HS Football: Bradyn Waldron leads week one spotlight efforts; named Player of the Week

Waldron accumulated over 300 yards of total offense and accounted for four touchdowns

The first week of the high school football season is in the books and as expected there were some great games and a few surprises.

Independence and James Monroe opened the 2025 campaign with a pair of big wins.

The Patriots started the season as the No. 2 ranked team in double-A and welcomed Class AAA No. 3 Herbert Hoover to Coal City.

A substantial early lead turned into a fourth quarter deficit, similar to last year when Independence stumbled in Elkview. This time, however, the Coal City boys bounced back with a game-winning drive to open the season with a bang.

The Mavericks were scheduled to play Williamstown at Glenville State University before stadium renovations moved the game to Roane County High School.

Similar to its Raleigh County neighbors, James Monroe jumped out quick lead, only to see the Yellowjackets storm back to take a 25-19 lead in the final quarter.

A 45-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Mann to Bryce Gardinier, along with a blocked field goal attempt from Brock Parker in the final seconds gave the AA No. 6 Mavs a 26-25 win over the No. 4 ranked Yellowjackets.

Beckley followed a similar theme building a 20-0 lead, but entered the fourth-quarter tied with Washington. Three scores down the stretch put the Flying Eagles in the win column on a night where they named the field after legendary head coach Pete Culicerto and inducted four-year starter Ian Pomeroy into the Hall of Fame.

Nicholas County and Oak Hill always seems to be a nail-biter and Friday was no different.

The Grizzlies led 17-14 with under two minutes to play when Carson Treadway reeled in a 40-yard pass from Luke Endicott for the game-winner.

Shady Spring had no trouble in its opener against St. Albans with a 40-0 win, while Greenbrier East built a big lead before some last scores from Riverside made the game look closer than it really was in the end.

Midland Trail also took care of business over Clay County, 41-13.

The Battle for The Golden Shovel appeared to be a tight battle this year on paper, but it did not play out that way.

Wyoming East mistakes and a huge night from first-time varsity starter Bradyn Waldron sent Westside to a dominant 54-6 win for the fourth straight year.

Head coach Will Daniels expressed extreme confidence in his sophomore signal-caller who had waited patiently behind Kadien Vance.

In a scene that could have easily been too big for him, Bradyn Waldron was spectacular completing 8-of-11 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. The elusive youngster also ran for 55 yards on six carries and another score.

For his efforts in week one, Waldron is being named the inaugural SportswithRusty.com Player of the Week.

The other week one spotlight performances were:

Beckley

Gage Price was 13-18 for 193 yards and 3 touchdowns

Gage Burdette ran the ball 20 times for 176 and 2 touchdowns. Burdette also had 6 total tackles and 2 sacks

Jaheem Miller had 3 totes for 101 yards

Preston Clary caught 6 balls for 126 and two touchdowns

Shady Spring

Blake Snodgrass had 21 carries for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. Snodgrass also recorded 2 catches for 30 yards.

Kaiden Helmer had 13 totes for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Independence

The Patriot defense collected 8 sacks and 4 turnovers with two of the thefts resulting in touchdowns.

Brock Green was 14-26 passing for 234 yards and 2 scores

K.J. Viars was impressive in his first high school game with 5 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown

James Monroe

Ryan Mann carried the ball 20 times for 56 yards a touchdown. Mann was also 11-14 through the air for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Midland Trail

Aiden Weis had 9 rushes for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Jamison Swafford caught 6 balls for 107 yards and a score, plus he had an interception on defense

Zander Ooten recorded 3.5 sacks

Oak Hill

Luke Endicott completed 10 of 17 attempts for 170 yards and 2 scores and also had a rushing touchdown

Carson Treadway caught two balls for 80 yards along with the game-winning touchdown

Greenbrier East

A.J. Godfrey carried the load for the Spartans with 31 carries for 182 yards and 2 scores

Westside

Malachi King recovered 2 fumbles, one for a touchdown

Cam Perry had 2 grabs for 127 yards

Nicholas County

Devin Nash carried the ball 28 times for 148 yards and a touchdown. Nash also had 14 tackles and an interception on defense.

Princeton

Chance Barker completed 17 of 28 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown.

Brad Mosser had 10 receptions for 166 yards and one score.