HUNTINGTON HIGHLANDER FOOTBALL 2025
2013, 2017, 2021, 2022 - MSAC CHAMPIONS
2013 & 2021 - AAA STATE RUNNER UP
97, 98, 99, 03, 11,12,15,17,21,22,23,24 - QUARTER FINALS
2014, 2017, 2021 , 2022, 2023, 2024 - FINAL FOUR
2022-STATE CHAMPIONS
Highlanders ring up No. 14 in Beckley
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Woodrow Wilson entered Friday night ranked fifth in Class AAAA with a 3–1 record. Sixth-ranked Huntington arrived at Van Meter Stadium with a 2–1 mark and a 13-game winning streak against the Flying Eagles. By the time the Highlanders headed home, that streak had reached 14 after a 50–15 Week 5 victory.
Huntington’s first drive ended with a blocked field goal, but the offense soon found its rhythm. Quarterback Marek Midkiff hit Jaxson Seals for a 20-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. Then Ilias King blocked a Woodrow punt, giving the Highlanders a short field. Midkiff found Donte Newsome for a 15-yard score, and Huntington led 14–0 after one.
The Highlanders kept finding ways to turn defense into points. Gaige McCellan intercepted a pass before the quarter ended, setting up Midkiff’s 14-yard touchdown throw to Kellen Rife early in the second. Later, Collin Gadd forced a Woodrow fumble, Antonyo Paschall recovered it, and Newsome picked up Paschall’s fumble during the return and took it in. The unusual relay sent Huntington into halftime ahead 28–0.
Woodrow finally scored on its opening drive of the second half, but Huntington answered in one snap. Tyler Long recovered the ensuing onside kick, and Travon Okonkwo raced 58 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. McCellan’s second interception soon gave Midkiff another chance, and he connected with Rife for a 37-yard score. The Flying Eagles added another touchdown and a two-point conversion, leaving Huntington up 42–15 after three quarters.
Rife caught his third touchdown of the night from nine yards out in the fourth. Midkiff then found Newsome for the two-point conversion to reach the final margin.Midkiff finished 10 of 19 for 142 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Rife caught three passes for 60 yards, all three for touchdowns. Travon Okonkwo led the ground game with 87 yards and a score on seven carries, while MayShaun Okonkwo added 71 yards on 12 attempts. Huntington totaled 329 yards of offense.The defense supplied plenty of its own highlights: McCellan had two interceptions, Xavier Smailes was credited with 3½ sacks, and C.J. Quinn led the Highlanders with 19 tackles. King and Grady Franks each blocked a punt. Huntington held Woodrow scoreless in three of the four quarters and finished the night with its 14th consecutive win over the Flying Eagles.
Next up: The Battle for the Bell
Huntington returns to Bob Sang Stadium for its first home game of the season to face the Capital Cougars. Capital comes in at 1–3, but the rivalry has a history of its own: the Cougars lead the all-time series 12–8.
The Highlanders have won the last five meetings, including a 38–6 victory in 2025. After a statement win on the road in Beckley, they’ll have a home crowd behind them as they try to make it six straight and bring the Bell back to Huntington.
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