KIDWELL – Coming off an 8-3 season, which included three losses in their final four games and a gut-wrenching two-point playoff loss, Tyler Consolidated looks to get back to business with a new head coach and a roster dripping with talent at just about every position.

Veteran head coach Ryan Walton has turned his whistle over Magnolia and West Liberty University graduate Kyle Ritz.

A member of Blue Eagle state championships in both football and basketball in 2015, the 2016 graduate was a first-team All-State defensive lineman his season.

“I have been an assistant coach for a while now,” Ritz said. “Actually, I used to go over to River and practice on their turf and one day coach (Mike) Flannery told me ‘If you are going to be here anyway, you might as well help coach’, so I did. I was actually here at Tyler Consolidated last year.

“My friends joke around with me about coaching at Magnolia’s two biggest rivals but it’s all the same when you are doing something you love. And I have actually taught at Tyler Consolidated so it wasn’t a difficult transition.”

The Silver Knights’ offense will once again be led by senior quarterback Brady Strode (6-1, 185), who threw for 1,593 yards with 12 touchdown passes and four rushing scores last season.

Senior Branson Winfrey (5-9, 150), junior Reese Davis (6-2, 195) and freshman Cody Sickles (5-11, 150) have all taken reps under center this summer and could be called upon in a backup role.

Coach Ryan Walton discusses the upcoming season

Winfrey is the top returning running back after rushing for 700 yards and adding 150 receiving with eight total touchdowns in 2023.

Winfrey is one of three brothers on the team and also the younger brother of last year’s leading rushing, and first-team All-Stater, Sean.

Sophomore Gideon Winfrey (5-9, 145) will also get carries with freshman Maddox Corley (5-9, 155) available. The two main fullbacks will be sophomore Cayden Hall (5-9, 190) and freshman Israel Winfrey (5-9, 155).

Davis is back at wide receiver, with over 300 yards and four scores a year ago, with junior Bo Tallman (5-9, 150), with similar stats, on the other side.

Other wide receivers will be senior Nate Deaton (6-0, 160), juniors Brody Giovinazzo (5-9, 160), Kayden Utt (6-0, 185), Zayden Hardbarger (5-10, 150) and Derrick Day (6-0, 175) along with freshmen Cam Strode (6-1, 165), Kolbin Highley (5-10, 150) and Austin Peck (5-8, 140).

Junior Sawyer Kunkel (6-0, 200) gets the call at tight end with freshman Noah Hood (6-4, 215) potentially logging some playing time.

Tyler Consolidated will have to fill three spots on the offensive line, including the departed Shane Bates, a second team All-Stater.

Seniors Wesley Glover (5-11, 275) is a returning starter and will be joined by classmate Trent Webster (5-11, 245).

Fighting for the remaining three spots are seniors Devon Bagley (5-10, 240) and Elijah Hood (5-11, 235) along with juniors Trysten Magruder (5-11, 230), Garrett Bordenkircher (5-10, 215) and Gryffith Briggs (6-0, 275). Freshmen Max Winters (5-10, 200) and Connor Tennant (5-9, 180) could also be used if needed.

“I really like our offense, and I believe we are loaded at running back,” Ritz admitted. “We lost a few good linemen but we have some pretty good kids competing for those spots.”

The defense appears to be at its best at linebacker and defensive back.

Davis and Hall are back at linebacker with plenty of depth being added by Deaton, Giovinazzo, Day, Bordenkircher, Gideon Winfrey, Highley, Israel Winfrey and Corley.

On the front wall will be Glover, Webster, Hood and Magruder with Kunkel.

The backfield will include Brady Strode, Branson Winfrey, Utt, Hardbarger and help from Tallman, sophomore Ethan Henderson (6-1, 165) and Peck.

Deaton will handle the kicking chores while Giovinazzo will be the long snapper.

“We have some good depth at linebacker and in the secondary,” Ritz admitted. “We have a lot of key players returning off of last year’s playoff team as well as some new upperclassmen and a very strong freshman class. There is a lot of excitement in getting these kids in pads and getting going.

“Our goal is to be better at something each day, if we can do that consistently, we will be where we want to be.

“Last year was a successful season, despite our ending. Our staff is all in together and we try to make the decisions to help our kids find success wherever they are. Our season may not have ended on Wheeling Island last year, but it was a good foundational year and through our success and our failures we became better.”

Assisting Ritz will be Zach Heasley, Slade Buchanon, Rob Jones, Joey Asturi, Colton Lawrence and Mike Riggs.

Other players lost to graduation include Tristen Tuttle, Jayden Clark, Heath Hensley, Tyler Ferrell, Marques Jackson and Zade Billings.

The Silver Knights are hoping for a good start with Ritchie County and Williamstown coming to Kidwell in weeks one and two before going on the road to Petersburg.

A total of four of the initial five games will be played on the home turf, including a week five meeting with Ritz’ alma-mater Magnolia.

Tyler then travel on back-to-back-to-back weeks, first facing Oak Glen, then squaring off against Ravenswood before completing the roadtrip the following week at South Harrison.

A home matchup against St. Marys is the final home game for the Knights, who travel to Doddridge County for their final outing of the season.