Team: Beckley
2024 Recap
Beckley started 5-1 for the third straight year in 2024 before a slow finish, going 1-3 over its final four games. Guaranteed a playoff spot due to reclassifications that took place in August of 2024, the Flying Eagles were primarily battling for the right to host a playoff game and ultimately fell short of that goal.
They finished 6-4 falling 35-10 at Morgantown in the opening round of the playoffs.
The loss brought an end to the careers of standout players Bryce Ford (892 yards rushing), Keandre Goode (second team all-state) and Landon Jones who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 7.
2025 Outlook
A run-heavy wing-t team, the Flying Eagles will need to find a way to both run the ball and stop it. Ford, Jones, Konnor Ray, M.J. Staples, Christian Stewart and Jacob Reeves combined for an eye-boggling 2,167 rushing yards (2,392 scrimmage yards) and 23 touchdowns (34 from scrimmage).
“It was a good senior class, a lot of good backs in that class,” Sarrett said. “We had some young backs behind them that got some good reps when we were up in games and JV. It’s going to be a process getting our backs rolling and seeing who’s the top three or four.”
Most of those players also doubled at linebacker, meaning the Flying Eagles will need to also replace the heart of their defense. Fortunately for the Beckley faithful the cupboard isn’t bare on either side.
Gage Price will be back at QB for the Flying Eagles after an up and down season as a sophomore. He threw for 597 yards but was benched late in the year after tossing eight interceptions.
“Gage took it in stride and it’s just a part of football,” Beckley head coach Street Sarrett said. “You have to do some things and Gage was right back in there the next week. Both Gage and Gage (Burdette) are competitors and it’s going to be competition. That’s what you want – a guy behind you pushing you and that’s what it’s going to be.”
Success will likely rely heavily on the ability to harness the passing game. A.J. Thomas and Preston Clary, who accounted for a combined 443 receiving yards, will lead the way through the air. On the defensive side those two will be just as important. Thomas earned first team all-state honors at defensive back last season with six interceptions while Clary nabbed four picks at cornerback.
“Those guys, they’re going to be spot on on defense,” Sarrett said. “They can play safety, corner and maybe inching up to linebacker. A.J. has the speed and power to do it.”
The Flying Eagles, who kicked off their season on Friday, August. 29, will play the exact same schedule as last season.
| 1 | 08/29/25 | 7:30PM | H – | WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL | – | |||
| 2 | 09/05/25 | 7:30PM | H – | GREENBRIER EAST | – | |||
| 3 | 09/12/25 | 7:30PM | A – | PARKERSBURG SOUTH | – | |||
| 4 | 09/19/25 | 7:30PM | A – | BLUEFIELD | – | |||
| 5 | 10/03/25 | 7:30PM | A – | PRESTON HIGH SCHOOL | – | |||
| 6 | 10/10/25 | 7:30PM | H – | RIVERSIDE | – | |||
| 7 | 10/17/25 | 7:30PM | H – | PRINCETON SENIOR | – | |||
| 8 | 10/24/25 | 7:30PM | A – | SPRING VALLEY | – | |||
| 9 | 10/31/25 | 7:30PM | H – | OAK HILL | – | |||
| 10 | 11/07/25 | 7:30PM | A – | GEORGE WASHINGTON | – |
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