Princeton –
Team: Princeton
2024 Recap
After finishing as the 2023 state runner-up, Princeton had hopes of a return trip to the title game. Those were thwarted by Herbert Hoover which came into Princeton in the semifinal round and rushed for over 200 yards in a 35-12 semifinal victory.
That loss brought an end to the careers of all-state running back Marquel Lowe and all-state defensive lineman Daniel Jennings who graduated early to play football at Penn State. It was also the end of head coach Keith Taylor’s tenure as he resigned in the winter after the most successful two-year run in school history.
2025 outlook
Princeton’s title window remains open for another year with the return of three first team all-state players in Chance Barker (QB), Brad Mossor (WR) and Kalum Kiser (DE).
Barker is a two-time first teamer with over 80 career touchdown passes in just two seasons as a starter. Mossor, who finished third in voting for the Fulton Walker Award (special teams player of the year) and second in Randy Moss Award voting (wide receiver of the year) is back as a four-year starter, having amassed over 2,000 yards receiving over the last two years. Kiser was a standout defensive end opposite of Jennings but will move to linebacker as the defense transitions from a four-man front to a three-man front, allowing him to still attack upfield.
Replacing Taylor at the helm is former Parkersburg South head coach Nate Tanner. Tanner, a Giles native, led the Patriots to the 2022 Class AAA title game, falling to Huntington. He’s familiar with Princeton as the two teams have played every year since he took over in Wood County.
Tanner’s challenge will be figuring out how all of the pieces fit together.
Over the last two years the Tigers have entered the season with numerous all-state talents at the skill positions in Lowe, Jennings, Mossor and Dom Collins but everyone this year, outside of Mossor, is largely unproven. Wyatt Cline had over 400 yards as a receiver last year but was the offense’s fourth option before Lowe suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11 and bumped up to No. 3 behind Mossor and Jennings in the postseason.
The loss of Jennings hits twofold for the Tigers who will need to replace his 10 sacks as an edge player as well as his 1,300 yards of rushing offense.
The team’s leading returning rusher, R.J. Coatney, rushed for 61 yards all of last year and is likely to be out until midseason after suffering an injury in camp, leaving a gaping hole at running back.
Alleviating that pain will be an offensive line that went through growing pains last year but figures to be much improved. Landyn Moore, ranked the state’s top recruit in the class of 2027 by several recruiting services, anchors that front alongside Zayden Neely.
All of those pieces should fit in well together in Tanner’s offense which prioritizes tempo and explosive plays.
Key transfers for the Tigers include former Bluefield linebacker and tight end Landon Crane as well as PikeView receiver Corbin Justus.
Princeton’s schedule sees several changes with the losses of Virginia teams Pulaski County and Tazewell as well as Tanner’s former squad in Parkersburg South. Replacing them will be Graham, Va., Hurricane and South Charleston.
The Tigers will kickoff their season on Friday, Aug. 29 when they travel to Capital.
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