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The Kanawha Valley has produced talented football players for as long as they've been playing the game here. However, the area hasn't produced a Kennedy Award winner since 2019, when Poca's Ethan Payne won it.

A Kanawha County product hasn't earned the Mountain State's prep version of the Heisman Trophy since TyRhee Pratt from Capital in 2015.

Players heading into this season hope they can cement their name among Mountain State legends.

Here is my take on each of the Valley's 12 teams' top players entering the year:

Hunter Rutan (Buffalo)

Rutan primarily served as a tight end last season for since-departed coach Bob Mullett.

New coach Andy Anderson has moved Rutan into the signal-caller position and hopes to help the Bison rebound from a season in which they averaged 20 points per game.

Rutan, who might arguably have the best hair in the Valley, caught more than 10 passes for 200 yards last season.

David Robinson Jr. (Capital)

Be on the lookout for the Cougars this season, as they've moved to Class AAA, and they have Robinson back for his junior season.

Robinson is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign, which saw him post 179 carries for 1,322 yards and 18 touchdowns.

He's a physical runner and doesn't care who is in front of him. Robinson will either run through the defender or evade him. Watch out.

Clyde May (George Washington)

May is a hybrid guy who can be plugged in just about anywhere and play.

He made a significant impact for the Patriots on the defensive side of the ball last season, recording 77 total tackles, six sacks, six pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.

May figures to play a bigger role on defense this season, who graduated players like Sai'Vyon Brown and Guner Flores.

Blake Fisher (Herbert Hoover)

The Huskies knew where the bulk of their offensive production was coming from the last three to four years with Dane Hatfield as the signal-caller.

Now, Fisher is that guy as he enters his senior season. He played offense, defense and special teams last season for the Huskies, with the bulk of his production coming on offense.

Fisher ran for more than 950 yards last year. The senior Husky has gotten quicker and stronger, which could pose threats to opposing defenses.

AJ Gregory (Hurricane)

Gregory and Kylan Grace shared reps in the Hurricane backfield last season, combining for 2,001 yards on the ground.

Grace has since transferred to Ironton (Ohio), which will now open up carries for Gregory under first-year coach Dustin Hatfield.

The now-senior Redskins running back amassed 624 yards on 82 carries in 2024 while scoring seven touchdowns. He'll be the focal point for Hurricane this season.

Malachi Thompson (Nitro)

I could've mentioned a couple of Wildcats, but Thompson just kept catching my eye.

Thompson, as he's been the last few years, will be the top target for Nitro's quarterback -- and the focal point for opposing defenses to try and slow him down.

Thompson, a ÐÔÊӽ紫ý commit, capped his junior season with 74 catches for 1,593 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Corey Cook (Poca)

Cook, like Capital's David Robinson Jr., shined during his sophomore season.

Cook posted 101 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and two interceptions at linebacker for coach Seth Ramsey.

The junior linebacker leads a Dots defense that is wanting to improve after allowing 34 points per game last season.

Malakhi Hope (Riverside)

Hope had an impressive freshman season for first-year Warriors coach Heath Huffman, earning the Kanawha Valley Rookie of the Year award.

Hope rushed for 934 yards on 121 carries and eight touchdowns last year despite missing three games.

The big question, as it is with many underclassmen, is, can they duplicate last year's success and build on it? Expect a good year for Hope.

Maddox Balog (Sissonville)

Balog will be the focal point of the Indians offense under first-year coach Mikey Hughes.

Balog threw for more than 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

He also rushed for four scores in 2024.

Malcolm Brown (South Charleston)

Brown was a big, dynamic back last season. However, when I saw him during my preseason tour of the Tri-State area, he looked slimmer and quicker.

Brown produced more than 1,000 yards of offense last season.

Black Eagles coach Donnie Mays has coached his fair share of talented running backs at SC, including A.D. Cunningham. Brown hopes to add his name to that list.

Reece Lilly (St. Albans)

Lilly, like Sissonville's Balog, is looking to spark an offense that only averaged 11 points per game in 2024.

Lilly enters his final season at St. Albans and stands 6-foot-3 and weighs around 205 pounds.

Jared Miller (Winfield)

Miller has been a Swiss army knife for Winfield, as he is a three-sport athlete, playing football, baseball and basketball.

Miller enters his junior season for coach Eddie Smolder and returns this season after being plagued with the injury bug last season.

He will be looked upon as the quarterback heading into the 2025 season and hopes to help the Generals rebound from a 4-6 season.