WINFIELD, W.Va. — Year-to-year momentum can clearly be quantified at Winfield High School. The Generals won ten games last fall. That’s the most for the program since 1988 when they played in the Class AA final. Last year’s success has produced record numbers of players in preseason camp this fall.
“We’ve got some new kids out of the hallways too that came back out. They hadn’t played in a year or two,” Winfield head coach Smolder said. “They’re giving it a shot. So I am excited about what we have. We have 70 kids on our team, which is the most players Winfield has ever had on a roster in history. We are proud of that. We want as many kids as we can get to play. But my mind is that we have to find eleven guys that get it done on a high level.”
The Generals won ten consecutive games and earned the No. 1 seed in the Class AA playoffs before they fell to eventual state runner-up Herbert Hoover in the quarterfinals. Smolder says the beginning and the end of the 2022 season is a distant memory.
“It was a great year last year. We’re proud of what we’ve done. That year is gone now and it is a brand new season. In 2023, we’re focused on the task at hand and getting one percent better each day, to be honest with you.”
Smolder is entering his second season guiding the Generals. He says installing schemes and fundamentals must also be matched by creating program values.
“I feel like we have great culture with our coaching staff. And we have great coaches that love kids and want them to succeed and treat them like their own. Kids are drawn to that.”
Several starting spots on both lines are up for grabs and most of the starting skill players have graduated. New quarterback Chase Massey will be asked to engineer an offense that averaged over 40 points a game last season.
“He is a dual-threat kid so he can run our offense. He can also throw it when we need to. He is a great kid and a hard worker. We’re glad he’s on our team.”
Smolder will be counting on a handful of seniors to lead an offense that will continue to rely heavily on the ground game.
“It all starts with our center Caleb Kuhl. He is a three-year starter. He played tackle last year but we moved him to center. He’s our gel and our glue on the offensive line. He is just a great kid from a great family. He works really hard and wants it bad. So he is our leader up front with Toby Laughery, our returning tight end. Other seniors are K-Juan Pierson. He is doing a really good job. And Jayce Miller.”