Staying healthy will be key for Valley football during 2023 season
Valley football coach John Stanaland summed up his team's 2022 season in one word: Frustrating.
After reaching the regional finals in 2021 and losing by one possession to Happy, the Patriots brought back eight seniors with five starters on each side of the ball. Valley seemed primed for another big year. But injuries derailed things from the get go.
"We had three seniors tear ACLs and a fourth break his leg," Stanaland said. "It was a frustrating season for us, but we had a lot of young guys step up last year."
While two starters return from 2022 on each side of the ball, 14 lettermen are back. Many of them received playing opportunities last season and will be seasoned entering this year. Moreover, they'll be ready to get going in the hope that they can get Valley back to the postseason.
"We've got good senior leaders that have been in the program for four years and young kids that are ready to step up," Stanaland said. "Our kids are hungry and working hard so emotions and excitement are high."
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Linemen Tucker Schlueter, a three-year starter, and Cash Sperry, a two-year starter, will lead the way as the most tested veterans. Brayson Cruse was the starting running back last year before being injured so there will be high expectations for him. Malikhai Farley and Taevion Ramos should contribute as well.
"Brayson's still not fully released yet for contact but his vocal leadership has been great," Stanaland said. "Tucker's been great and we know what we have with him. Cash has really stepped up the past couple of years and with eight seniors we have a lot of great leadership right now."
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It's not just the vets, though. Sophomore Carson Tucker is slated to step up at quarterback this season while freshman Damian Valdes should see the field in some capacity as well.
It will be a competitive district once again for the Patriots. Knox City returns every starter on both sides of the ball after winning the district last season so taking the title will be challenging. However, Spur and Northside are in similar positions to Valley in terms of replacing depleted talent. The second spot in the postseason out of district is open. The Patriots need only reach out and take it now.
"With all of the injuries and adversity we had to deal with last year I felt like we were creating a building block," Stanaland said. "If they continue to fight and do what we're supposed to do I feel like we're going to be in really good position to add gold footballs to our trophy case."
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TURKEY VALLEY PATRIOTS
Head coach: John Stanaland
2022 record: 5-5 overall, 1-2 in district
Base offense: Jay Bird
Base defense: 2-3
Last playoff appearance: 2021
Top returners: Tucker Schlueter, Cash Sperry, Brayson Cruse
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Motley County, 8 p.m. at Jayton
Sept. 1: vs. Springlake-Earth, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Whiteface, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: vs. Nazareth, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Petersburg, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Crowell, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: White Deer, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: OPEN
Oct. 20: vs. Spur, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: vs. Knox City 7 p.m.
Nov. 3: at Northside, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Turkey Valley High School football seeking health in 2023 season
