West Virginia high school football returns in 2026 with a preseason ranking that includes a cautionary tale, in addition to the continuation of classic state rivalry games.
Martinsburg starts as No. 1 — Without last year’s title
Martinsburg begins the season as the No. 1 team in the state in the preseason, despite not winning the West Virginia High School Activities Commission’s Class AAAA title last year; that trophy went to Morgantown, which defeated Martinsburg 28-21 in the championship game. Morgantown starts 2026 ranked No. 3, meaning the two best teams in West Virginia, based on their reputations, are separated by a game that has already been played once, with plenty of reason to believe there could be a rematch this season.
Huntington and the rest of the top five
Huntington rounds out the preseason top five after a 9-3 season that included a memorable 22-20 victory over Martinsburg. The Highlanders open the 2026 season on the road against George Rogers Clark and will look to prove that their victory was no fluke. Princeton, the reigning Class AAA state champion, starts at No. 6 after a season in which their senior star racked up nearly 2,500 total yards and 49 touchdowns.
Rivalries Worth Remembering
West Virginia’s 2026 schedule is steeped in history. The “Backyard Battle” between Parkersburg and Parkersburg South, a Mercer County-area rivalry dating back to 1974, resumes this September, with Parkersburg leading the all-time series 40-18. Meanwhile, Spring Valley hosts Huntington in a Labor Day weekend game after a close 30-20 victory in last year’s meeting, and Philip Barbour begins the year looking to build on last season’s 20-13 win over North Marion.
Where to Find the Schedules
The WVSSAC governs West Virginia’s football standings, and the 2026 season is already underway in the Big Ten, Cardinal, Coalfield, Mountain State, and other regional conferences across the state. Complete schedules are available on the WVSSAC website and in the West Virginia football section of MaxPreps.
After the Season
Worth noting: West Virginia is home to some genuinely historic win streaks, and going into 2026, three states nationally — New York, Wyoming, and Oklahoma — each have a program carrying an active streak of 50 wins or more, a reminder of just how dominant a handful of programs can become in smaller states.
Check our Scores page for weekly West Virginia results, and our Rankings page for how the state’s Top 25 shifts throughout 2026.
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