by Allen Hamrick
The CCHS football season began Monday, August 1, with an exciting new opportunity to represent the community.
The Panthers proudly announce that more than 45 players have joined the team for this season. There are many players returning to the squad and many new faces joining the squad for the upcoming season. The Panther staff is very excited about the challenge of finding new CCHS greats to replace the recent legends from last year’s graduating class.
The team has moved into the old fitness center, and it has been a challenge as the staff worked 12-14 days to get everything ready to go. Many of the players showed up to work at the facility despite the challenges they faced with their own homes and property.
Help continues to arrive, as groups from Midland Trail High School showed up to assist in the move. A team of players from Braxton County High brought equipment down and worked on fixing many of the issues with the field at Bradley Field. Coaching staffs from Roane, Sherman High, Parkersburg High, Doddridge, Tucker, Musselman High, and Poca High School have also showed up to lend a helping hand.
Many other schools sent supplies for our players, including Elyria Catholic, Clay-Battelle, Martinsburg, Rowan, Kentucky, Washington, Jefferson, Nitro, Berkeley Springs, South Harrison, St Mary’s, Buchanan Upshur, Wheeling Park, and countless others that have donated to our team.
Recently, a group from Woodmen Life Insurance donated a Kawasaki Mule Side by Side to the team. Horace Mann Insurance and Nancy Updegrave purchased over $2,000 worth of media equipment. BB&T bank bought over $1,700 worth of equipment. The Panthers know that many others have helped and they certainly appreciate the generosity in this most difficult time. The season would have been in jeopardy if not for these groups, along with WVU, Marshall, Florida State, and Alabama coming to the aid of CCHS.
On Tuesday, August 9, the Panthers will have the trip of a lifetime as the Pittsburgh Steelers have invited us to watch them practice against the Detroit Lions. This event will include autograph sessions and an opportunity to meet many NFL players. Antwan Sorrells of WV Wesleyan was instrumental in seeing that CCHS players had this amazing opportunity. The Panthers recognize the importance of this upcoming season. They have been working hard all week in practice to give all they have for the people of Clay County.
We hope to see many in the stands Saturday, August 13, at 10 a.m., as CCHS takes on the Dots of Poca for the first scrimmage of the season.