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’Jackets Honored

Wtown quartet named all-state first teamers

Photo by Neal Smith Williamstown’s Ty Moore slices through the Doddridge County defense in a 2019 Class A state tournament semifinal two weeks ago in West Union. Moore was one of four Yellowjackets named to the classification’s all-state first team as voted on by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

WEST UNION — For most of the latter part of the 2019 season, Doddridge County held the No. 1 rating in Class A football.

Although the Bulldogs fell in the Class A title game to perennial powerhouse Wheeling Central, 38-21, this past Saturday, Doddridge’s 13-1 season didn’t go unrewarded.

Five Bulldogs were named to the Class A All-State Football team as chosen by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

Dynamic running back Hunter America was named captain of the first-team offense, while Wheeling Central linebacker Adam Murray earned that honor on defense.

Both had outstanding seasons.

America rushed for 2,176 yards and 25 touchdowns on 307 carries. He capped off his senior year by throwing a 30-yard touchdown pass to fellow first-teamer Griffin Devericks.

“In Doddridge County will remember Hunter America for many, many years to come,” Doddridge County coach Bobby Burnside said. “He’s a special player who has made so many big plays over his career.

“He’s very deserving of this honor.”

Murray, a key cog in Central’s third-straight title, was the rock on which the Maroon Knights’ stellar defense was built on.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior led Central with 153 tackles and 20 tackles for loss, and ended his career with more than 600 tackles, a school record.

“He’s one of the greatest kids I’ve coached in all my years in the business,” Wheeling Central coach Mike Young said.

“He’s put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into Wheeling Central football.

“His motor started running his freshman year and it has never stopped. The fact that he’s our school’s all-time leading tackler speaks for itself.”

In addition to Devericks, who caught 42 passes for 992 yards and 11 touchdowns, Doddridge also had lineman Cole James named to the first team offense.

The remainder of the first-team offense includes quarterback Ethan Varney of Tug Valley, Noah Brown of Greenbrier West and Ty Moore of Williamstown in the backfield, with Tyler Consolidated’s Mark Rucker, Parkersburg Catholic’s Jeb Boice and Greenbrier West’s Cole McClung the utility players. Varney’s favorite target, Caleb May, was the other receiver.

Moore was a big reason Williamstown made the semifinals, as he rushed for 1,969 yards and 24 touchdowns.

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