ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — Roane County’s historic 2024 season ended with a loss in the Class AA title game to Frankfort. The Raiders finished at 13-1.
The mission in 2025 is to make it to championship weekend in Charleston again.
“It was magical,” said head coach Paul Burdette. “We really worked hard to build up to where we were last year. To build our expectations for our program to that.”
Several standouts graduated, including four all-staters, but there are plenty of familiar faces coming back.
“You think ‘wow, they lost a lot, and we did. Those guys were all special players along with the rest of our seniors,” Burdette said. “You know, right now if we lined up today, 10 of our 11 starters started 14 games last year in some capacity on the field, offense or defense. On the defensive side of the ball, nine of the 11 were 14-game starters. Lot of experience coming back.
“And they are great leaders,” he continued. “They’ve worked really hard in the offseason to get themselves prepared for what is coming at us.”
One of the players to return is Jacob Greathouse, who is set to enter his fourth consecutive season as the Raider starting quarterback – the first to do so in the history of the program.
“He does a tremendous job. To have that type of experience, leadership and knowledge out on the field is a big deal, especially when you are replacing guys in the backfield,” Burdette said.
The quarterback said he hopes to apply what he’s learned over the years in the program.
“(I’ve) been here a while. The guys my freshman year really helped me with learning this organization and how to manage myself,” Greathouse said.
He is the only returning player in the backfield following the graduation of Lane Watson, Clay Walker and Shay Harper.
Everyone is confident the Roane running train will keep on rolling, and the line will be solid to pave the way.
“We bring back three starters, and Quinton Cooper was a kid that started each game last year when we needed him to. Actually, I started him at tight end in the playoffs just to have an extra blocker on the field,” Burdette said. “He does a tremendous job, and then Braxton Browning has jumped in and taken over the left guard position and they’re experienced and they communicate so well. That’s a big deal up front is communication.”
Roane played for it all last season and would love to get a chance to win it all this year.
“When we put our goals on the board you know that was the first thing they said, ‘we’ve got unfinished business.’ Last year was the best season in school history,” Burdette said. “The first time we met this spring I said the best thing is we left room for improvement. These guys are focused and they’re tuned in to what is in front of them and what these goals are. They come out here everyday and put the effort in.”
Roane County will open with Greenbrier West.