HS Football: Spring Mills senior Xavier Anderson wins Huff Award

Anderson recorded 12 sacks and had seven fumble recoveries for the Cardinals

photo by Teran Malone - WV MetroNews

by Taylor Kennedy

Charleston Gazette-Mail

Spring Mills High School has been around less than 15 years and has never had a football player win a statewide football award.

That has now changed, as 6-foot-7 defensive end Xavier Anderson earns the 2025 Huff Award, as voted by the West Virginia Sportswriters Association, which is given to the states top defensive player.

Anderson finished his senior season with the Cardinals with 41 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

The tall, lengthy player also spent time on offense as a tight end and wide receiver, where he caught 45 passes for 659 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 14.6 yards per catch.

Anderson beat out Independence's Isaiah Conley and Morgantown's Ze'Von Shipman for the Huff Award. Anderson becomes the fifth Eastern Panhandle player to win this award since 2010.

"This means a lot," Anderson said. "This is the biggest award I've won. I'm definitely honored to be given this award."

The 6-foot-7 Cardinal was tabbed as the Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and captain of the Class AAAA first-team all-state defense in 2025.

Anderson's junior season was also one that saw him fill in the stat sheet.

He finished 2024 with 26 catches for 432 yards and nine touchdowns. He had an average of 16.6 yards per catch last season.

In his final three seasons at Spring Mills, Anderson went 28-10, including a 12-2 state runner-up season in 2024.

"Xavier is one of those kids that will change a program," Spring Mills coach Marcus Law said. "I always felt throughout the season that as long as he's on the football field then we're in the game. He's that big of a difference maker. This year was a huge step for him, especially how he matured as a leader for us.

"Back in August, we're sitting out at the field with some of the younger kids and he's out there taking the time out of his day to help out the freshmen. He was giving them tips on how to get better."

Anderson will be continuing his football career at West Virginia University, where he flipped his original commitment from Cincinnati back on Dec. 3, becoming one of 49 other players to sign with the Mountaineers.

Law will be able to give Anderson some more pointers, as the Spring Mills coach also played at WVU for coach Rich Rodriguez from 2003-06.

The Cardinals coach does feel that WVU is getting an ultra-talented two-way player.

"WVU is getting a kid who has a relentless attitude and motor," Law said. "He takes on any challenge and believes he can do it. They're going to find out they've got themselves a player."

Anderson had been committed to the Bearcats since June 7.

However, the Cardinals standout felt more at ease with choosing WVU, especially with Morgantown being closer to the Eastern Panhandle.

"WVU is home," Anderson said. "I'm excited to be playing with my brother. It'll be great to do that again, while also staying close to home to my family and going to school with people that I know. That's my biggest dream."

Anderson's older brother Max spent this past season in Morgantown playing for the Mountaineers as a quarterback.

The former Spring Mills quarterback didn't see any action in 2025, but reuniting with his brother will be memorable for the two.

Anderson mentioned that Max was a big influence on his growth and development while playing at Spring Mills. Max's "high motor" is something Anderson has adopted for himself.

The 6-foot-7 two-way player feels that his game has made massive strides since his freshman season, especially not being an easy target to put on the ground.

"My game has grown a crazy amount," Anderson said. "I remember my freshman year getting pancaked. Now, that doesn't happen anymore. I was a bench player and on special teams early on, but I kept growing and getting better between then and my junior seasons. I give a lot of credit to my work, coaches and teammates."

Anderson is also a member of the Spring Mills boys basketball team, who are coming off a Class AAAA state title last season.