GLENVILLE, W.Va. – In an innovative collaboration, Gilmer County Schools and Glenville State University are teaming up to create a brand-new tradition for West Virginia High School Football. Nathan Haynes, Athletic Director for Gilmer County High School, and Jesse Skiles, Athletic Director of Glenville State University, have worked together to pioneer the Ratliff Insurance High School Football Kickoff Classic. The inaugural kickoff will take place on Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30, 2025. This new event – which is slated to take place every year in August – will feature two days of competitive football from high school teams from around the state and beyond. Participating schools will have the opportunity to watch a Glenville State football practice, engage in a tour of the campus and compete with some of the top schools for early-season gridiron supremacy.
The 2025 edition of the Ratliff Insurance High School Football Kickoff Classic will play host to six games games between schools that run the gamut of A to AAAA. The new event will kickoff on Friday with Wahama High School matching up against East Hardy at 5:45 p.m., followed by Gilmer County High School hosting rival Calhoun County High School at 9 p.m. Saturday will begin with the opportunity for teams to watch a Glenville State University football practice from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.. At 11:00 a.m., Midland Trail High School will face off against Clay County. The action continues at 2:10 p.m. with Williamstown High School vs. James Monroe. At 5:20 p.m., Nitro High School will take on Hedgesville in the penultimate contest, and Greenbrier West High School will take on Roane County at approximately 8:30 p.m. to cap off the festivities. The final game will have a special guest to perform a ceremonial coin toss: State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt., as well as a special halftime performance form singer/songwriter Anthony Mossburg. Fans can purchase a ticket that is good for all four games on Saturday at a cost of $12 for an adult and $5 for a student. Parking for the event is $5. Tickets and parking will be the same price on Friday that will be good for both contests.
The focus of the event might be the football games, but the kickoff offers a great opportunity for student-athletes to become acquainted with the myriad of possibilities that are available on GSU's campus. Players and fans from every participating school will have the chance to tour the university's facilities and interface with academics, admissions, and extracurricular programs seeking up-and-coming prospects for the future. The event's organizers hope to attract 1,200 students to the tour, potentially enticing prospective students to enroll at GSU. "Really, the purpose is to showcase the town of Glenville—this county and this community," Skiles stated. "We have an amazing history of what Gilmer County students have accomplished not just athletically but academically throughout the years. We want to take that relationship to another level and collaborate where we are part of this together. These are some traditional power schools that are coming, and to get them here and to give them a great experience – we are really excited about that."
GSU, GCHS and participating schools will all benefit financially from the Kickoff Classic. As the local high school, GCHS will provide logistical support and run the ticket gate, from which they will earn 20% of the proceeds. In addition, each team that plays in the Kickoff Classic on Saturday will receive 10% payout from Saturdays total gate ticket profit. Friday's participants will earn 20% each from the total gate ticket revenue with GSU retaining all profit from running concessions and parking during the two-day event. Additionally, both Skiles and Haynes posited that the influx of fans will provide a boost for the local economy as well.
When asked about potential growth for the future, GCHS Athletic Director Haynes was optimistic about how the Kickoff Classic could become a perennial showcase of the top schools in the state.
"I think that this could be the biggest high school event in the state of WV outside of the state championship games," said Haynes. Not just for the best schools in West Virginia – I've reached out to schools in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. I think we are going to be able to attract some of the best competition in four or five states."
The inception of the Ratliff Insurnace High School Kickoff Classic marks a significant milestone for both the relationship between the two institutions and the high school football landscape in West Virginia. The collision of exciting gridiron action with the showcase of educational and extracurricular opportunities at Glenville State University will surely build community engagement and create lasting memories.
