HS Football: Beckley quarterback Gage Price looks to carry baseball success to the gridiron

Price will be in year two as the Flying Eagles signal-caller

picture courtesy of Heather Belcher

The past few months have been a balancing act for Beckley two-sport standout Gage Price.

Mixing High School and American Legion baseball with summer football workouts, the rising junior, however, has handled it masterfully.

Along with not missing a single off-season football workout, Price was a key player for the state champion Beckley Post 32 Top Prospects Junior Legion team.

"It feels good both ways, both baseball and football," Price said. "It was big to win the championship since it was the first time (Beckley) fielded a (Junior Legion) team since 2007. I don't think anyone expected us to go out and win it, but we did."

Playing alongside high school rivals and opponents, Post 32 quickly meshed into the top Junior Legion team in the state.

"It came together pretty quick really," Price said about the team chemistry. "A lot of guys play together, but I really hadn't played with many of therm. We just clicked right away."

While the state title is clearly the biggest accomplishment of the season, Price also had a game for the ages against Morgantown in the Mountaineer Country Invitational back in late June.

A catcher most of the high school season, as well as the majority of his time in legion ball, Price stepped on the hill and fired a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts.

"I pitched maybe 15 innings or so in the high school season. It wasn't a lot. I caught most of the games," Price said. "I struck out like five in a row and kept it rolling. I almost lost it in the bottom of the seventh though. A kid roped one down the line and Sam Barnett made a crazy play and saved me. I went up to him after the game and gave him a big ol' hug."

Even though he is an extremely talented catcher, Price admits, football is his top priority.

Last year Price was thrust into the starting quarterback role, ideally ahead of schedule, and as expected, there were good nights and some nights he would like to have back.

In the run dominated offense as a sophomore, Price still threw for two touchdowns against Parkersburg South and Bluefield, and one against Oak Hill and Greenbrier East.

Now, with a full year of experience under his belt, Price is in a much better place entering the 2025 football season.

"I just feel a lot more confident. I know what I can do now and I know what I need to improve on too," Price said. "I am more confident running the ball and throwing the ball. I know I can trust everyone of my receivers too."

This year, Price will have a dual role for Beckley who took its heaviest losses at linebacker due to graduation.

The good news is playing linebacker is not completely new to the Flying Eagles signal-caller, but there will again, be an adjustment period.

"It is going to be hard to be like them for real," Price explained. "Guys like Konnor (Ray), Jacob (Reeves), Bryce (Ford) and Landon (Jones), there was a lot of them. They all played hard and were tough. We had some really good players last year, but we have some guys that will fill some shoes."

"I played linebacker all the way up to my freshman year. Freshman year I played a little bit of defensive end. The only part that is new is the calls. I will need to learn them and get used to the defensive side of high school football. Once I get comfortable I will be fine. Usually opponents are trying to take me out, now it's the other way around."

Beckley opens the season Friday, August 29 at Van Meter Stadium against Washington before hosting Greenbrier East in week two.