By Bill Nestor
Saying good-bye is never easy, and it becomes more difficult when a relationship has lasted over two decades.
Robert C. Byrd has lost one of the best football coaches in North Central West Virginia. Josh Gorrell stepped down earlier this summer following an impressive run while guiding the Flying Eagle program.
Gorrell began his time at RCB as an assistant for Bryan Fisher. This dynamic duo was extremely successful as the Flying Eagles would earn six postseason appearances before Fisher exited the program. In 2010, Gorrell would take over the reins leading RCB to the playoffs in his second season.
The next level came calling in 2012 and Gorrell answered, taking an assistant position at Fairmont State. Gorrell proved to be a valuable commodity to the Falcon program, but in 2016 his heart led him back to Flying Eagle territory. It was deja vu all over again as Gorrell led his team to the postseason in his second season of his second stint at the Clarksburg based school.
In 2018, Gorrell would claim his first playoff win with a lopsided victory over Shady Spring. Even a second round setback to crosstown rival Bridgeport couldn’t stop the momentum that was building. Gorrell had produced a stable of top shelf running backs led by Jeremiah King. King would eventually become the all-time leading rusher in Harrison County history.
En route to that fine accomplishment, King would spearhead the offensive attack and Gorrell would guide a talented offense on a deep playoff run in 2020. RCB was just one win from playing for a state championship. The Flying Eagles appeared to be a team that had a date with destiny.
However, COVID crashed the party and the pandemic put an end to the season without a loss. There was no closure to the campaign, which left an empty feeling with Flying Eagle Nation.
Most programs would have gone into a downward spiral after being left such a bad hand. Those programs were not led by Josh Gorrell. He rallied the troops the very next year and went on a late season run. In the last two regular season matchups and the first postseason clash, RCB outscored their opponents 143-34. In the next round of the playoffs, the Flying Eagles scored a touchdown to take a late fourth quarter lead at Fairmont Senior. The win was in the bag until teh Polar Bears returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown leaving seconds on the clock. It provided a heartbreaking loss that put an end to another exceptional season.
Fairmont Senior would go on to win the Class AA title that year.
Gorrell has always coached the program with a deep passion, showing his players how much they have meant to him every step of the way. It’s hard to say good-bye to a coach that has given so much to this school, his players, the fans, and to me. Josh and I have been friends since the high school days (that’s 40 years if you are counting) and I have been fortunate to have broadcasted RCB games for 26 years. He has always been gracious with his time, whether it was for interviews or to keep me updated on the pulse of the program. I’ve been fortunate to broadcast his games and to be able to call him a friend.
Gorrell left it all on the field when he played and when he coached. Now he leaves the program to which he gave his heart and soul in position for more playoff runs.
Congratulations and well done, my friend!
