CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. (WCHS) — Chapmanville was a playoff team last season. While it was an early exit against eventual Class AA runner-up Roane County, the Tigers are ready to take advantage of the postseason experience.

In his third season, Zach Belcher is settling in nicely as Chapmanville's head football coach.

"It's comfort, you still try to stay on your boys and you still try to set your culture," Belcher said. "The first couple of weeks you want to make sure the boys are doing the right things and we're in shape. I feel good about where we're at. I think the boys are buying in and that's where it counts."

The Tigers suffered through a five-game losing streak last season but then finished strong to earn a playoff berth in Class AA. Senior leadership will be a key this season.

"To many guys with the experience of playing on Friday night, it’s a big deal,” senior wide receiver and defensive back Austin Adkins said. “Experience matters a lot to me and everybody on this Chapmanville team. We think that will help us a lot."

"It's just a family here," added senior tight end and linebacker Benji Adkins. "I love the environment, love everything about it. We're a real team, on and off the field."

"It's a real good culture team," senior running back and linebacker Preston Kovach said. "Everybody's come together this year and put the time in in the offseason. Looking real good on offense and defense . Very physical team, very fast team – all around, looks good."

While he is just a sophomore, Dakota Dalton has a year's worth of experience under his belt at quarterback.

"Last year I came in, I knew most of the plays because we ran them in middle school, too,” Dalton told Eyewitness Sports. “I am getting used to the speed as a freshman playing up higher competition. It’s some of the best in the state and really rough.

"But this year, it's starting to slow down. I can control it way better than I did last year."

He'll have the luxury of throwing to Trey Ward, who won the Class AA 100-meter dash state championship last season in Charleston.

"Track helped with my speed a lot," Ward said. "I got way faster with track and I'm ready to play some football."

Belcher can't wait to see what this team can do in 2025.

"I'm excited for them," Belcher said. "We've had a great offseason. We had really good participation and I feel like they're all buying in and they're ready for week 1 on Aug. 29."

That game will be against arch-rival Scott at home inside Barker Stadium.