Coach John Pennington said the eight incoming West Virginia freshmen to the 2018 squad can have an immediate impact next football season. Seven were selected to the prestigious All-State Football Team, selected by West Virginia sportswriters.
Wednesday was National Signing Day. They include Latrell Warr of Inwood, now at Fork Union Military Academy. The 6 foot 2 player “may be the best tight end we’ve ever signed,” Pennington said. The 235-pounder was a first team selection in his high school conference. He played quarterback at Musselman High School.
Owen Tillis of Charleston’s George Washington High School could be another impact player, the coach said. He’s a 250-pound defensive lineman. He was first team on the West Virginia all-state team.
The others:
- Will Anderson, a 270-pound offensive lineman from St. Albans High School. He was second team on the West Virginia all-state team.
- Freddy Canary, a 185-pound, 5 foot 11 running back from South Harrison High School near Clarksburg. He ran for 2,215 yards last fall, including 368 yards in a playoff game.
- Grant Dickson, a 308-pound, 6 foot 2 offensive lineman from Cardinal Conference powerhouse Winfield. He was also first team all-state.
- Brier Elswick, a 330-pound offensive lineman from Cabell Midland High School, runner-ups in the AAA State High School playoffs.
- Payton Lundsford, a 225-pound, 5 foot 11 linebacker from nearby Hurricane High School, another outstanding high school team. He was a first team selection on the All-Kanawha Valley team.
- Ben Billanti, a 250-pound offensive lineman from Riverside High School in eastern Kanawha County. He was also first team all-state.
