Defending Class AAA state champ Tigers look to get back on track versus Hurricane

PRINCETON — Defending Class AAA state champion Princeton Senior High School picked up its third loss of the season last week, falling 31-21 to Class AAA top seed Herbert Hoover.

It was a decidedly disappointing outcome for the Tigers (5-3), who led 14-0 after the first quarter at Elkview. Princeton remains in the Class AAA Top 10, however, as of this week ranked No. 7 in the WVSSAC Class AAA football ratings.

The Tigers are presently in no danger of missing the playoffs and may even recover a rung or two over the next two weeks, beginning with this week’s game with Class AAAA Hurricane (3-5) at Hunnicutt Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“It’s an opportunity to bounce back and start a new streak,” said Princeton’s enigmatic rock star head football coach Nathan Tanner.

Herbert Hoover proved its No. 1 ranking last week. In spite of the defeat, the Tigers proved they were by no means out of their element.

“First quarter I thought we played extremely well and we showed what we can be when we’re hitting on all cylinders. The second quarter we struggled and gave up 24 unanswered and struggled to get it going offensively,” Tanner said.

“The second half we tied them 7-7 and or kids came out and played better. It was just another loss to a good football team,” he said.

Well, perhaps running back David Robinson, Jr. makes the Huskies a little better than good. The kid is destined to play NCAA Division I football for the Army Black Knights — still one of most dominant rushing attacks in all of college football.

“There were a couple of times against Hoover we failed to execute some fine details … which happens every single football game. It goes on across America … But sometimes when it happens you get exposed more than you do in others,” Tanner said.

“Their quarterback had another long run on something similar. If you fix those two plays on defense and eliminate those two scores …”

This is why Tanner and his coaches work so diligently to dissect the film from a loss like the Hoover game. They saw the Huskies in the postseason last year and the Tigers could very well see them again.

“You play and you learn. You’ve just got to keep learning from them,” he said.

Last week the Tigers offense was led by quarterback Jake Belcher, who passed for 129 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown pass to Alex Cox. Running back RJ Coatney rushed for 87 yards, including a 9-yard TD run. Aaron Hood netted 51 rushing yards, including a 3-yard scoring run.

This week’s game with Hurricane is a not only a chance to recover winning momentum and firm up their seeding position. It’s where improvements cooked up in the film room and on the practice field get tested.

“This is a Hurricane ball club that’s 2-5 coming in, but they’ve won their last two ballgames by 40 or 50 points. They’re playing with some confidence right now. I’m sure they’ll come in inspired and looking to knock us off on Friday,” Tanner said.

The Redskins, aka Hurricane Football Team, are in their second season under coach Dustin Hatfield, who has already improved over 2025’s 1-9 regular season finish.

The Tigers bazooka’d HFT 55-8 last season, but otherwise Tanner and Hatfield have not coached across from one another over the years.

Hurricane is coming off of a 68-13 win over Riverside, where HFT capitalized on seven Warriors turnovers. Princeton’s opponent has been leaning on two quarterbacks, both of whom made headway last week.

Quarterback Isaiah Kutcher saw limited touches but carried six times for 58 yards and two touchdown runs. He also passed for 61 yards and three TDs. Quarterback Archer Altizer scored on a 7-yard TD run in the first quarter. Riley Armstrong and Dylan Widen lead the receiving corps.

“They run the spread. Sometimes they’re in 10 personnel. Sometimes 11 personnel. Sometimes they go empty. They throw it and run it. They do a lot of different things,” Tanner said.