By Allen Hamrick
The 2025 West Virginia North-South All-Star Football Classic game is now in the annals of sports history. This game is an opportunity for the best players and coaches in the state to hit the field and butt heads in a war of the regions considered North and those considered South. When the smoke cleared, as most already know, the Cardinals beat the Bears in a nail biting 29-22 back-and-forth brawl, southern style. The event had a life of its own with many activities occurring prior to the matchup as players and coaches faced off in the bowling arena as well as doing other aspects associated with the game.
Three members of the CCHS football team were chosen to play and coach in the Superbowl of High School football in West Virginia. Head Coach Jason Nichols was selected to ramrod the South team, Coach Brian Collins was chosen to be the voice of power and offensive manipulation as assistant coach of the southern team, and CCHS quarterback Noah Collins was picked because plainly said, he’s one of the best QBs in the state.
There has already been a plethora of words written, interviews given, and social media posts galore to highlight their exploits, so it doesn’t leave much new to include in the Clay Free Press. People have discussed it in schools, over coffee, watched it on the news and various other digital formats. However, for this writer, there is a lot more to say about these individuals than the typical accolades of records and achievements that gave each one of these coaches and players the chance at high school football greatness; to play and coach in the North-South football game.
Coach Nichols is the winningest coach in CCHS history, has had multiple shots at the title in playoff berths, holds a 64-27 record, etc. Coach Collins led one of the strongest offenses in the state last season.
Quarterback Noah Collins- it is difficult to write in this article and convey what Noah Collins has meant to the football programs from Little League to CCHS. The number of awards and records he has achieved, if piled up, would fill a room. While all these are a testament to their skills in the fine art of football, it is not what measures their success and the level of football they have reached.
I am sure that Coach Nichols would agree that being a head coach is a lot more than just knowing and reading plays; it’s about taking teenagers who think with their brains but roll through life doing everything from their hearts. A good coach finds a happy medium between life and sport and helps players focus that energy on positive outcomes. Jason Nichols and Brian Collins have been there through the thick and the thin to make sure the CCHS football teams are the best they can be and help transition boys into men through positive mentoring. Brian Collins has been a force in sports from wrestling to football; from Little League to high school level, he has been there for the youth of this county. Noah Collins is a product of that type of mentoring and has become among the best of the best in his sport. Therein lies their true success, after all. Congratulations to Coach Nichols and Coach Collins for proving that Clay County is a force to reckon with.
Congratulations to Noah Collins for proving that through hard work and determination an individual can achieve most anything they set their mind to. The football fans of the county will watch as you take the field at UC Stadium in the fall. I’m sure you will be a great addition to the Golden Eagles.
For Coach Nichols and Coach Collins, it’s onto the 2025 football season; it looks like it will be a good one.
