Senior Players Look to Finish Careers on High Note - West Virginia State University Athletics

    At about 20 minutes before noon Saturday the 15 seniors on this season West Virginia State football team will walk to midfield to be recognized by the home fans one last time.

     Then they will return to their final pre-game sideline huddle on Lakin Field at Dickerson Stadium.

     They have seen many changes since arriving in Institute, played for two different head coaches, seen a new dormitory built, a new locker room and weight room at the new Monroe Athletic complex, a change in Presidents at the school, and set records on the playing field.

    "This class went through the 0-for season, the bad facilities, and more," WVSU Head Coach John Pennington said. "They have been all about moving the program forward, to them that means everything."

      In all six members of this group are in their fifth year with the program, like quarterback Matt Kinnick, and were on the sidelines when that 2003 team finished 0-11. Nearly all of the remaining seniors arrived the next year.

       The 2014 squad ended up 2-9. That was followed by a heartbreak 2015 season that saw the Jackets start 5-3 before losing their final three games. Last season the team was slow out of the gate on the way to a 3-8 season as the Yellow Jackets won their final two contests.

      Sitting at 5-4 with this week's home game and a contest the following week at West Virginia Wesleyan these Yellow Jackets need one victory to be the first team since the 2008 group to end a season over .500. Both the 2007 and 2008 squads finished with seven wins. You have to go back 25 years to find another winning season, the 1992 team that went 6-4.

       This is already a special group of seniors.

        Kinnick and receiver Quinton Gray have made the biggest marks.

       "They've re-written the record books here," Pennington said. "But their biggest impact was more than that."

         They led in may different ways.

       "Matt Kinnick has never missed a workout," Pennington said. "His consistency was the biggest thing and he is the prototypical student-athlete."

        The St. Clairsville, Ohio, native has nearly a 3.7 grade point average.

        "Quinton's work ethic is what I will remember," said Pennington. "He will jump rope at 5 a.m. if we have a 6 a.m. meeting, he's played through injuries and blocked his tail off, things that don't show in the boxscore."

        The entire senior group has made a contribution.

       Such as Dionta Brown playing in 42 games so far. He has carried the ball for 1,223 yards and returned kickoffs for 2,003.

        Kevin Coffie starting every game during his three years here and breaking up 39 passes and making four interceptions.

        Trent Williamson has played 39 games and recorded 152 tackles from his linebacker spot.

         Kole Patterson has been the team's punter since he arrived and has punted the ball 145 times in 41 games for 5,104 yards.

          Juawan Etheredge led the team in rushing last season and stepped in to do the same recently when freshman sensation Calil Wilkins was injured.

         The rest of the seniors are Brett Mabry, Delante Yancy, Kaylan Striggle, De'von Bollinger, Thomas Kriston, Rhidzo Breidel, Geoffrey Gardner, and Brady Cox. Nearly all of them have been mainstays on the offensive or defensive side of the ball.

    "There is a lot of production from this group," Pennington said. "You're talking about guys who have persevered."

     A total of eight of the 15 are schedule to start this week. That number would be higher if not for injuries.

       When the game kicks off moments after that final team huddle the group will be trying to reach one more goal on their list, the one that will validate all of those efforts - a winning season.

      "It's big," admitted Pennington. "That sixth win would cement it for them."

       They are ready. Senior speeches have been given. A good week of practice is wrapping up.

       All that is left is to play the game.

        "We've just got to play Yellow Jacket football for 60 minutes," Pennington said. "I expect to see a passionate and determined team Saturday."

         Game time is noon.

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