The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins High School travels to Lincoln this evening to begin the 2025 season.

ELKINS — With the month-long preseason practices and scrimmages in the books, teams take to the field this evening for Week 1 of the high school football season.

Elkins, Philip Barbour and Tucker County seek returns to the postseason, while Buckhannon-Upshur and Tygarts Valley look for better things in 2025.

The Tigers and second-year coach Chad Ware hit the road against Big 10 Conference foe Lincoln.

Eight starters on offense and seven on defense are back for Elkins, which must replace the school and county’s all-time leading rusher Nick Bowers.

“Nick was a special player and big shoes to fill,” Ware said. “He was our workhorse last season but we should be more versatile in our jet series Wing-T offense with the transfers and players back.”

Transfers Logan Beam, Jaden Hatfield and Seth Robinson are ready to step in on offense, each bringing impressive credentials.

Beam returns to the Tigers after playing the last two seasons at Philip Barbour, while Hatfield rushed for over 2,000 yards at South Harrison in 2024 and Robinson was a key standout for playoff-team Clay County.

Junior Nate Sauerwein is back at quarterback, while Devin Hulver and Owen Stanley are mainstays along the line.

The Cougars, meanwhile, return several standouts from last year’s squad, including senior quarterback A.J. Bart, junior tailback Connor Rice and junior receivers Jacob Bart and Brody Barnes.

Philip Barbour also hits the road for a Big 10 matchup against Grafton at McKinney Field.

Coach Nick Mayle’s squad returns a talented group of senior receivers in Cam Bennett, Malachi Poling and Patrick Webster.

Quarterback Robbie Jones gained valuable experience after stepping in last season due to injuries.

Returnee Mason Jones, newcomer Landyn Carpenter and sophomore Tristen Jones will be the ball-carriers.

The defense will be anchored by senior all-state linebacker Tyler Vance.

Sophomore quarterback Chace Kinsey and junior running back Cash Nestor lead the Bearcats.

Tucker County’s quest for a third straight appearance in the Class A semifinals begins at Pocahontas County.

Starter and second-team all-stater Sam Marks has been sidelined with an injury, so Luke Barb could begin the season behind center, according to coach A.J. Rapp.

All-state running back Jared Reall was lost to graduation.

Cade Rapp and Braxton George will fill in at running back, while talented senior Reid Kisamore is back at receiver.

Dual-threat quarterback Logan Keatley and running backs Haydon Moore and Austin Price look to lead the Warriors.

Jay Bennett make his coaching debut as Tygarts Valley entertains Valley-Wetzel at Bulldog field.

Senior Austin Gear steps in at quarterback after the graduation loss of Jaxson Drennen.

Noah McAtee and Adam Woods will be at running back and wingback, respectively, and talented senior Aiden Phares is a receiving threat.

The Lumberjacks will also have a new coach on the sidelines in longtime assistant Jeff Derby.

Junior Koleton Kinkade is expected to step in at quarterback for Valley, which must replace eight seniors from last year’s playoff team.

Buckhannon-Upshur and second-year mentor Sloan Baisden face a tall task when defending Class AAA state champion and coach Tyler Phares invade Freal “Red” Crites Memorial Stadium.

Senior Dawson Tenney is back at quarterback, while some new faces will be at running back for the Bucs after the graduation loss of leading rusher Wyatt Morris.

Converted receiver Cooper Antolini and Chance Morgan will be at the running back spots.

The Indians lost several standouts from last year’s undefeated team but the offensive line returns nearly intact.

John Knight is expected to take over at quarterback and Gabe Martin and Gavin Williams are names to watch for at the running back spots.