When Brian Harmon walked out of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this year, he carried more than just excitement for his beloved Steelers. He returned home to West Virginia with a vision—one that could breathe new life into a dormant football program.

That vision? Bringing football back to Greater Beckley Christian School in Prosperity, a move that became official this week and has already sparked buzz across social media.

Starting in the fall of 2026, the Crusaders will once again take the field after a 20-year hiatus. And Harmon, a lifelong football enthusiast, will lead the charge as head coach.

"Justin Arvon, our administrator, and one of the other teachers and I had attended the NFL Draft and we just talked about football," Harmon recalled. "And I was like, 'What happened to the program? What was its rise and fall?'"

Greater Beckley's football history is brief but meaningful. The Crusaders fielded a team for just two seasons, in 2005 and 2006, before roster shortages and budget challenges forced the program to fold. They finished 2-15 in those years. But times have changed, and so has the school's outlook.

With a plan in hand, Harmon and Arvon approached Athletic Director Jeff Graham, who gave the green light. The next step was official: notifying the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) of their intentions.

"We've communicated our intentions to the WVSSAC," Harmon said.

What makes this comeback different? Enrollment is on the rise, and the middle school ranks are showing promising depth. "We felt like we could move forward, looking at our middle school ranks to be able to sustain something with a little bit of longevity to it," Harmon explained.

Currently, Greater Beckley has 20 players on its roster. The plan is to hold summer flex days during the first and third weeks of June, then ease into competition. "Our goal is to play two or three varsity games this year, and then the rest doing developmental football, just playing a JV schedule on Mondays," Harmon said. "And then in 2027 we look to begin fielding a competitive varsity team to get ready in single-A ball."

For Harmon, this marks his first head coaching role—but he's no stranger to the game. He played middle school football before shifting to wrestling at Shady Spring High School, where he graduated in 1987. He was part of the Class AA/A state championship team coached by Hall of Famers Dix Manning and Larry Snuffer. "They left an impression on me for sure," Harmon said. His three sons—Scott, Aaron, and Will—all played football for the Tigers.

"This will be my first official coaching position, but I'm certainly not a green," Harmon said with confidence.

For Greater Beckley Christian, the resurrection of football is more than just a game plan. It's a symbol of growth, community, and a new chapter waiting to be written on the gridiron.