CHARLESTON Ƶ Martinsburg took home its 11th high school football state championship in the last 15 seasons in 2024, but it felt just as sweet as the first one for coach Dave Walker and the Bulldogs.
With just under two minutes remaining in the Class AAAA state championship game and the score tied at 17, Martinsburg senior quarterback Koi Fagan broke off an 80-yard touchdown run that secured the title for the Bulldogs over Spring Mills.
It was a dream ending to an incredible season for the Bulldogs and their senior signal-caller, Fagan, who was named offensive captain of the Class AAAA all-state first-team by the West Virginia Sports Writers Ƶsociation.
Fagan completed 64% of his passes for 2,264 yards and 26 touchdowns while amassing 1,836 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. He capped off his high school career with 333 yards on the ground in a title-winning victory in the state championship.
ƵKoi is just a special kid,Ƶ Walker said. ƵHe went to work as soon as the season ended last year to prepare for this moment, and our guys just gravitated towards his leadership.Ƶ
He was joined on the first team by teammate Kyree Bunny, who caught 16 touchdowns on 45 receptions with 908 yards. The duo of Bunny and Fagan combined for an average of 22.3 yards per completion.
HurricaneƵs ShaƵlik Hampton was named first-team receiver after nearly eclipsing 1,000 yards with 15 touchdowns.
An impressive quartet of running backs was named to the Class AAAA first team, led by Wheeling Park junior Brennan Wack, who carried the ball 268 times for 2,258 yards and 31 touchdowns.
He was joined by HuntingtonƵs Keegan Sack (209 carries, 1,554 yards, 30 touchdowns), Parkersburg SouthƵs Eli Bartley (235 totes, 1,452 yards, 21 TDs) and JeffersonƵs TayƵShaun Roper (186 attempts, 1,353 yards, 18 scores) on the first-team offense.
ƵI played with Boogie Johnson, who held all of the records that Brennan broke this season, and I honestly thought there was a chance it wouldnƵt ever be done,Ƶ Wheeling Park coach Chris Daugherty said of Wack. ƵAt the beginning of the year, we had the opening in the backfield, and he really stepped up and took control. We knew we could hand him the ball 15 times a game but had no idea that he would turn into the type of player he was for us this season.Ƶ
All five offensive linemen named to the first team were seniors in Peyton Kaufman (Martinsburg), Drake Lanham (Hurricane), Prophet Guillaume (Spring Mills), Mason Ramsey (Huntington) and Hunter Means (Wheeling Park).
Hurricane senior Noah Vellaithambi and Spring Mills senior Max Anderson were named offensive utility on the first team, with Huntington senior Jordan Price as the first-team kicker.
Martinsburg linebacker Ace Flores was named captain of the first-team defense after compiling 106.5 tackles, with 13 coming for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Ace is joined by his teammate Nick Busky, who finished with 82 tackles and 4 sacks. AceƵs cousin, Guner Flores of George Washington, earned his spot on the first-team defense with 103 tackles and three fumble recoveries. Jameson Maynard of Wheeling Park rounded out the linebacking corps.
ƵThere are three names I think about when I think of the best players who have played the position for our program, and heƵs one of them,Ƶ Daugherty said of Maynard, who collected 127 tackles. ƵHe is such a cerebral player, and with him, itƵs truly like having a coach on the field at all times. He sees everything and can get every position on the defense lined up and focused every play. Honestly, whatever position we put him in, he would probably be the best player on the field for us.Ƶ
A pair of EPAC linemen, Xavier Anderson of Spring Mills and Isaiah Osafo-Mensah from Washington, were named to the defensive first team. They were joined by Tyson Wagoner, a senior from Parkersburg South, and MorgantownƵs Brady Savage, who finished the season with 49 tackles (seven TFL), four sacks and nine pass deflections.
ƵBrady just played the second season of football ever in his life and had an incredible career in only two years for us,Ƶ Morgantown coach Sean Biser said. ƵHe was vital to our success on defense and really solidified our edge pass rush while being a dominant run-stopper. His leadership on and off the field was also vital for our program.Ƶ
ƵU signee Zah Jackson of Huntington was named a first-team defensive back. He was joined by A.J. Thomas of Woodrow Wilson and SaiƵVyon Brown from George Washington.
UniversityƵs Brock Kehler was named first-team defensive utility after earning 93 tackles (12 TFL) this season. He is joined by a pair of Huntington Highlanders in Clemson commit Tayveon Wilson and Avonte Crawford.
Morgantown specialist Aidan Stire was named the punter for the first team. The ƵU signee averaged 38.0 yards in 26 punts this season, with a season-long of 68.
Morgantown running back AJ Thomas was named offensive captain for the second team, with Demarius Wallace of Jefferson captaining the defense as a utility.
Wooden plaques in the shape of West Virginia that include the player’s name, school, licensed ƵSWA logo, year of the honoree are available to all-state first team, second team and honorable mentions and can be purchased at from the Bear Wood Company through or .
