South coach Jason Nichols of Clay County, right, instructs players Braden Bloss of Wayne (59), Brayden Casto of Spring Valley (65), Braylon Brown of Hurricane (56), Dominick Wise of Nitro (61), Tajai Davis of Capital (58) and Ty Mitchell of Scott (52) during practice at West Virginia State University on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
South coach Jason Nichols of Clay County, right, instructs players Braden Bloss of Wayne (59), Brayden Casto of Spring Valley (65), Braylon Brown of Hurricane (56), Dominick Wise of Nitro (61), Tajai Davis of Capital (58) and Ty Mitchell of Scott (52) during practice at West Virginia State University on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
INSTITUTE, W.Va. Ƶ Pass-blocking is fun, learning a new offense is interesting, but for Braden Bloss, thereƵs nothing like the Wing-T.
The Wayne High School offensive lineman joins Pioneers teammate Ronnie Staley on the South roster for SaturdayƵs North-South all-star football game at noon at South Charleston High School.
The contest features a pass-oriented spread offense Ƶ a new experience for Bloss and Staley coming from WayneƵs ground-heavy attack.
ƵThe pass-blocking has been a big learning curve for me,Ƶ Bloss said Tuesday before practice at West Virginia State University. ƵHow to properly pass block is different. We do a little bit of it out at Wayne, but not like these guys do it. IƵve had my hands full a little bit even in practice. IƵm really small for my position, but itƵs been fun.Ƶ
The 6-foot, 210-pound guard said he enjoys the new attack, to an extent.
ƵI like it,Ƶ Bloss said. ƵItƵs been fun to learn. The Wing-T still holds a special place in my heart. All these people come from all over the state and come together. For me, I have to learn a new system. I come from a run-heavy offense. ItƵs been fun learning a new system.ƵƵ
Wayne coach Tom Harmon said Bloss will perform well Saturday because of the kind of player he is.
ƵHeƵs the type of kid who made Wayne football a name,Ƶ Harmon said. ƵHeƵs coachable and tough. ItƵs never about him. ItƵs always about the team.Ƶ
Harmon expressed similar sentiments about Staley, a running back who will play slot receiver for the South.
ƵHeƵs a quiet leader and a game-changer,Ƶ Harmon said of Staley. ƵHe naturally sees the field. He never questioned, filled the plan and didnƵt care who got the credit.Ƶ
Bloss, who plans to be an electrician, said heƵll do his best to make Harmon and the Wayne community proud.
ƵItƵs an honor to play in this game,Ƶ Bloss said. ƵWayneƵs a big football town. A lot of people have come up here and played in it and told me how great it is.Ƶ
Bloss said heƵs been impressed with the camaraderie on the South team.
ƵYou ask anybody Ƶ coaches, teammates Ƶ a question and theyƵll have an answer for you,Ƶ Bloss said. ƵIf they donƵt know the answer, they know somebody who does. If you need anything, theyƵll help you. ThatƵs been great.Ƶ
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