W.Va. Announces Its QB, RBs, LBs For 80th Annual OVAC Football Game

WHEELING - When scanning the West Virginia roster for Saturday night's 80th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All Star Football Game, the glaring absence of a quarterback stood out like a sore thumb.

However, there is no need for panic among the Mountaineer faithful heading into the 7:15 kickoff inside Wheeling Island Stadium.

Brooke's Ty Sperringer is listed as a wide receiver/defensive back on the roster, but head coach Chris Daugherty assured that the former Bruin standout will indeed be under center or in the shotgun.

"He's going to be our QB. He was the QB for Brooke and every quarterback is different," Daugherty expressed. "Some throw better. Some run better. We'll see what he can do and go from there."

In addition to quarterback, Daugherty also revealed the West Virginia running backs and linebackers.

A brief capsule of each player follows:

TY SPERRINGER (Brooke) - A 5-10, 170-pounder, he was a dual threat for Frank Sisinni and the Bruins last season. He not only has a strong arm but can do damage with his feet, as well.

During his junior campaign at John Marshall, Sperringer, playing instead of his injured older brother, Braelyn, only carried the ball four times but picked up 161 yards, 80 coming on the first play of the third quarter. He was 11-of-12 for 172 yards and five touchdowns through the air.

Sperringer follows in the footsteps of his father, Todd, who played in the 1997 game.

The younger Sperringer will attend West Virginia University.

He is also the son of Miranda Sperringer and resides in Colliers.

KADE KORONEOS (Wheeling Central) - This 5-10, 190-pounder will get the majority of carries behind Sperringer, just as he did in leading the Maroon Knights to the West Virginia Class A state championship last fall.

In that title tilt against Clay-Battelle, Koroneos broke a pair of state championship game records with 415 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He finished the season with 2,519 yards on the ground and an eye-popping 43 touchdowns in earning the team's MVP award.

Koroneos will attend Denison University to continue his academic and athletic careers. He played for head coach Mike Young at Wheeling Central.

He is the son of Charles (Steve) and Nicole (Nikki) Koroneos and resides in Wheeling.

ROMAN KONCHESKY (University) - A 6-2, 190-pounder, Konchesky will see action at running back and linebacker.

As a senior for the Hawks, he logged 164 tackles and 20 tackles for lost yardage in 13 games. He was named first team all-West Virginia Class AAAA. His tackles total ranked No. 1 in the Mountain State.

He was also an OVAC all-honorable mention selection under head coach Eric Snyder.

Konchesky will continue his academic and athletic careers at Glenville State University.

He is the son of James and Jeanette Konchecky and resides in Morgantown.

COLIN MAGERS (Cameron) - This 6-3, 180-pounder was a force on both sides of the ball for head coach Tim Brown and the Dragons.

Defensively, he made 40 tackles - five for negative yards - and had a pair of quarterback sacks last season when he earned all-OVAC first team honors for the second consecutive year. He was honorable mention all-West Virginia last fall.

His grandfather, Dave Magers, played in the game.

Magers will attend West Virginia University and major in electrical engineering.

He is the son of Jeremiah and Andrea Magers. They reside in Cameron.

MARCUS REED (Brooke) - A 6-2, 250-pounder, Reed will see time at linebacker.

He was a four-year letterman for the Bruins, playing under head coach Frank Sisinni last season.

Reed will attend West Liberty University in the fall.

He is the son of Chad and Jamie Reed. They live in Weirton.

DANIEL HOWLAND (Weir) - This 5-10, 210-pounder ran for nearly 1,000 yards last season for the Red Riders as he gained 932 and scored 11 touchdowns.

He played for head coach Quincy Wilson last fall and will continue his academic and athletic careers at West Liberty University.

Howland is the son of Danielle Howland and resides in Weirton.

NOLAN YANCHAK (Wheeling Park) - At 5-11, 215 pounds, this former Patriot played linebacker, fullback and tight end for Daugherty.

As a linebacker, he made 145 tackles and intercepted one pass. He also charted 248 yards rushing and two TDs, while catching 22 passes for 310 yards and a score.

He earned first team honors in both West Virginia Class AAAA and the OVAC.

Yanchak will attend West Liberty University to play baseball.

His grandfather, Rick Fankhouser, played in the 1973 game.

He is the son of Maggie Gayvont. They reside in Wheeling.

CARTER PACZEWSKI (Cameron) - This 5-10, 160-pounder was a force in the middle of the Dragons defense with 113 tackles, of which 58 were solo stops. He also charted six tackles for lost yardage and intercepted one pass.

Paczewski earned first team laurels on the OVAC, West Virginia Class A and MOVL.

His father, Albert Paczewski, Jr., played in the 1990 game.

The younger Paczewski will attend West Virginia University.

He is also the son of Vickey Paczewski. They reside in Cameron.

MARCOS KNISKA (University) - A 6-0, 221-pounder, Kniska amassed 336 tackles during his four-year career with the Hawks. He had 47 tackles for negative yardage and recorded 15 quarterback sacks, while picking off three passes and recovering seven fumbles.

He won the Chuck Howley Award as the Best Linebacker in West Virginia last season and was also first team all-OVAC and all-West Virginia Class AAAA.

He will continue his academic and athletic careers at Coate Rosemary Hall Prep School in Wallingford, Conn.

He is the son of Dan Kniska and Lorena Ballester of Morgantown.