Greenbrier West has long been known as a blue-collar, hard working football program.
Year after year, young men slip on the football helmet to carry forth the Cavalier’ pride and tradition.
Two seniors this year for Greenbrier West, Jayden Robinson and Josh Jones, are prime examples of how important it is to play football in Charmco.
“It is a miracle that Jayden is back with us. He is a tough kid that has been through a lot,” Greenbrier West head coach Toby Harris said. “Josh was hurt in our second game against Summers County. He is still not 100 percent and likely will need surgery down the line. He still gives his all and tries to help us out. He will play anywhere I ask him to go. He is also a tough kid.”
After playing football his freshman season, Robinson was not only sidelined by a freak hunting accident, he nearly lost his life.
“I was hunting, probably about 12 o’clock one night, and there was a low hanging (power) line. It was a three-pole line hanging down and I walked into the middle of it,” Robinson said. “I didn’t know it was there.”
The backwoods of West Virginia is not often conducive to good cell service. Robinson got a break that likely saved his life.
“My brother was with me and he called 911. Thankfully we had service up there,” Robinson said. “I had to get air lifted to Cabell-Huntington Hospital. After that they did some scans and I was sent to Shriner’s (Hospital) in Cincinnati. I was there for three days, but I had to come back every week or so for check-ups. “I had a lot of burns, especially with my head. They were more concerned about my head than my leg.”
Robinson missed his sophomore season of football, but miraculously was back competing in the winter on the wrestling mat.
“I got cleared right after football playoffs my sophomore year and I wrestled my sophomore year,” Robinson said. “I have kinda got back to normal and I am glad to be playing again. I love the atmosphere.”
A baseball kid at heart, Jones battle through a shoulder injury during his junior season on the diamond.
That injury was made worse on a tackle in just the second game of the season against Summers County and forced him to miss several games during the regular season.
“I messed up my shoulder really bad. I went to the doctor and he said I tore my labrum. I was sent to Morgantown and they said I would need an arthogram in December. With surgery I probably wouldn’t be back for baseball. I figured I would play football out for my senior year and get as many memories as I can.”
Playing cornerback on defense, a torn labrum can be a problem having to defend using your arms and hands frequently
“I have been seeing a lot of action, especially last Friday against Mt. View. They are some really fast boys and you are kinda out there all alone,” Jones said laughing. “If you don’t get that jam on the receiver or break right with them, they will burn you and they are gone. A lot times you don’t have much help behind you and all the eyes are on you. There is still a lot of pain, but I just have to push through it.”
The two seniors now hope their shared battle through adversity ends in a shared playoff win over Williamstown Saturday.
“We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team. We have a young team, but they have really stepped up and played their hearts out for us seniors this year,” Jones said. “I think we have done pretty good this year from what people expected. We have been through a lot of adversity.”
Greenbrier West and Williamstown will kick at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
“They have a a lot of good players and are big and strong. It is a long trip, but we will play our hardest,” Jones said.
