By Bill Nestor
It is finally here! High School football season starts tonight as Robert C. Byrd plays host to Keyser in a rare Thursday night lock-up. This is a huge game for the Flying Eagles when recent seasons are taken into consideration.
A year ago, RCB suffered a 28 to nothing setback and wen ton to a three and seven record. In 2021 and 2022, a pair of losses led to a combined 11 and nine mark with the Golden Tornado outsourcing the Flying Eagles 70 to 34. In 2019 a 56 to seven loss to Keyser to start the year led to a five and five finish. Overall, Robert C. Byrd is four and six versus the Golden Tornado with a two and three record at One Eagle Way.
The last win in the series for the Flying Eagles came at home in 2018 in week three by a 20 to 14 score. RCB went on to a nine and three record, the second best that program has seen since then, proving the significance of this early season battle. Last season’s shut out ruined Austin Scott’s head coaching debut. It led to three more consecutive losses to Fairmont Senior, Preston, and Bridgeport. Those setbacks came by a combined 138 to 48 score.
Scott’s first victory came in week five on the road at Oak Glen. Another losing streak followed with two of those three opponents (Lincoln and Phillip Barbour) making the playoffs. A rash on injuries followed the Flying Eagles from the pre-season throughout the entire season. Down the stretch, Scott and his staff made some impressive adjustments that led to a strong finish.
Back to back wins over Liberty and Elkins led Robert C. Byrd out on a positive note. The Flying Eagles played their best ball late, outsourcing the Mountaineers and the Tigers 70 to 27, giving Scott and his squad momentum heading into the offseason.
RCB comes into this campaign with several key players returning. The bigs up front are in solid shape with four starters from a year ago coming back. Armondo Montero, Julian Bailey, Trevor Dean, and Logan Fordyce return and are joined by Logan Frum. Frum missed all of last year due to injuries after being a major contributor in 2022. Quarterback Junior Smith didn’t start the opener against Keyser, but went on to guide the offense for the remainder of the year as a freshman. Smith threw for 559 yards and seven scores.\
Leading receiver Rylan Rock (19 receptions) was lost to graduation. However, a pair of deep threat big play pass catchers in Cam Newsaun and Kobe Duarter return. Newsaun only played the last few games a year ago, but hauled in 13 balls, including three touchdowns. Kobe Duarte pulled in seven passes, including a score with a 17.3 yard average per reception.
The rushing game is important to Scott (he is a former standout running back at the school) and he has one of the area’s best in senior Lattrell Jones. Jones battled an ankl;e injury throughout 2023, but still managed to rush for a team best 798 yards on 158 carries. The impressive 5.1 average per gain also led to eight rushing touchdowns. Jones is a multidimensional weapon out of the backfield, finishing third a year ago in receptions with 11 total.
This opener once again carries great weight because of the tremendous early season schedule. Week two brings Fairmont Senior to Clarksburg. After a road trip to Liberty, the Flying Eagles host Preston befor e pivotal visit to cross town rival Bridgeport in week five.
That will do it for now. Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!