Restoring the roar: Licking Valley motivated to prove everyone wrong
HANOVER ― Licking Valley's players heard it all summer long, how everything is stacked against them.
Coming off a rare two consecutive losing seasons, the numbers are down and the schedule is brutal. But a wounded Panther is often a dangerous one, as history has proven, time and again.
"It gives us a little edge," said senior wideout Trent Clark, like quarterback Hayden Rodgers a three-year starter. "It drives the team, from seniors to sophomores. We're close, and motivated."
Rodgers said a very successful sophomore class, 21 strong, has provided a boost for the 23 upperclassmen (12 seniors and 11 juniors) in the program.
"The young guys have come in, and everyone has a chip on their shoulder," he said, after Valley followed up a 2-8 season in 2021 with a 5-6 finish in 2022 and first-round playoff exits both years. "It keeps us going. Everyone wants to be here, and it makes us want to go out and work, every single day."
The dual threat Rodgers (6-foot-1, 185), who threw for 1,872 yards and 19 touchdowns with only three interceptions last year, also running for 519 yards and seven scores, has a deep group of receivers that should be the team's strength. That includes Clark (24 catches), classmates Marshall Carr and Alex Phelps, a 6-4 tight end (15 catches with four TDs), multi-talented junior Kam Walker (four TD receptions) and promising sophomore Ethan Lohr. Stellar senior kicker Jacob Wheeler is also in the mix.
"Clark is one of those sneaky guys, who can make big plays out of nowhere," Rodgers said. "Walker will move out to the X, which should help us."
Coach Randy Baughman said Lohr provides a lot of speed and great hands, and even strong-armed sophomore southpaw Evan Lichtenauer, the backup quarterback, could split out and catch passes as one of Valley's fastest guys.
Rodgers brings three years of seasoning to the most important position, and it shows.
"The game has slowed down for Hayden," Baughman said. "He sees the targets better, and can do more of the changing plays at the line of scrimmage. He has total command of the offense, inside and out."
The senior says things are becoming a lot easier for him, and knowing when to stay in the pocket, throw on the run, and when to tuck it and keep going. "The last couple of weeks, that's something we've really worked on." he said.
Of course, the Panthers will still look to run the ball, with juniors Trenton Markus and Luke Conaway and sophomore Quinn Hornfeck. Markus ran for 296 yards in a relief role in 2022.
"As it (the scrimmage with Utica) went along, our running game got better," Baughman said. "There was not as much dancing, and running downhill instead. Running downhill is a necessity."
Senior Matthew Lehman (6-2, 265) is the lone returning starter up front, but still thinks Valley will be able to run the football.
"It will be very different, but I think they will get the job done," he said. "We may be starting a couple of sophomores on the offensive line (and a couple of juniors), but with attitude, development and physicality, and working together, we will be a good line. The sophomores went unbeaten as seventh and eighth graders, and as freshmen."
Lehman will be at right tackle, with either sophomore Maverick Weaver (5-11, 308) or senior Jerin Lacy (6-0, 290) at left tackle. Sophomore Hunter White (5-9, 220) will likely be at center, flanked by juniors Brock Watson (5-10, 200) and Evan Roberts (5-11, 190) at guards. Senior Caden Rhodes (5-10, 180) could also factor in, as could versatile senior Titan Priest (6-0, 195), a defensive standout who can also lineup at fullback in the backfield.
"I love that he (Priest) is one of those guys who can play so many positions, and is willing to do so," Baughman said. "We're trying to make it so many kids aren't going both ways, and we're still moving kids around, but they don't complain. They'll move to help the team."
Priest can play either defensive end or linebacker on defense, and last season, had seven sacks and eight tackles for loss.
"We're going to fly around, and be fast and aggressive," he said. "I want to be aggressive, and bring leadership. We have a bunch of sophomores, but just like us, they're here to play and here to win. We might lean on them a little, but we're also here to lead them in the right way."
The defensive front line will come from among Lehman, Lacy, Watson, Weaver and sophomores Collin McKenzie (6-1, 205) and Ty Hufford (5-9, 165), while linebackers will be Priest, Markus, Rhodes and Conaway. "They're undersized, but all are very aggressive," Baughman said. Lohr will play outside linebacker.
He is confident is in his secondary, where senior strong safety Logan Workman made first-team All-LCL and had 57 tackles, 40 solos and 34 assists along with six tackles for loss. "They played well in the summer and they have good quickness," Baughman said.
Walker is a ball hawk at free safety, with senior Carter Hartman, Carr and Hornfeck at the corners.
"We hope to use our quickness on defense, because if you don't have the size, you better be pretty quick," Baughman said. "We'll have speed on the field. One area where we have to improve greatly is takeaways. We were low on creating turnovers last year, and we have to attack on defense."
Wheeler, who attended a lot of camps during the summer, will again be a weapon at kicker, where he booted 29 PATs and two field goals in 2022.
"It's gratifying to know, that you if get the ball to the 30 or within, it's going to be three points," Baughman said. "He also kicks to the end zone and can pin teams deep."
Valley lost four games by a touchdown or less last season, including two by a combined six points. Against a schedule bookended by tough games, the Panthers need to find a way to win the close ones and get a higher seed in a loaded playoff region. The added motivation should help.
"We have a very close-knit group, who has been very committed to each other, and the program," Baughman said. "The sophomores are expecting to win, but they're still learning. In the end, it still falls on the seniors."
Clark said the seniors can't do it on their own.
"The last two years, that wasn't Valley football," he said. "We have great coaches, and the young kids will learn from them. The sophomores are bringing that winning culture in, and we're going to change those numbers back up. It's coming."
At a Glance
Coach: Randy Baughman
State Classification: Division IV, Region 15
In 2022: 5-6, 2-2 (lost in Division IV first round)
Key players: Hayden Rodgers, Sr., QB-DB; Trent Clark, Sr., WR-DB; Titan Priest, Sr., OL-RB-LB-DE; Logan Workman, Sr., RB-OLB, Jacob Wheeler, Sr., K-WR; Matthew Lehman, Sr., OL-DL; Kam Walker, Jr., WR-DB; Trenton Markus, Jr., RB-LB.
What to expect: After going an un-Valley like 7-14 over the past two seasons, the Panthers have a bit of a chip on their shoulders and anxious to prove the naysayers wrong this year. They lost three potential starters who didn't come back, but Hayden Rodgers, a group of talented receivers, a fast, aggressive defense and a winning group of sophomores are ready to confront another daunting schedule with success.
Game to watch: Week 2 at Heath — The highly-touted Bulldogs and their large group of seniors will be out to avenge last year's loss, and it will be the second consecutive tough road game after opening at Sheridan. But a fast start could send the Panthers on their way to big things, after losing four games by a touchdown or less last season.
Postseason outlook: The first three games (Sheridan, Heath, West Holmes) and the last three (LInsly, W.Va., Granville and Licking Heights) will determine the Panthers' standing in a stacked region that includes Bishop Hartley, Bishop Ready, Eastmoor Academy, Indian Valley, Jonathan Alder, Steubenville and now, Sheridan.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Restoring the roar: Licking Valley motivated to prove everyone wrong
