Local Sports

Tigers open on the road at Liberty

ELKINS -- Elkins begins the 2022 campaign this evening with a road contest against Liberty.

The Big 10 Conference matchup gets underway at 7 p.m. at Mountaineer Field in Clarksburg.

The Tigers are looking to give second-year coach Jimmy Hankins his first victory at the helm.

With experience back on both sides of the ball, Elkins looks to bounce back from last year's 0-10 season.

Injuries during the preseason, however, have already hit the squad as starting senior offensive-defensive lineman Chase Workman is out indefinitely with a knee injury and starting running back-linebacker Nick Bowers is questionable for tonight's game as well.

Junior Todd Vandevender, who saw action last year, and sophomore Jaxon Drennen have been battling for the starting job at quarterback during fall drills.

Senior Javier Rosario is back with experience at the running back position and led the Tigers in attempts in 2021.

The Mountaineers return senior starting quarterback Jace Bartley (5-10, 180).

Holdover junior Jayce Clevenger (5-10. 190) will be one of the running backs.

Liberty is coming off its first losing season under ninth-year coach A.J. Harman, who has guided the program to three playoff appearances during his tenure.

Elkins will have an early bye week next Friday, before facing Lewis County on Sept. 9 in the scheduled home opener at EHS.

The Mountaineers, meanwhile, will visit South Harrison next Friday night.