Friday Free For All

A packed show as we continue our virtual tour through the teams that make up North Central West Virginia.

• Segment 1: Alex and Chris discuss North Marion, Doddridge, and Tucker... including a notable similarity between these schools (0:00).
• Segment 2: Alex and Chris take a look at the whole scope of the region (10:12).
• Segment 3: North Marion head football coach Daran Hays joins the program (22:19).
• Segment 4: Doddridge head football coach Bobby Burnside joins the program (50:29).
• Segment 5: Tucker head coach A.J. Rapp joins the program (1:15:23).
• Segment 6: THE BONUS SEGMENT only for podcast listeners as Alex and Chris look at a few other major storylines around the region and look back on their interviews with the first ten coaches they've spoken to this season (1:41:55).

We continue our journey through North Central West Virginia previewing the seasons for a number of local teams:

• Nick Mayle, Head Coach of Philip Barbour football, joins the program (15:36)
• Nick Bartic, Head Coach of Fairmont Senior football, joins the program (41:44)
• Chris George on Wheeling Post 1's state tournament victory (1:07:04)

On today's edition of Friday Free for All featuring Alex Wiederspiel and Chris Johnson.

• NCAA 25 (0:00)
• AJ Harman, Liberty-Harrison Head Coach (26:32)
• Brett Hathaway, South Harrison Head Coach (51:01)
• Michael Minnich, WVNews.com & ESPN+ (1:19:37), on location in Stamford, CT working with the studio broadcasts of Olympic Soccer
• PODCAST EXCLUSIVE: Chris George, Legion Baseball (1:42:46)

Alex Wiederspiel and Chris Johnson continue their conversations with head coaches around the region.

• Austin Scott, RCB Head Coach (9:18)
• Rob Hawkins, Lincoln Head Coach (33:06)
• Chris George updates on Legion Baseball (1:12:37)

The light at the end of the tunnel grows stronger! Football season is nigh.

Joining the program today:

• Joe Brocato, MetroNews statewide sports reporter, on the top football storylines in Harrison County (8:14).
• Tyler Phares, Bridgeport Head Coach, on his squad's preparation for the 2024 season and why games are won and lost January through July (48:40).
• Chris George, American Legion Baseball, on upcoming post-season play (1:24:42).
• Greg Carey, MetroNews statewide sports reporter, on a few other major football storylines in North Central West Virginia, South Harrison, Philip Barbour, and some WV prep standouts who could have big years for WVU Football (1:42:22) [BONUS SEGMENT].

Philip Barbour Head Coach Nick Mayle joins the program to talk about the passing of recent graduate Keaton 'Beef' McDermott, who he was as a person, his love for helping others, and his immense impact on the Philip Barbour football program through his leadership.

Chris Johnson, co-host and writer for Connect-Bridgeport, joins the show to talk about the all-state selection process (0:00). Joe Brocato of West Virginia MetroNews joins the program to highlight what he saw during summer camps for Bridgeport, Philip Barbour, and Lincoln football (30:12). In today's bonus segment, Chris George joins in his capacity as Assistant State Chair for American Legion Baseball in West Virginia to tell you everything you wanted to know about Legion Baseball but were too afraid to ask (45:36)!

Chris Johnson joins the program at the top (0:00). An ode to Jerry West later. Plus Dr. Eloise Elliott of WVU's College of Applied Human Sciences on physical activity in West Virginia.

Greg Carey with the final word on the state high school baseball tournament (0:00). Plus, Todd Gookin, President and General Manager of WVU Club Ice Hockey, joins the show to discuss the growth of hockey at WVU and in West Virginia (26:36).

Chris Johnson of Connect-Bridgeport joins the first half of the show to talk about the state high school baseball tournament, the North-South game, and wrapping the softball season. Michael Minnich of WVNews.com and ESPN+ joins to discuss those same topics plus his passion project involving NWSL.