We're nearing the beginning of the 2025 West Virginia high school football season.

Coaches are starting to separate starters from third-stringers, with Week 1 right around the corner.

The Kanawha Valley has produced talented football players for as long as they've been playing the game here. However, the area hasn't produced a Kennedy Award winner since 2019, when Poca's Ethan Payne won it.

A Kanawha County product hasn't earned the Mountain State's prep version of the Heisman Trophy since TyRhee Pratt from Capital in 2015.

Players heading into this season hope they can cement their name among Mountain State legends.

Here is my take on each of the Valley's 12 teams' top players entering the year:

Hunter Rutan (Buffalo)

Rutan primarily served as a tight end last season for since-depa

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