James Monroe Mavericks ready to lean on ‘plowboy’ mentality for success in ’26

LINDSIDE, WV (WVNS) - The James Monroe Mavericks have established an identity under Head Coach John Mustain. They play physical, hard-nosed, winning football year in and year out.

That's the plowboy way.

New faces and a new offensive scheme have excitement levels high ahead of another Maverick football season in Monroe county.

"A lot of young guys coming in. A lot of extra energy. Trying to get everybody rotated in and rotated out so we don't get gassed. Lot of young guys, lot of young guys," said Senior Quarterback and Linebacker Jayden Miller.

"Part of what's going on with us right now is we're still putting in some new stuff offensively and there's still a lot of uncertainty about what they're doing, but hopefully that will straighten out," added Coach Mustain.

Those offensive changes are expected to include multiple quarterbacks taking snaps for the Mavericks this season. Senior Jayden Miller is expected to start as he makes the transition from Wide Receiver to QB, but don't be surprised to see Sophomore Bentley McCroskey under center too. Miller told 59News he is excited to get the opportunity to show all of his skills in the Mavericks' offense.

"It's kind of one of those deals where they're going to try to move me around to get other guys in, cause we've got a good back up QB. You'll definitely probably see me somewhere else too," said Miller.

"He has the skill to do both. It enables us to get him in different positions where he can get some touches also," added Mustain.

On defense, it is business as usual in Lindside. The Mavericks have built their identity on hard-nosed, defensive football in Coach Mustain's tenure, and he said that is fitting for the guys in his locker room.

"We've always had pretty solid defenses and I think this year we should be in the same boat. I think it's just kind of a plowboy pride thing," Mustain told 59News.

"I think we just have a good defense. Our coaches really push us to get better at our positions. We don't do much switching of positions so we know our position good, and we have players who can play multiple positions on defense," said Senior Wide Receiver and Safety Andrew Weikle.

An unexpected blow for the Mavericks this offseason was the loss of 2025 honorable mention all-state Receiver and Safety Kadyn Hines, who decided to end his football career after his 94-mile per hour fastball blew scouts away at the State Baseball tournament.

As Hines prepares to head to Morgantown to play for the Mountaineer Baseball team, his teammates and coaches say he will be missed on Friday nights.

"It's definitely tough. He was an amazing safety, he's so tall and athletic he could just go get the ball. And if you were playing a team with small DBs you could just throw it up to him!" Miller told 59News.

"He gets up there and goes through that program with WVU, he's going to be up close to triple digits I believe in a few years. So I wish him the best of luck and I hope he does well, and maybe he'll get that MLB contract and funnel a little money back here to us at some point," joked Coach Mustain.

The Mavericks will look to keep up their streak of making the playoffs every year since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Their schedule starts with a massive rivalry showdown against the Greenbrier East Spartans on Friday, August 28, 2026.

• August 12th: Bluefield Beavers
• August 12th: Mount View Golden Knights
• August 13th: Graham G-Men
• August 13th: River View Raiders
• August 14th: Greenbrier East Spartans
• August 14th: Summers County Bobcats
• August 17th: Midland Trail Patriots
• August 17th: Meadow Bridge Wildcats
• August 18th: Greenbrier West Cavaliers
• August 18th: Pocahontas County Warriors
• August 19th: Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles
• August 19th: Liberty Raiders
• August 20th: Oak Hill Red Devils
• August 20th: Richlands Blue Tornado
• August 21st: Shady Spring Tigers
• August 21st: Greater Beckley Crusaders
• August 24th: Pikview Panthers
• August 24th: Montcalm Generals
• August 25th: James Monroe Mavericks
• August 25th: Tazewell Bulldogs