2026 Football Preview: South Point Pointers

SOUTH POINT — Brian Wroten got what he wanted, and he got to be where he wanted to be.

Wroten realized his dream of becoming a head football coach when he was hired to take the helm of the South Point Pointers.

The Pointers are coming off a 3-7 season and Wroten knows there’s a lot of work ahead, but none of the matters.

“It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been working 10 years to get to this point. This is my dream job I guess is the best way to put it. Athletic director and head football coach,” said Wroten, who was an assistant at Portsmouth West the last four year under Todd Gilliland.

“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been exciting, it’s also a challenge. What I’ve been able to fall back on is the last four years I’ve worked for Todd Gilliland. Any time I have a question, I can rely on him.”

The Pointers have 35 players including 11 seniors.

One thing that will help Wroten in his challenge as the head coach is the Pointers’ major offensive weapon in All-Ohio running back Landon Vance (6-1, 205).

“He’s one of the best kids you could ever meet. He’s humble. He’s a great leader. It’s a blessing to be able to walk into a situation and have him.” Said Wroten.

Vance rushed 147 times for 1,018 yards for a 6.9 yards per carry average and scored 15 touchdowns. Vance also led the team with 26 receptions for 330 yards and another three scores.

“Offensively, you have to establish the run in high school. You run the ball to get in the playoffs and then you throw the ball to advance. That’s what people say,” said Wroten.

“Because you have a piece like (Vance), and because I believe our offensive line is going to be really, really good, we can run the ball. We have to be physical up front.”

The offensive line is going to be key for the Pointers and Wroten said there are some good veterans and some good newcomers that will make for a good offensive line.

“I really believe our offensive line is going to be strong, we just don’t have a lot of depth,” said Wroten, who praised offensive line coach Tim Aldridge for his work.

Returning at center will be junior Kayleb Adkins (6-0, 220) who Wroten called “one of the strongest kids in our weight room. Straight A student. Smart kid and that’s what you want at center.”

One tackle will be senior Hunter Chinn (6-7, 253) with Jay Marcum (6-2, 240) on the other side.

“I watched him play basketball and he ran pretty well. I said OK, why isn’t he playing football? Hunter wasn’t going to play football, He signed up to play football and ever since he decided to play football, he’s been in the weight room and gone from 245 pounds to 260,” said Wroten.

“I lazer timed (Marcum) at 4.85 in the 40. At the Rio Grande 7on7, he did the linemen’s challenge and never lost a single rep. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to.”

The guards will be senior Bryelin Staley (6-02, 264) and the other side will be senior Cash Westmorland (5-11, 261).

Staley — who throws shot put and discus in track — is the grandson of legendary South Point track coach Randy Smith.

“He’s another one of those kids we recruited the hallways. He’s 6-2, 260, and moves really well,” said Wroten. “Westmorland is working hard and doing a good job.”

The Y receiver is senior Luke Fitzpatrick (6-3, 190) and Wroten said “he’s a mismatch for defensive backs.”

Wroten wants to implement the passing offense used by Hal Mumme, the former head coach at the University of Kentucky.

“From a passing perspective, we have the ability to run up tempo and check with me or to huddle up. We want to be able to control the pace offensively,” said Wroten.

“At the end of the day we’re going to be aggressive. I’m aggressive by nature. But I wouldn’t be doing this team justice if I didn’t run Vance. He can run and he can catch it. He can flair off and make big plays. He made big plays last year.”

The triggerman in the wide-open offense is senior quarterback Ethan Hunt (6-3, 157) back at quarterback, Wroten is confident in the passing game.

“When I got the job, Ethan was the first person I talked to when I got the job,” said Wroten. “He’s a good player. He’s dedicated. He’s pretty fast. He can run the football if he has to. He cares about the South Point community.”

There’s a plethora of wide receivers that includes junior Elyiah Patterson (5-9, 165) who was the team’s leading wide receiver last season. Senior Davon Lewis (5-9,160) is back in a starting role and he will get some work in the backfield. Another starter should be junior Caesyn Pope (6-0, 188).

“With this offense, you want to get the ball in the hands of your best athlete and get him in space. He can do just about everything. He’ll return kicks,” said Wroten.

Sophomore Dom Pegram (5-8, 136) played some last season and brings speed to the attack. Also in the mix will be sophomore Marcus Hanshaw (6-0, 159).

“Pegram can do about anything. He’s a twitch athlete. He catches the ball pretty well,” said Wroten.

Senior Robert Napier (5-5,182) will be in the backfield and will also jump into the passing lane.

“We have a bunch of wide receivers,” said Wroten. “Patterson catches about everything you throw at him. He’s really strong. He wants to be great. He’s one of those kids who is about the team.”

The Pointers will run a 3-4 alignment on defense with Marcum and Staley the ends with freshman Steve Washington (5-10, 271) the nose guard. Also, looking to play up front will be Adkins.

The inside linebackers will be Napier and either sophomore Anthony Neal (6-0, 176) or Caesyn Pope who Wroten called “a good athlete.”

Vance will be an outside linebacker on one side and possibly Neal moving there.

In the secondary, Patterson is back at cornerback along with Pegram. The safeties will be Lewis and Hanshaw.

The placekicker will be senior Ezra Young (5-9, 159) who was All-Ohio in soccer last year. He has a strong leg who can reach the end zone.

Wroten said the biggest thing he has seen from the team is a good attitude.

“These kids have committed — the vast major core I’d say 20 kids — have been with me since February. I don’t believe anybody in the OVC has worked harder than our kids. It’s hard work to be an average football team. It’s still hard work to be a poor football team. It takes a commitment.”

The Pointers have a strong non-league schedule Beaver Eastern, Racine Southern, Wellston and Symmes Valley. The final six games are Ohio Valley Conference games.

“I’m pretty familiar with Fairland and what they do. Coal Grove is going to be a physical football team. That’s who they are. They’re the ones to beat,” said Wroten.

“Gallipolis has good numbers. That’s a sleeping giant just because they’re a bigger school. They have a lot more opportunities. It’s a balanced league.”

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