With Offsides Otto

For Mason County Extra Edition

Hello to all! This writer will publish this column a few times a week with a focus on Mason County and will include prep news throughout the state as the year progresses. The style of each column will be of Mr. Jack Rogers. Rogers famously wrote for the Point Pleasant Register for over 50 years and was an educator and a coach. The name is also an homage to him, and even though Oscar was famous for football picks only, the name Offsides Otto will be used year-round and for all sports.

Point Pleasant Football has had a busy month in June. The team has traveled to Virginia Tech, West Virginia State, Glenville State, and Marietta for seven-on-seven tournaments and has had strong performances at each stop. With the three-week period ending, the focus will shift to the start of practice in about a month.

The team finished with a 5-5 record last season and will look to get back into the playoff picture this year. Many young players took to the field last year with many injuries to the team, and that experience will help in the season ahead. According to Coach David Darst, 58 players were fitted for helmets in May.

Meanwhile, up the river, Wahama is preparing for a big season. They finished with an 11-1 record last season with many key pieces returning, including First Team All-State Quarterback Sawyer Van Matre. Van Matre had 1,637 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, 1,023 passing yards, and 18 passing touchdowns. According to Coach James Toth, 38 players were fitted for helmets this week.

Despite not playing any games in the last two seasons, Hannan still wishes to have a football team this season. Several posts have been seen online about the need for enough players to have a season, so if you have a student-athlete who attends Hannan and wants to play, go out and play! The Hannan program dates to 1937, and this writer hopes they can get to that magical number to continue.

We will break down each team in the county as the summer progresses and their schedule, so stay tuned for that.

In the next column, we will head to the pitch to discuss both Point Pleasant and the Hannan soccer programs.

If you have any information you would like to be included, you can text the number (304) 207-0416, and this writer will reach out to you.

Thank you for reading!