October 29, 2025 • 35 mins
West Virginia State Police 1st Sgt Kyle Totten on Halloween safety.
University High School Athletics Director Jeff Bailey on the Mohawk Bowl.
Voise of the University Hawks Kyle Wiggs with a preview of the Mohawk Bowl.
University High School Athletics Director Jeff Bailey on the Mohawk Bowl.
Voise of the University Hawks Kyle Wiggs with a preview of the Mohawk Bowl.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klucksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
A good Wednesday morning. It is nine oh six in
the University City Ferris Guy's forty five degrees and Metro
News Aci Weather says today could see a late day
shower at a high fifty five degrees and I've got
a little bit more on the weather coming up, but
we'll keep you posted throughout the day. Welcome to Talk
(00:38):
of the Town. I'm Mike Nolting. You'll find me out
on x's your news guy producing the program. Today. We've
got Ethan Collins in the house. You'll be able to
get Ethan at eight hundred and seven six five A
two five five. Got a text line and would love
to get you to participate in the program today. That
text line number is three four Talk three four. That
(01:02):
is three four talk three four. It is October the
twenty ninth, and with just about two days left in
the month, the Morgante Municipal airport has registered two and
a half inches of rain. I believe exactly at that
number is two point five three inches of rain, and
(01:25):
we should have received about two point eight inches of rain.
We're just slightly behind what we should have received. But
it looks like when you look at the weather forecast,
we've got a one hundred percent chance of rain tonight,
that falls slightly during the day on Thursday, and then
Thursday evening there's another one hundred percent chance of rain,
(01:48):
and all told, it looks like if everything pans out,
we could get up to about an inch and a
half or maybe just a little bit more of rain
up to wrap up the month of October. So that
would get us back on track in terms of forecast moisture.
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines and
(02:10):
then we'll get the program started. Well, by the way
the program, you might ask, Yes, at nine fifteen, we're
going to spend some time with West Virginia State Police
First Sergeant Kyle Totten. We're going to be talking about
Halloween safety, the dues and don'ts. Whether you're a trick
or treater, maybe a family, somebody passing out candy, or
(02:33):
who knows. Maybe you're somebody that's going to be at
home that doesn't want to be bothered. Well, we're going
to have tips for all of you. Coming up at
nine point fifteen with West Virginia State Police First Sergeant
Kyle Totten. Nine thirty, got University High School athletic Director
Jeff Bailey. You know the Mohawk Bull coming up on Friday.
(02:55):
While we're going to talk with Jeff Bailey about parking
about tickets, and I have picked up word or I've
gotten wind that there is the possibility of a stuffed
bear drive. Well, we're gonna we'll run that by Jeff
Bailey coming up at nine thirty, and then we'll preview
(03:16):
the Mohawk Bull with Kyle Wiggs coming up at nine
nine thirty this morning. On Tuesday afternoon, just about one thirty,
Governor Patrick Morrissey held a press event in which he
announced that they are making thirteen million dollars in state
funds available that will be used as match money for
(03:38):
to encourage people to donate to state food pantries as
the federal government shuts down. Shutdown continues, snap benefits will
run out coming up on Saturday, and typically one month
in the state of West Virginia. Well, that equals a
fifty million dollar payment to the SNAP program to take
(04:00):
care of I believe it's about one hundred and forty
four thousand families here in the state on SNAP benefits
now this particular effort, if all of the cash is matched,
that'll equal about twenty six million dollars, or about half
of what the program would get during the period of
(04:21):
a month. We'll keep our eyes on that now. Some
are criticizing the government for the governor for not just
going ahead and fully funding the SNAP benefits for the month.
That will be a conversation for another day. In Preston County,
the federal government shut down. It's cutting in a different direction,
(04:41):
but still it's hurting the operations of their ambulance service there.
It looks like the county commission approved a sixteen thousand
dollars emergency disbursement from the col Severance Fund to go
to Camp Ambulance to help them cover their payroll for
their current payroll. Talking with County Commissioner Hunter Thomas on
(05:06):
Metro News Midday on Tuesday, Thomas says that Medicaid reimbursements
are not being processed Therefore, they've got a lot of
outstanding money with the federal government that they haven't been
able to get yet Challenge number two. Thomas expects that
a backlog in processing those claims will be the next
(05:28):
challenge to face once the government shut down has been mended. Well.
The Randolph County Board of Educations rejected the superintendent's plan
there to close two elementary schools there due to falling
in Roman enrollment, and state Superintendent Michelle Blott has said
that that's kind of a combination of the pandemic, getting
(05:51):
a bunch of money from the federal government, then school choice, hope,
scholarship kind of all came down at the same time.
The district is still operating under a state of emergency.
In Randolph County, the sale of for state run hospitals
looks like that's on track to close on Friday, after
(06:14):
Marion County Judge Matthew Dellagatti overturned a restraining order for
the sale of the John Manchon Senior Healthcare Center in Fairmont.
A Fairmount attorney and State Senator Joey Garcia he filed
that lawsuit on behalf of a resident, saying that the
sale to a private firm could jeopardize the quality of care.
(06:35):
Garcia also argued that really there's been no plan stated
about the new facilities that Marx Development plans to build,
and it could be such a thing that they would
decide to move the John Manchon Senior Healthcare Center out
of Fairmont, which would further burden the client that he
is representing in this case. Nevertheless, the judge is ruled
(06:58):
looks like that sale will go through on Friday. One
person hurt in a Sunday UTV rollover in the Whitehall area.
Members of the Valley Valley Volunteer Fire Department. They found
that UTV on its side Sunday afternoon, just about four
point thirty off River Run Road. Cruz said the driver
(07:18):
had been ejected. They found him about thirty feet away
from the machine. Unidentified driver taken to a local hospital
for treatment. No other information has been released. When we
come back, gonna spend a few minutes with West Virginia
State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten, gonna be talking about
Halloween safety. It's coming up next off Talk of the
(07:40):
Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Well, good Wednesday morning. It is nine to nineteen fairsk guys,
forty five degrees. We're glad you're with us. That text
line is three four talk three four on the phone.
We've got West Virginia State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten
with us. And Hey, good morning, Kyle. How are you today, sir?
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I'm great. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Absolutely, it's a pleasure to have you here, that's for sure.
Now let's see, first Sergeant. I guess when Halloween rolls around,
what kinds of things are the State Police thinking about.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
You know, we're always vigilant as it pertains to d
UI enforcement, you know, and I wouldn't say that the
Halloween season really is, you know, leads to more DUIs,
more driving impaired type scenarios than any other. But you know,
we're always vigilant with that. You know, our traffic enforcement
probably kicks up a little bit because with trick or treating,
(09:01):
there's a lot of you know, a lot of foot
traffic on roadways and in communities, and when trick or
treating or trunk retreat type events are taking place, we
always just want to be visible in the communities and
just let everybody know that we're there. We do have
troopers take part in some of these trunk or treat
type events, and I myself have taken part in a
(09:23):
couple and it's always been a very uplifting and positive experience,
you know, getting to interact with kids and families in
a kind of a fun loving way that otherwise we
may not have the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Sure, West Virginia State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten is
with us. Now, Kyle, this year Halloween falls on a Friday,
does that change the state police approach at all?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
No? No, I don't believe. You know, it might lead to,
you know, maybe some increase in events and being that
it's on a Friday, that a lot of communities might
you know, schedule their trick or treating type schedule that date,
which you know, in other scenarios sometimes it seems like
every town, city or municipality has their events on different days.
(10:09):
But I think this time, with the timing of it, it
might be a little more concentrated.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Okay, Now you mentioned pulling, you know, making traffic stops
on a couple of occasions, and you know, one question
I like to ask police in order to get their
take on this is, well, what do you want people
to do when you pull them over? Because you know,
nine times out of ten that person that you're pulling
over is scared to death, and probably the last time
(10:34):
they got pulled over was three years ago.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I think I've had this conversation with not only the public,
but with young troopers. I've trained several troopers over the
course of my career, and I've always told those troopers
that they need to understand that ninety percent of the time,
if not far higher than you with a far higher percentage,
that traffic stot might be the only interaction that we
as law enforcement have with that citizen throughout the course
(10:59):
of their life, which is a good thing. We need
to consider that. We also need to consider that, you know,
our presence, even if it just simply results in a
you know, a writ warning or even a verbal warning,
you know, is it's going to cause some anxiety. It's
it's you know, it's going to take that average citizen
out of their daily routine.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
So I always tell people, you know, I tell I
tell my personnel, you know, be friendly, be understanding that
people are going to be nervous. Uh and just be friendly. Uh,
you know, communicate clearly and openly and let them know
what's going on. Uh. And I always tell the public that,
you know, anytime I have a chance to tell the public,
and this is a good form, you know, just be friendly.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
We put our pants on, just like everybody else. And
in nine times out of ten, that's that's going to result.
It's not far higher in a in a very positive interaction.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Okay, good deal.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Stop and you know, stop and make sure that you're
pulled off the roadway far enough. Understand that some officers,
not only troopers, but officers from our partner agencies tend
for for officer safety reasons, tend to approach on the
passenger side, which you know, that's to keep us from
standing out in traffic. But a lot of times that
that startles the drivers. So drivers need to be aware
(12:11):
that there are scenarios where officers will approach from the
opposite side. That's not you know, anything to cause them
any concern. It's basically for our safety.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Okay. West Virginia State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten is
with us. What can moms and dads do to maybe
help their goblins navigate the night safely.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
First and foremost, I would say that situational awareness is
important uh both kids but also parents need to understand
it when when a child is wearing, you know, one
of those elaborate costumes that they often do, that it's
going to obstruct their vision, it's going to obstruct their hearing.
So I would suggest that parents try to, you know,
if they're in a trick or treating type environment where
(12:53):
kids are walking from one of residents to the next,
use common sense, but also understand that your child is
probably not going to be as cognive of what's going
on around them, such as traffic. So parents, you know,
while they don't need to be helicopter types, you know,
and be right there on top of them, maybe you know,
stay in a close enough distance away that you can
make sure if they're not stepping out in front of
a car or you know, going to trip and roll
(13:14):
an ankle, you know, on a storm drain or whatever,
because you if they're dressed up as a t rex
or whatever, they're probably not only going to be able
to see things that they otherwise would. I would say
try to keep your children in well at type areas,
you know where trick or treating events have been scheduled
and publicly announced. I think it's kind of calm a
curse that probably only go to homes that have the
(13:37):
porch light on or somebody out waiting for kids, you know,
to greet them. You know, some people either don't take
part in these things, or you know, if it's an
elderly person that may not be able to easily get
up and answer the door. You know, so should go
to homes that look like they're taking part in the event.
Stay off your cell phones. You know, walking, walking and
(13:58):
texting can have it can have its dangerous just like
driving and texting. You know, we're all guilty of it.
But in a scenario where your situational awareness has already compromised,
maybe try to take the cell phone out of it
for a little bit. But parents, just be cognizant. You
can always go through, you know, your your kids candy.
You know, there's a lot of lives tales and urban
(14:19):
legends about stuff being kind of candy. I personally think
that's actually very rare, but it never hurts to go
through and just make sure.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah, that's uh. I think that was always kind of
a rule of thumb in my house was. You know,
we're not necessarily overly suspicious of anyone, but you know,
maybe leave the candy in the bag until you get
home and we can dump it out and just do
a visual inspection.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yeah. Just you know, a little bit of a little
bit of oversight is never a bad thing.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
You know, a lot of parents these days off to
only have their kids involved in trunk retreat events, which
are always you know, publicly sanctioned things, you know, with
with with a lot of participation throughout community. Those are
always great, you know. But I you know, some of
some of my fondest memories as a child were that
of going you know, around trick or treating as a
child with my siblings. And you know, I think kids
(15:10):
still gain a lot by doing that, you know, and
being being out in their community. So it's not a
bad thing, but it just takes a little bit of
additional awareness with parents.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Yeah, And you know what, you bring up a great
point because I do think that this is maybe one
of the first times that as a parent you can
sit down with a young Kyle Totten and tell them
that you know, now when you are given candy, be
sure that you say thank you and you know, say
please be polite.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yes, those those old school parenting techniques and just teaching
of manners and morals really goes a long ways, you know,
because oftentimes with busy lives and sports and school and
everything else, you know, you might have a kid that lives,
you know, less than a block down the street, and
you may not know them, and this might be the
only the only chance that neighbors have to interact. You know.
(16:02):
It's community building, you know, you get to know your neighbors.
You get to know maybe that elderly subject, you know,
it lives down the block of the ways, and it
might generate a relationship to where you know, you've become
more as neighbors and less as just people. If that
makes sense.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Oh, it does make sense, and I think it makes
good sense, if you know what I mean. West Virginia
State Police First Sergeant Kyle Tott and Hey, Kyle, really
do appreciate you taking the time to spend with us today,
and I hope you have a safe Halloween weekend you
as well.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Absolutely you take care of yourself. West Virginia State Police
First Sergeant Kyle Totten certainly do appreciate his time Friday
is going to be very, very busy in the Morgantown area.
Of course, trigg or Treating runs in the city from
six until eight pm, plus the spectacular, the Morgantown Spoctacular
(17:02):
that'll be down on the waterfront from four until six
pm as well, And now that event will include some
movie screenings after the main event. They'll screen hocus Pocus
and also The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and I guess
this is the fiftieth anniversary of that particular movie. I
(17:24):
think the important thing to bring up here is the
fact that while all this is going on down on
the waterfront, there's gonna be a lot of excitement brewing
in the city for the Mohawk Bowl that'll be played
up on Baker's Ridge. So we'll have to see who
participates in what and what exactly is around I guess
(17:48):
for the where is the city going to be busy,
Who's going to trigg or Treat and who won't. Now
back to the Spooctacular at the water front, we did
talk with the Director of Arts and Culture with the
City of Morgantown, Vincent Kitsch. Vincent says there could be
some remaining spaces available for nonprofits or groups that would
(18:12):
like to get involved in that event. You can get
in touch with Vincent at the City by calling three
zero four two eight four seven four seven to two.
Coming up next, we will spend a few minutes with
University High School athletics director Jeff Bailey. We're gonna get
some details about the layout of the Mohawk Bowl up
(18:36):
on Baker's Ridge, and we'll talk about ticket prices, parking
and shuttles, and you know, I'm sure at some point
during the conversation we're gonna be told, hey, listen, don't
walk along Baker's Ridge Road unless you absolutely have to,
because I do believe that they will have a shuttle.
We'll do that next with University athletic director Jeff Bailey.
(19:00):
Right now, fair skies and forty five degrees. If you
need to get the lawn mode or something before the weekend,
Today's going to be your day to do it, because
the rain will move in late this afternoon and then
this evening the chance of rain moves up to one
hundred percent, and a Thursday it'll be at ninety percent,
(19:24):
back to one hundred percent on Thursday night. So if
you've got some outdoor work that you need to get
done before the weekend. Today, today is the day to
get that done.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
A good Wednesday morning. It is a nine thirty four
fair skies forty five degrees in the University City. On
the phone, we've got Jeff Bailey, Athletics director of University
High School. Good morning, Jeff. How are you today, sir?
Speaker 4 (20:06):
Good morning. It's a privilege to be on here with you.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
I'm glad that you took the time. Jeff. Okay, preparations
on Baker's Ridge for the Mohawk Bowl. What's your status
where you at?
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Oh, we're good to go. We're ready to go. You know,
I know a lot of people get excited about this game.
We just run it just like any other home game
that we have, just probably going to have a little
bit of a bigger crowd. But we usually do all
of our great game prep on Monday and Tuesday of
the week of so we are good to go. Field's ready,
(20:42):
all the administrative stuff is ready. Just a few little
loose ends to tie up, and we're ready to play
football game on Friday. But before then, we know we've
got our girls soccer team in our regional on Thursday,
and our volleyball team in a regional and then prepare
to get our cross country team to the state meet
for Saturday. So it's pretty busy time up here.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
You got a few balls in the air, that's for sure. Now,
Jeff tell us about tickets. If people are looking for
tickets for the Mohawk Bull, how do we go about
getting those?
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Well, they'll be sold at the gate. We've kind of
straight away from any pregame because there's really no advantage
to a cost reduction. So everything is going to be
sold at the gate and it'll be either cash or
card at the gate, and so anybody just show up early,
make sure you know, get in, and we've got some
(21:40):
alternate parking areas that if our lot gets fulled, we
do have parking across the street from our school where
we have shuttle buses that'll be running. So we have
everything prepared and go. But ticket wise, just cash or
card at the gate. We're not going to do any
pregame sales, okay.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
And then you bring up the shuttles because definitely don't
want people, you know, trying to hoof it up Baker's
Ridge Road.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
Absolutely, and so yeah, we have made arrangements and there's
signs that will lead them to the alternate parking again
just a little ways away. But we do have mon
County school buses that run shuttles all throughout the night.
That's to get you to the stadium and then also
to get you back. They're here well after the game
is over, getting everybody back to their cars, so that
(22:26):
nobody is walking on Baker's Ridge Road.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Now, heaven forbid it would happen. But if someone would
have to leave the game early, can they catch a shuttle?
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Then yes, Shuttles run all throughout the game, and we
right from the beginning. We'll start just after five o'clock
and they'll go all throughout the game. They just keep
going in a rotation all the way through till well
after the game.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Okay, now, let's talk about this girl soccer team for
just a little bit, because I think we need to
cast some praise upon them. Tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
Yeah, we've we've had a really really uh great fall.
A lot of our you know, some of our team's
seasons are complete, but our our girls have advanced to
the uh to this big game. Now they're playing they
got a tough foe and uh, William Park High School,
who's the number one team in the state. We've played
them a couple of times regular season and in the
(23:20):
O v A C Championship game, and uh, we definitely
have a tall order in front of us. But we're
going to the Island and playing on Thursday night, and
then of course our volleyball regional start on also on Thursday,
where we head over to Musseling to take on a
very tough muscling team with it's a little unique now
with all these North regions and South regions and the
(23:42):
way everything's been classified. And then heck, after the Mohawks
ball on Friday, then our cross country team is that
the you know cross country teams excuse me, or at
the you know state meet on Saturday mornings. So we're
going to make a really early trip down to Huntington
down to Capitol Midland High School and then go a
week later. And our cheerleaders are in the regional. So
(24:03):
we've got a very very very busy two weeks for sure.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Yes you do, University High School Athletics director Jeff Bailey,
but Jeff definitely wish you guys luck throughout the weekend,
and as far as the Mohawk Bowl goes, you know,
all I can say is may the best team win.
I got to stay neutral.
Speaker 4 (24:23):
Well I'm not so neutral, so I haven't been neutral
since since I got this job thirty one years ago.
But you know, it's a great, great atmosphere. These are
young men, not only just not only our football team,
our cheerleaders are being These are people that hang out
(24:44):
with each other all throughout the school year, all throughout
the week, and then when they strap on the helmets,
they are competing against each other, and then they'll probably
be hanging out with each other again on Saturday. It
was really neat to see when both of my boys
played that. Honest to goodness, they were battling as hard
as they could on Friday night, and then the rest
(25:07):
of the weekend they were hanging out with their buddies
from the opposite school. So it's a very unique rivalry
being that both teams are in town, and it's just
an exciting event. And one thing I would like to add,
we're really excited that we do have a corporate sponsor
of the Mohawk Bowl. Now it's the Hope Gas Mohawk Bowl,
and we're really excited to have them join in on
(25:30):
the festivities and be a part of this really really,
really fun, fun game.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Jeff, you brought up the uniqueness of this matchup, and
I'd like to go just a little bit deeper if
we could, because in the Quada rankings, Morgantown is third,
University is fourth, Morgantown coming off of a bye. But then,
you know, this is one of those rivalry games where
you can throw all of that stuff out the window.
(25:57):
What do you think about this matchup?
Speaker 4 (25:59):
Well, Uh, two very very good teams. I know that
you know, our our coaching staff has watched more film
than they probably should have. And and you know there's
a reason why Morgantown High School is number three. They
are very very good this season. Uh, they've proven themselves.
They had one hiccup against you know, one of the
(26:21):
best teams in the history of this state. Uh, and
University High School had a couple of hookup you know,
hiccups through the year. And uh, but both teams are
playing really well. I know that our coaches know and
our players know that they have a tall order in
front of them. And uh, you know, a team that's
going to come into University High School and do everything
(26:41):
they can to get the win. And I know our
kids are going to dig deep. And I know that
sounds like clicheish coach talk, but you're exactly right when
you when you when you have a rivalry game like this,
There's been times that I've seen University High School being
the quote unquote lesser team on paper and University High
School winning and I've seen it just the opposite, where
(27:02):
Morgantown on papers shouldn't have won and they did. So
it just depends on you know, the game and the
night and you know who's on their game that night.
And this one's going to be a really good one.
Two very very good football teams are going to be
battling it out up here on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
Now, tell us about the running back situation for the.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Hawks, Well, you know, it's it was very, very unfortunate.
We had our starting tellback that started last year as
a freshman and he you know, was starting all you
know beginning of this year. Brody Taylor unfortunately got injured
in the Willing Park game and has been out and
(27:44):
you know, will be out the rest of the season.
With his injury, and you know, they again another coaches
cliche comment of next man up, and wow, wow did
Marcus Kaniska, who is a senior and has played I'm
back or force for the last couple of years, and
he stepped right in. And you know, Marcos is a
(28:06):
different type of running back. You know, he is a
lower your shoulder and pounded out for the you know,
the three or four or five yards and break one
here or there. He has done an outstanding job of
filling in for our starter, you know, through at the
beginning of the year, and Marcos is really come into
his own and has been exceptional, especially in the second
(28:29):
half of the season.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It's kind of what you expect when you put a
linebacker at the position of running back.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
Don't you Yeah, just two totally different styles. I'm you know,
Brody was speed and had vision and a patient, very
very very sophomore, one of the most patient runners I've
ever seen running backs and would just wait on the
whole to open up and accelerate. And and Marcos, you're
exactly right as the kind of kid who's going to
(28:58):
do everything he can to run you over and get
that extra two or three yards.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
I kind of like that approach myself.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
Absolutely, it's definitely an old school football look for.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Sure, you bet you okay, University High School Athletics Director,
Jeff Bailey. Jeff, I've enjoyed our conversation.
Speaker 4 (29:17):
Thank you, absolutely, my pleasure, and we just encourage everybody
please come out on Friday. You know we're gonna be
dealing with a little bit of weather, but that's welcome
to football season in October. And what makes it even
more special is that it's Halloween, and you know, we
want everybody to come out and enjoy Halloween night.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Absolutely. Hey Jeff, have a great day and great rest
of your week. Thank you.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
I'm standing all right. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
Hey, you bet you take care of yourself. Jeff Bailey,
University High School Athletic Director. When we come back, I'm
going to bring the voice of the Hawks into the studio,
Kyle Wiggs. We'll get his take on the Mohawk Bowl
coming up. That's next on Talk of the Town A
forty f M one oh four point five.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two five five. This is the Talk of
the Town.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Good Wednesday morning, West Virginia five one one shows an
incident free Interstate system Metro Newszaki Weather says fair and
forty five for the moment, and the Texter says, let
me get to the Texter. The Texter says, Wiggs and
Kelly are must listen. Great broadcast, Kyle Wiggs in the studio, just.
Speaker 5 (30:46):
Like Summer Hall and Madden. Huh yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Well, you know, I tell you I you know, last
weekend the game at Preston, all the penalties, yeak, you know,
we were talking about that and Mike question to you is,
you know, did you have to hang on to Kelly's
collar to keep him from going down on the field.
Speaker 5 (31:06):
Uh No, But he pretty much says what he's thinking. It,
you know, kind of comes out and he thinks like
a coach. So it's good. Yeah, he's he's he's brought
a lot to it. And this is going to be
unique Friday because the broadcast crews will be combined. John
halbrid Or will join us in the booth and Dave's
going to go down on the field, so we'll have
(31:28):
a we'll have a four man crew.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Now, let's see, just got off the phone with University
High Athletics director Jeff Bailey, Jeff Bailey says, you know what,
don't count these Hawks out at all.
Speaker 5 (31:40):
No, I agree. I mean, it's they've got the home field,
which doesn't sound like much because it's just a trip
across town, but it is fairly significant. Morgantown has a
situational advantage in that it was off last week, so
that's pretty crucial at this time of year when everybody's
banged up.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
But especially with the health of Mattox twig right exactly.
Speaker 5 (32:03):
But one thing coach Kelly has always said is that
it's impossible to get your team up to play a
game after the Mohawk Bull. So this is the way
University prefers it. They prefer to play their ten games
in the first ten weeks of the season, take the
week off after the Mohawk Bull, rest up, get healthy
for the playoffs. So but in terms of University, there's
(32:26):
some things that make them unique. You know, they're the
second highest scoring team in Quad A, second only behind Martinsburg,
and their tempo is tough to deal with because and
the reason I say that, I mean, the facts kind
of bear that out. In the first quarter of games,
University has outscored its opponents one sixteen to twenty seven.
(32:48):
That's convincing, one sixteen to twenty seven in the first quarter.
And they've had the lead in eight of their first
nine games. The only one they didn't was the trip
to Butler, where they, for whatever reason, struggled early on
and gave up two quick touchdowns. They gave up on
what the defense didn't even give up one of those.
There was a pick six and then Butler scored again quickly.
(33:11):
So that's the only game all year that they've fallen behind.
So fourteen of those twenty seven first quarter points were
in that game, the loss at Butler. But it you
know again, that tempo is lightning fast. And if you
come to the game, or if you've seen University, you
know you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
You know, Jeff said that the coaches have been immersed
in a lot of film. So when they take a
look at that Morgantown defense, what are.
Speaker 5 (33:38):
They looking at Morgantown's Morgantown's got a game wrecker in
Zavon Shipman, and I saw Morgantown beat. Of course, I've
been with University every week, but Morgantown's opener was on
a Thursday against Parkersburg and I watch that and Shipman
was the best player on the field, and I doubt
(33:59):
that's changed much since then, but that's what stands out
number fifty on Morgantown's defensive line. All of their defensive
linemen are good, but again, Shipman's just a game breaker,
so you have to account for him. You probably have
to double him, you know, you may. You've got to
keep him off your quarterback. You know again that that tempo,
(34:22):
but it's a quick strike type offense. The University throws
a lot, so you got to keep your quarterback up right,
and that's a significant challenge.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
Is Kaniska the kind of runner that could take care
of ship.
Speaker 5 (34:36):
Well, he's a yeah, okay, I see what you're saying.
I mean, yes, he's got the ability to perhaps beat
that blitz or rush with a draw. And he's also
a blocker, so he'll stay back. At University rarely goes empty.
They do go empty sometimes, but Kaniska, if he's not
running the ball, he's a tremendous blocker. He's a linebacker,
(34:56):
so that will be significant in this game, and keeping
him in the backfield to block or to chip those
Morgantown defensive linemen and linebackers. They are going to be
blitzing a lot, probably trying to get to the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Got just about thirty five seconds. Please tell us who
wins this game?
Speaker 5 (35:17):
Are you going to put me on the shot? Morgantown
is a more veteran team, you know. But again, University
at home with the balance they've had with Kaniska emerging
as say, running back to compliment the passing game and
all the weapons they have to the outside, I'll go
ahead and pick the upset of University winning twenty three
(35:41):
to twenty.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
Oh okay, even provided a score. Didn't ask for that. Hey, Kyle,
thanks a lot for coming in. Allreciate it. Okay, we'll
be back to wrap things up. Coming up next on
Talk of the Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh
four point five. W. A.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
J R.
This is the Talk of the Town from Morgantown to Klucksburg.
If it's happening, we're talking about it. Call the show
toll free at one eight hundred seven sixty five eight
two fivey five. Now Here is your host for the
Talk of the Town, Mike Nolting.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
A good Wednesday morning. It is nine oh six in
the University City Ferris Guy's forty five degrees and Metro
News Aci Weather says today could see a late day
shower at a high fifty five degrees and I've got
a little bit more on the weather coming up, but
we'll keep you posted throughout the day. Welcome to Talk
(00:38):
of the Town. I'm Mike Nolting. You'll find me out
on x's your news guy producing the program. Today. We've
got Ethan Collins in the house. You'll be able to
get Ethan at eight hundred and seven six five A
two five five. Got a text line and would love
to get you to participate in the program today. That
text line number is three four Talk three four. That
(01:02):
is three four talk three four. It is October the
twenty ninth, and with just about two days left in
the month, the Morgante Municipal airport has registered two and
a half inches of rain. I believe exactly at that
number is two point five three inches of rain, and
(01:25):
we should have received about two point eight inches of rain.
We're just slightly behind what we should have received. But
it looks like when you look at the weather forecast,
we've got a one hundred percent chance of rain tonight,
that falls slightly during the day on Thursday, and then
Thursday evening there's another one hundred percent chance of rain,
(01:48):
and all told, it looks like if everything pans out,
we could get up to about an inch and a
half or maybe just a little bit more of rain
up to wrap up the month of October. So that
would get us back on track in terms of forecast moisture.
Let's take a look at a couple of headlines and
(02:10):
then we'll get the program started. Well, by the way
the program, you might ask, Yes, at nine fifteen, we're
going to spend some time with West Virginia State Police
First Sergeant Kyle Totten. We're going to be talking about
Halloween safety, the dues and don'ts. Whether you're a trick
or treater, maybe a family, somebody passing out candy, or
(02:33):
who knows. Maybe you're somebody that's going to be at
home that doesn't want to be bothered. Well, we're going
to have tips for all of you. Coming up at
nine point fifteen with West Virginia State Police First Sergeant
Kyle Totten. Nine thirty, got University High School athletic Director
Jeff Bailey. You know the Mohawk Bull coming up on Friday.
(02:55):
While we're going to talk with Jeff Bailey about parking
about tickets, and I have picked up word or I've
gotten wind that there is the possibility of a stuffed
bear drive. Well, we're gonna we'll run that by Jeff
Bailey coming up at nine thirty, and then we'll preview
(03:16):
the Mohawk Bull with Kyle Wiggs coming up at nine
nine thirty this morning. On Tuesday afternoon, just about one thirty,
Governor Patrick Morrissey held a press event in which he
announced that they are making thirteen million dollars in state
funds available that will be used as match money for
(03:38):
to encourage people to donate to state food pantries as
the federal government shuts down. Shutdown continues, snap benefits will
run out coming up on Saturday, and typically one month
in the state of West Virginia. Well, that equals a
fifty million dollar payment to the SNAP program to take
(04:00):
care of I believe it's about one hundred and forty
four thousand families here in the state on SNAP benefits
now this particular effort, if all of the cash is matched,
that'll equal about twenty six million dollars, or about half
of what the program would get during the period of
(04:21):
a month. We'll keep our eyes on that now. Some
are criticizing the government for the governor for not just
going ahead and fully funding the SNAP benefits for the month.
That will be a conversation for another day. In Preston County,
the federal government shut down. It's cutting in a different direction,
(04:41):
but still it's hurting the operations of their ambulance service there.
It looks like the county commission approved a sixteen thousand
dollars emergency disbursement from the col Severance Fund to go
to Camp Ambulance to help them cover their payroll for
their current payroll. Talking with County Commissioner Hunter Thomas on
(05:06):
Metro News Midday on Tuesday, Thomas says that Medicaid reimbursements
are not being processed Therefore, they've got a lot of
outstanding money with the federal government that they haven't been
able to get yet Challenge number two. Thomas expects that
a backlog in processing those claims will be the next
(05:28):
challenge to face once the government shut down has been mended. Well.
The Randolph County Board of Educations rejected the superintendent's plan
there to close two elementary schools there due to falling
in Roman enrollment, and state Superintendent Michelle Blott has said
that that's kind of a combination of the pandemic, getting
(05:51):
a bunch of money from the federal government, then school choice, hope,
scholarship kind of all came down at the same time.
The district is still operating under a state of emergency.
In Randolph County, the sale of for state run hospitals
looks like that's on track to close on Friday, after
(06:14):
Marion County Judge Matthew Dellagatti overturned a restraining order for
the sale of the John Manchon Senior Healthcare Center in Fairmont.
A Fairmount attorney and State Senator Joey Garcia he filed
that lawsuit on behalf of a resident, saying that the
sale to a private firm could jeopardize the quality of care.
(06:35):
Garcia also argued that really there's been no plan stated
about the new facilities that Marx Development plans to build,
and it could be such a thing that they would
decide to move the John Manchon Senior Healthcare Center out
of Fairmont, which would further burden the client that he
is representing in this case. Nevertheless, the judge is ruled
(06:58):
looks like that sale will go through on Friday. One
person hurt in a Sunday UTV rollover in the Whitehall area.
Members of the Valley Valley Volunteer Fire Department. They found
that UTV on its side Sunday afternoon, just about four
point thirty off River Run Road. Cruz said the driver
(07:18):
had been ejected. They found him about thirty feet away
from the machine. Unidentified driver taken to a local hospital
for treatment. No other information has been released. When we
come back, gonna spend a few minutes with West Virginia
State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten, gonna be talking about
Halloween safety. It's coming up next off Talk of the
(07:40):
Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh four point five WAJR.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Now back to the talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Well, good Wednesday morning. It is nine to nineteen fairsk guys,
forty five degrees. We're glad you're with us. That text
line is three four talk three four on the phone.
We've got West Virginia State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten
with us. And Hey, good morning, Kyle. How are you today, sir?
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I'm great. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Absolutely, it's a pleasure to have you here, that's for sure.
Now let's see, first Sergeant. I guess when Halloween rolls around,
what kinds of things are the State Police thinking about.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
You know, we're always vigilant as it pertains to d
UI enforcement, you know, and I wouldn't say that the
Halloween season really is, you know, leads to more DUIs,
more driving impaired type scenarios than any other. But you know,
we're always vigilant with that. You know, our traffic enforcement
probably kicks up a little bit because with trick or treating,
(09:01):
there's a lot of you know, a lot of foot
traffic on roadways and in communities, and when trick or
treating or trunk retreat type events are taking place, we
always just want to be visible in the communities and
just let everybody know that we're there. We do have
troopers take part in some of these trunk or treat
type events, and I myself have taken part in a
(09:23):
couple and it's always been a very uplifting and positive experience,
you know, getting to interact with kids and families in
a kind of a fun loving way that otherwise we
may not have the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Sure, West Virginia State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten is
with us. Now, Kyle, this year Halloween falls on a Friday,
does that change the state police approach at all?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
No? No, I don't believe. You know, it might lead to,
you know, maybe some increase in events and being that
it's on a Friday, that a lot of communities might
you know, schedule their trick or treating type schedule that date,
which you know, in other scenarios sometimes it seems like
every town, city or municipality has their events on different days.
(10:09):
But I think this time, with the timing of it, it
might be a little more concentrated.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Okay, Now you mentioned pulling, you know, making traffic stops
on a couple of occasions, and you know, one question
I like to ask police in order to get their
take on this is, well, what do you want people
to do when you pull them over? Because you know,
nine times out of ten that person that you're pulling
over is scared to death, and probably the last time
(10:34):
they got pulled over was three years ago.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
I think I've had this conversation with not only the public,
but with young troopers. I've trained several troopers over the
course of my career, and I've always told those troopers
that they need to understand that ninety percent of the time,
if not far higher than you with a far higher percentage,
that traffic stot might be the only interaction that we
as law enforcement have with that citizen throughout the course
(10:59):
of their life, which is a good thing. We need
to consider that. We also need to consider that, you know,
our presence, even if it just simply results in a
you know, a writ warning or even a verbal warning,
you know, is it's going to cause some anxiety. It's
it's you know, it's going to take that average citizen
out of their daily routine.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
So I always tell people, you know, I tell I
tell my personnel, you know, be friendly, be understanding that
people are going to be nervous. Uh and just be friendly. Uh,
you know, communicate clearly and openly and let them know
what's going on. Uh. And I always tell the public that,
you know, anytime I have a chance to tell the public,
and this is a good form, you know, just be friendly.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
We put our pants on, just like everybody else. And
in nine times out of ten, that's that's going to result.
It's not far higher in a in a very positive interaction.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Okay, good deal.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Stop and you know, stop and make sure that you're
pulled off the roadway far enough. Understand that some officers,
not only troopers, but officers from our partner agencies tend
for for officer safety reasons, tend to approach on the
passenger side, which you know, that's to keep us from
standing out in traffic. But a lot of times that
that startles the drivers. So drivers need to be aware
(12:11):
that there are scenarios where officers will approach from the
opposite side. That's not you know, anything to cause them
any concern. It's basically for our safety.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Okay. West Virginia State Police First Sergeant Kyle Totten is
with us. What can moms and dads do to maybe
help their goblins navigate the night safely.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
First and foremost, I would say that situational awareness is
important uh both kids but also parents need to understand
it when when a child is wearing, you know, one
of those elaborate costumes that they often do, that it's
going to obstruct their vision, it's going to obstruct their hearing.
So I would suggest that parents try to, you know,
if they're in a trick or treating type environment where
(12:53):
kids are walking from one of residents to the next,
use common sense, but also understand that your child is
probably not going to be as cognive of what's going
on around them, such as traffic. So parents, you know,
while they don't need to be helicopter types, you know,
and be right there on top of them, maybe you know,
stay in a close enough distance away that you can
make sure if they're not stepping out in front of
a car or you know, going to trip and roll
(13:14):
an ankle, you know, on a storm drain or whatever,
because you if they're dressed up as a t rex
or whatever, they're probably not only going to be able
to see things that they otherwise would. I would say
try to keep your children in well at type areas,
you know where trick or treating events have been scheduled
and publicly announced. I think it's kind of calm a
curse that probably only go to homes that have the
(13:37):
porch light on or somebody out waiting for kids, you know,
to greet them. You know, some people either don't take
part in these things, or you know, if it's an
elderly person that may not be able to easily get
up and answer the door. You know, so should go
to homes that look like they're taking part in the event.
Stay off your cell phones. You know, walking, walking and
(13:58):
texting can have it can have its dangerous just like
driving and texting. You know, we're all guilty of it.
But in a scenario where your situational awareness has already compromised,
maybe try to take the cell phone out of it
for a little bit. But parents, just be cognizant. You
can always go through, you know, your your kids candy.
You know, there's a lot of lives tales and urban
(14:19):
legends about stuff being kind of candy. I personally think
that's actually very rare, but it never hurts to go
through and just make sure.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah, that's uh. I think that was always kind of
a rule of thumb in my house was. You know,
we're not necessarily overly suspicious of anyone, but you know,
maybe leave the candy in the bag until you get
home and we can dump it out and just do
a visual inspection.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yeah. Just you know, a little bit of a little
bit of oversight is never a bad thing.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
You know, a lot of parents these days off to
only have their kids involved in trunk retreat events, which
are always you know, publicly sanctioned things, you know, with
with with a lot of participation throughout community. Those are
always great, you know. But I you know, some of
some of my fondest memories as a child were that
of going you know, around trick or treating as a
child with my siblings. And you know, I think kids
(15:10):
still gain a lot by doing that, you know, and
being being out in their community. So it's not a
bad thing, but it just takes a little bit of
additional awareness with parents.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Yeah, And you know what, you bring up a great
point because I do think that this is maybe one
of the first times that as a parent you can
sit down with a young Kyle Totten and tell them
that you know, now when you are given candy, be
sure that you say thank you and you know, say
please be polite.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yes, those those old school parenting techniques and just teaching
of manners and morals really goes a long ways, you know,
because oftentimes with busy lives and sports and school and
everything else, you know, you might have a kid that lives,
you know, less than a block down the street, and
you may not know them, and this might be the
only the only chance that neighbors have to interact. You know.
(16:02):
It's community building, you know, you get to know your neighbors.
You get to know maybe that elderly subject, you know,
it lives down the block of the ways, and it
might generate a relationship to where you know, you've become
more as neighbors and less as just people. If that
makes sense.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Oh, it does make sense, and I think it makes
good sense, if you know what I mean. West Virginia
State Police First Sergeant Kyle Tott and Hey, Kyle, really
do appreciate you taking the time to spend with us today,
and I hope you have a safe Halloween weekend you
as well.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Absolutely you take care of yourself. West Virginia State Police
First Sergeant Kyle Totten certainly do appreciate his time Friday
is going to be very, very busy in the Morgantown area.
Of course, trigg or Treating runs in the city from
six until eight pm, plus the spectacular, the Morgantown Spoctacular
(17:02):
that'll be down on the waterfront from four until six
pm as well, And now that event will include some
movie screenings after the main event. They'll screen hocus Pocus
and also The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and I guess
this is the fiftieth anniversary of that particular movie. I
(17:24):
think the important thing to bring up here is the
fact that while all this is going on down on
the waterfront, there's gonna be a lot of excitement brewing
in the city for the Mohawk Bowl that'll be played
up on Baker's Ridge. So we'll have to see who
participates in what and what exactly is around I guess
(17:48):
for the where is the city going to be busy,
Who's going to trigg or Treat and who won't. Now
back to the Spooctacular at the water front, we did
talk with the Director of Arts and Culture with the
City of Morgantown, Vincent Kitsch. Vincent says there could be
some remaining spaces available for nonprofits or groups that would
(18:12):
like to get involved in that event. You can get
in touch with Vincent at the City by calling three
zero four two eight four seven four seven to two.
Coming up next, we will spend a few minutes with
University High School athletics director Jeff Bailey. We're gonna get
some details about the layout of the Mohawk Bowl up
(18:36):
on Baker's Ridge, and we'll talk about ticket prices, parking
and shuttles, and you know, I'm sure at some point
during the conversation we're gonna be told, hey, listen, don't
walk along Baker's Ridge Road unless you absolutely have to,
because I do believe that they will have a shuttle.
We'll do that next with University athletic director Jeff Bailey.
(19:00):
Right now, fair skies and forty five degrees. If you
need to get the lawn mode or something before the weekend,
Today's going to be your day to do it, because
the rain will move in late this afternoon and then
this evening the chance of rain moves up to one
hundred percent, and a Thursday it'll be at ninety percent,
(19:24):
back to one hundred percent on Thursday night. So if
you've got some outdoor work that you need to get
done before the weekend. Today, today is the day to
get that done.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
We are talking about your town. Now back to the
talk of the town.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
A good Wednesday morning. It is a nine thirty four
fair skies forty five degrees in the University City. On
the phone, we've got Jeff Bailey, Athletics director of University
High School. Good morning, Jeff. How are you today, sir?
Speaker 4 (20:06):
Good morning. It's a privilege to be on here with you.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
I'm glad that you took the time. Jeff. Okay, preparations
on Baker's Ridge for the Mohawk Bowl. What's your status
where you at?
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Oh, we're good to go. We're ready to go. You know,
I know a lot of people get excited about this game.
We just run it just like any other home game
that we have, just probably going to have a little
bit of a bigger crowd. But we usually do all
of our great game prep on Monday and Tuesday of
the week of so we are good to go. Field's ready,
(20:42):
all the administrative stuff is ready. Just a few little
loose ends to tie up, and we're ready to play
football game on Friday. But before then, we know we've
got our girls soccer team in our regional on Thursday,
and our volleyball team in a regional and then prepare
to get our cross country team to the state meet
for Saturday. So it's pretty busy time up here.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
You got a few balls in the air, that's for sure. Now,
Jeff tell us about tickets. If people are looking for
tickets for the Mohawk Bull, how do we go about
getting those?
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Well, they'll be sold at the gate. We've kind of
straight away from any pregame because there's really no advantage
to a cost reduction. So everything is going to be
sold at the gate and it'll be either cash or
card at the gate, and so anybody just show up early,
make sure you know, get in, and we've got some
(21:40):
alternate parking areas that if our lot gets fulled, we
do have parking across the street from our school where
we have shuttle buses that'll be running. So we have
everything prepared and go. But ticket wise, just cash or
card at the gate. We're not going to do any
pregame sales, okay.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
And then you bring up the shuttles because definitely don't
want people, you know, trying to hoof it up Baker's
Ridge Road.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
Absolutely, and so yeah, we have made arrangements and there's
signs that will lead them to the alternate parking again
just a little ways away. But we do have mon
County school buses that run shuttles all throughout the night.
That's to get you to the stadium and then also
to get you back. They're here well after the game
is over, getting everybody back to their cars, so that
(22:26):
nobody is walking on Baker's Ridge Road.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Now, heaven forbid it would happen. But if someone would
have to leave the game early, can they catch a shuttle?
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Then yes, Shuttles run all throughout the game, and we
right from the beginning. We'll start just after five o'clock
and they'll go all throughout the game. They just keep
going in a rotation all the way through till well
after the game.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Okay, now, let's talk about this girl soccer team for
just a little bit, because I think we need to
cast some praise upon them. Tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
Yeah, we've we've had a really really uh great fall.
A lot of our you know, some of our team's
seasons are complete, but our our girls have advanced to
the uh to this big game. Now they're playing they
got a tough foe and uh, William Park High School,
who's the number one team in the state. We've played
them a couple of times regular season and in the
(23:20):
O v A C Championship game, and uh, we definitely
have a tall order in front of us. But we're
going to the Island and playing on Thursday night, and
then of course our volleyball regional start on also on Thursday,
where we head over to Musseling to take on a
very tough muscling team with it's a little unique now
with all these North regions and South regions and the
(23:42):
way everything's been classified. And then heck, after the Mohawks
ball on Friday, then our cross country team is that
the you know cross country teams excuse me, or at
the you know state meet on Saturday mornings. So we're
going to make a really early trip down to Huntington
down to Capitol Midland High School and then go a
week later. And our cheerleaders are in the regional. So
(24:03):
we've got a very very very busy two weeks for sure.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Yes you do, University High School Athletics director Jeff Bailey,
but Jeff definitely wish you guys luck throughout the weekend,
and as far as the Mohawk Bowl goes, you know,
all I can say is may the best team win.
I got to stay neutral.
Speaker 4 (24:23):
Well I'm not so neutral, so I haven't been neutral
since since I got this job thirty one years ago.
But you know, it's a great, great atmosphere. These are
young men, not only just not only our football team,
our cheerleaders are being These are people that hang out
(24:44):
with each other all throughout the school year, all throughout
the week, and then when they strap on the helmets,
they are competing against each other, and then they'll probably
be hanging out with each other again on Saturday. It
was really neat to see when both of my boys
played that. Honest to goodness, they were battling as hard
as they could on Friday night, and then the rest
(25:07):
of the weekend they were hanging out with their buddies
from the opposite school. So it's a very unique rivalry
being that both teams are in town, and it's just
an exciting event. And one thing I would like to add,
we're really excited that we do have a corporate sponsor
of the Mohawk Bowl. Now it's the Hope Gas Mohawk Bowl,
and we're really excited to have them join in on
(25:30):
the festivities and be a part of this really really,
really fun, fun game.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Jeff, you brought up the uniqueness of this matchup, and
I'd like to go just a little bit deeper if
we could, because in the Quada rankings, Morgantown is third,
University is fourth, Morgantown coming off of a bye. But then,
you know, this is one of those rivalry games where
you can throw all of that stuff out the window.
(25:57):
What do you think about this matchup?
Speaker 4 (25:59):
Well, Uh, two very very good teams. I know that
you know, our our coaching staff has watched more film
than they probably should have. And and you know there's
a reason why Morgantown High School is number three. They
are very very good this season. Uh, they've proven themselves.
They had one hiccup against you know, one of the
(26:21):
best teams in the history of this state. Uh, and
University High School had a couple of hookup you know,
hiccups through the year. And uh, but both teams are
playing really well. I know that our coaches know and
our players know that they have a tall order in
front of them. And uh, you know, a team that's
going to come into University High School and do everything
(26:41):
they can to get the win. And I know our
kids are going to dig deep. And I know that
sounds like clicheish coach talk, but you're exactly right when
you when you when you have a rivalry game like this,
There's been times that I've seen University High School being
the quote unquote lesser team on paper and University High
School winning and I've seen it just the opposite, where
(27:02):
Morgantown on papers shouldn't have won and they did. So
it just depends on you know, the game and the
night and you know who's on their game that night.
And this one's going to be a really good one.
Two very very good football teams are going to be
battling it out up here on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
Now, tell us about the running back situation for the.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Hawks, Well, you know, it's it was very, very unfortunate.
We had our starting tellback that started last year as
a freshman and he you know, was starting all you
know beginning of this year. Brody Taylor unfortunately got injured
in the Willing Park game and has been out and
(27:44):
you know, will be out the rest of the season.
With his injury, and you know, they again another coaches
cliche comment of next man up, and wow, wow did
Marcus Kaniska, who is a senior and has played I'm
back or force for the last couple of years, and
he stepped right in. And you know, Marcos is a
(28:06):
different type of running back. You know, he is a
lower your shoulder and pounded out for the you know,
the three or four or five yards and break one
here or there. He has done an outstanding job of
filling in for our starter, you know, through at the
beginning of the year, and Marcos is really come into
his own and has been exceptional, especially in the second
(28:29):
half of the season.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
It's kind of what you expect when you put a
linebacker at the position of running back.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
Don't you Yeah, just two totally different styles. I'm you know,
Brody was speed and had vision and a patient, very
very very sophomore, one of the most patient runners I've
ever seen running backs and would just wait on the
whole to open up and accelerate. And and Marcos, you're
exactly right as the kind of kid who's going to
(28:58):
do everything he can to run you over and get
that extra two or three yards.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
I kind of like that approach myself.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
Absolutely, it's definitely an old school football look for.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
Sure, you bet you okay, University High School Athletics Director,
Jeff Bailey. Jeff, I've enjoyed our conversation.
Speaker 4 (29:17):
Thank you, absolutely, my pleasure, and we just encourage everybody
please come out on Friday. You know we're gonna be
dealing with a little bit of weather, but that's welcome
to football season in October. And what makes it even
more special is that it's Halloween, and you know, we
want everybody to come out and enjoy Halloween night.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
Absolutely. Hey Jeff, have a great day and great rest
of your week. Thank you.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
I'm standing all right. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
Hey, you bet you take care of yourself. Jeff Bailey,
University High School Athletic Director. When we come back, I'm
going to bring the voice of the Hawks into the studio,
Kyle Wiggs. We'll get his take on the Mohawk Bowl
coming up. That's next on Talk of the Town A
forty f M one oh four point five.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Join the conversation at one eight hundred and seven sixty
five eight two five five. This is the Talk of
the Town.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Good Wednesday morning, West Virginia five one one shows an
incident free Interstate system Metro Newszaki Weather says fair and
forty five for the moment, and the Texter says, let
me get to the Texter. The Texter says, Wiggs and
Kelly are must listen. Great broadcast, Kyle Wiggs in the studio, just.
Speaker 5 (30:46):
Like Summer Hall and Madden. Huh yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Well, you know, I tell you I you know, last
weekend the game at Preston, all the penalties, yeak, you know,
we were talking about that and Mike question to you is,
you know, did you have to hang on to Kelly's
collar to keep him from going down on the field.
Speaker 5 (31:06):
Uh No, But he pretty much says what he's thinking. It,
you know, kind of comes out and he thinks like
a coach. So it's good. Yeah, he's he's he's brought
a lot to it. And this is going to be
unique Friday because the broadcast crews will be combined. John
halbrid Or will join us in the booth and Dave's
going to go down on the field, so we'll have
(31:28):
a we'll have a four man crew.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Now, let's see, just got off the phone with University
High Athletics director Jeff Bailey, Jeff Bailey says, you know what,
don't count these Hawks out at all.
Speaker 5 (31:40):
No, I agree. I mean, it's they've got the home field,
which doesn't sound like much because it's just a trip
across town, but it is fairly significant. Morgantown has a
situational advantage in that it was off last week, so
that's pretty crucial at this time of year when everybody's
banged up.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
But especially with the health of Mattox twig right exactly.
Speaker 5 (32:03):
But one thing coach Kelly has always said is that
it's impossible to get your team up to play a
game after the Mohawk Bull. So this is the way
University prefers it. They prefer to play their ten games
in the first ten weeks of the season, take the
week off after the Mohawk Bull, rest up, get healthy
for the playoffs. So but in terms of University, there's
(32:26):
some things that make them unique. You know, they're the
second highest scoring team in Quad A, second only behind Martinsburg,
and their tempo is tough to deal with because and
the reason I say that, I mean, the facts kind
of bear that out. In the first quarter of games,
University has outscored its opponents one sixteen to twenty seven.
(32:48):
That's convincing, one sixteen to twenty seven in the first quarter.
And they've had the lead in eight of their first
nine games. The only one they didn't was the trip
to Butler, where they, for whatever reason, struggled early on
and gave up two quick touchdowns. They gave up on
what the defense didn't even give up one of those.
There was a pick six and then Butler scored again quickly.
(33:11):
So that's the only game all year that they've fallen behind.
So fourteen of those twenty seven first quarter points were
in that game, the loss at Butler. But it you
know again, that tempo is lightning fast. And if you
come to the game, or if you've seen University, you
know you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
You know, Jeff said that the coaches have been immersed
in a lot of film. So when they take a
look at that Morgantown defense, what are.
Speaker 5 (33:38):
They looking at Morgantown's Morgantown's got a game wrecker in
Zavon Shipman, and I saw Morgantown beat. Of course, I've
been with University every week, but Morgantown's opener was on
a Thursday against Parkersburg and I watch that and Shipman
was the best player on the field, and I doubt
(33:59):
that's changed much since then, but that's what stands out
number fifty on Morgantown's defensive line. All of their defensive
linemen are good, but again, Shipman's just a game breaker,
so you have to account for him. You probably have
to double him, you know, you may. You've got to
keep him off your quarterback. You know again that that tempo,
(34:22):
but it's a quick strike type offense. The University throws
a lot, so you got to keep your quarterback up right,
and that's a significant challenge.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
Is Kaniska the kind of runner that could take care
of ship.
Speaker 5 (34:36):
Well, he's a yeah, okay, I see what you're saying.
I mean, yes, he's got the ability to perhaps beat
that blitz or rush with a draw. And he's also
a blocker, so he'll stay back. At University rarely goes empty.
They do go empty sometimes, but Kaniska, if he's not
running the ball, he's a tremendous blocker. He's a linebacker,
(34:56):
so that will be significant in this game, and keeping
him in the backfield to block or to chip those
Morgantown defensive linemen and linebackers. They are going to be
blitzing a lot, probably trying to get to the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Got just about thirty five seconds. Please tell us who
wins this game?
Speaker 5 (35:17):
Are you going to put me on the shot? Morgantown
is a more veteran team, you know. But again, University
at home with the balance they've had with Kaniska emerging
as say, running back to compliment the passing game and
all the weapons they have to the outside, I'll go
ahead and pick the upset of University winning twenty three
(35:41):
to twenty.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
Oh okay, even provided a score. Didn't ask for that. Hey, Kyle,
thanks a lot for coming in. Allreciate it. Okay, we'll
be back to wrap things up. Coming up next on
Talk of the Town AM fourteen forty FM one oh
four point five. W. A.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
J R.
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