MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — No program in the state enters each season with higher expectations than Martinsburg. And there’s good reason for that. The Bulldogs have won 11 state titles in the last 16 years. Last fall, the ‘Dogs fell to Morgantown, 28-21 in the Class AAAA final and reminders of that result are not hard to find.

“We still have it down in the locker room — 28-21. We remember it every single day,” said Martinsburg RB/WR/DB Ty Ricketts. “It is something that stays in the back of our mind. It is a new season, so we are not staying on last season.”

“We are moving forward,” said Martinsburg senior RB/DB Kingston McDonald-Gibson. “Last season is last season. We are ready to work harder this season and make it right.”

“We got outcoached. We didn’t play well. It happens occasionally,” said Martinsburg head coach David Walker. “I think our guys have used that experience to motivate them to work. I think this group that we’ve got this year, they have probably worked as hard or harder than anybody we’ve had in ten years.”

Returning starters can be found at many of the skill spots for the Bulldogs, including at quarterback. Senior Brian Dick accounted for 43 total touchdowns last fall in his first year leading the MHS offense.

“He is so far ahead this year to where he was last year in throwing the ball and everything that he is doing,” Walker said. “And he has worked extremely hard.”

“He is definitely a real strong runner,” Ricketts said. “I work out with him every single day. He is pretty strong too. It is just fun to see him play.”

Martinsburg’s two top running backs return. Senior Kingston McDonald-Gibson and junior Kevin Myers combined to rush for nearly 1,500 yards as a duo with 16 touchdown totes.

“Kingston and Kevin had really good years for us last year,” Walker said. “Both of those guys are back and they have worked hard. Kingston has worked really hard. I am really pleased with what I have seen out of him.”

“I was a little nervous to play offense at first coming in as a young guy, a sophomore,” McDonald-Gibson said. “I finally just stepped up and took initiative and do what I do.”

Senior Boston Todd is back after a junior season where he reeled in 19 touchdown passes and racked up just over 1,200 receiving yards.

“He’s a very good football player, not only as a receiver but as a DB and a return guy,” Walker said. “He’s an exciting player and a really good kid. So we are excited for his senior year.”

Senior Ty Ricketts will be found at multiple spots on offense and he earned high praise from Walker for being one of the team’s most versatile contributors.

“It is a little tiring, but it is really fun,” Ricketts said. “I get to do both sides of the ball, so I get to block and I get to tackle. That is really fun to me. I just like being on the field all the time.”

“Ty is a great player and maybe our best all-around player,” Walker said. “He is just kind of a throwback type kid and old school. He will be a three-year starter and brings a wealth of experience and leadership.”

The Bulldogs lost a pair of first team All-State linemen to graduation but several young players and newcomers are prepared to step in.

“The line looks great this season,” McDonald-Gibson said. “They are pretty big guys. I thought we were going to be kind of small but we got a few transfers and we are looking big now. And the young guys are definitely doing their thing.”

In addition to their traditional eastern panhandle rivals, Martinsburg will have a rematch with Morgantown at Pony Lewis Field in Week 7. And they will start a home-and-home series with Bridgeport by visiting Wayne Jamison Field in Week 2.

“They are in the same boat we are that nobody wants to play them in the state,” Walker said. “They contacted us wanting to play. Hats off to them. But I know they are going to be really good. They might be the toughest team that we play all year.”