Pocahontas County High School Football Begins Season

Dunmore, WV – Monday marked the beginning of the first full-week of football practice at Pocahontas County High School. For seven hours daily, players have come out, strapped on their pads, and buckled down to begin the 2010 football campaign.

The preseason is a time for player conditioning and learning the playbook. It is also a time for Head Coach Mike Knisely and his staff to evaluate and finalize the team of players that will represent Pocahontas County High School.

“You want to see a lot of enthusiasm,” says Knisely. “You want to see who will step up and be a leader and take the role as coach on the field. You want to see who has the drive to go out there and take ownership of a position. We definitely have some competition for positions which is good.”

Along with evaluating and organizing the team, preseason is also a time to find leaders and those who will take command of the huddle. Knisely believes that finding captains isn’t a challenge when your players set out to distinguish themselves with quality play and teamwork.

“They separate themselves,” says Knisely, “from the way they help younger kids to getting everyone going. They usually show you who they are.”

Knisely has a good group to select from. The Warriors will be led this year by returning All-State and preseason All-State selection Evan Rose. Rose will be joined on the field by RB Jesse Hoke, LB Seth Doss, and WR Tanner Graham.

The Warriors will look to improve upon their 3-7 record from last year and with all the talent coming back the Warriors are in good shape of doing that. But despite the talent returning, for Knisely, remaining healthy and avoiding attrition will be the key to a successful season.

“With limited numbers,” says Knisely, “you have to keep people healthy. We had a couple of injuries last year, nothing serious, but they missed games and it hurt us. We have to keep people on the field.”

The Warriors first game is August 27 against Tucker.