playoffs with a 7-3 record.

The Bison, led by second-year coach Andy Anderson, lost several vital contributors from last season's group, including quarterback Hunter Rutan and wideout Nathan Harris.

Those two put up video-game numbers. But it's now time for Anderson to figure out where the pieces go and what will help Buffalo again in 2026.

The Indians pieced together an important season in Mike Hughes' first year in the Ville.

The Indians went 5-5 last season and ended a 21-game losing streak on Sept. 4 against Tolsia, 20-19.

Sissonville, unlike Buffalo, does return its quarterback in Maddox Balog. The Indians will fight for a spot in the playoffs and look to make it for the first time since 2020.

Could GW make serious noise?

A 9-3 season certainly left veteran coach Steve Edwards Jr. with a smile on his face, but George Washington was still eager to get further than the second round of the playoffs.

The Patriots took down Oak Hill, 58-14, in the first round before falling to Jefferson, 28-21.

George Washington brings back plenty of weapons to help compete for a Class AAAA title.

GW welcomes back the reigning Kanawha Valley Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year Jaden Black, who rushed for 1,596 yards and 26 touchdowns.

He'll have a great offensive line to run behind, with key contributors James Payne and Brayden Coulter.

GW's schedule is somewhat favorable, but games against South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Princeton and Huntington could be battles.

First-year coach at Nitro

The Wildcats' 2025 season was one to remember in many ways.

Nitro went 12-2 and finished as state runner-up to Princeton in the Class AAA championship game.

However, the Wildcats said goodbye to coach Boom McKinney, who retired a few months after the conclusion of the season.

The job was then awarded to Collin Beckner, who had been on McKinney's staff the last few seasons.

Beckner is the sixth Nitro coach since 2010.

Beckner will have a tough task ahead of him assembling a team after the graduations of a plethora of talented seniors, including receiver Malachi Thompson and offensive lineman Da'Ron Parks.

History certainly isn't on Beckner's side either, as first-year Nitro coaches have won an average of 1.6 games. Yikes.

Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself, but games against South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Herbert Hoover, Wheeling Central and Winfield won't be easy.

Could SC finish in the top 16?

South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä has made the playoffs 13 times since 2005.

However, the Black Eagles have done so just twice since 2020 and haven't won a playoff game since their 57-18 victory over Princeton in 2020.

South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä won two games last season in Donnie Mays' first season back, which is a significant improvement because SC went winless in 2023 and 2024.

The Black Eagles are never one to count out, especially if Mays is roaming the sidelines.

SC's schedule isn't a cakewalk though, as the Black Eagles are scheduled to play Chapmanville, Winfield, George Washington, Herbert Hoover and Princeton.

Deep runs for Hoover, Winfield?

The Huskies and Generals faced off in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs last season, with Herbert Hoover eliminating Winfield, 56-18.

The Generals bring back a solid quarterback-running back duo in Jared Miller and Gannon Boggs. They combined for 1,596 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns last season.

Winfield has made the playoffs in three of coach Eddie Smolder's four seasons.

Herbert Hoover, like Winfield, features a gantlet of a schedule, playing teams like Fairmont Senior in the season opener, as well as Woodrow Wilson, South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, Princeton and Huntington.

The Huskies welcome several transfers to make a talented roster heading into the upcoming season.