Know your foe: 'Old School' Vikings bring physical football on Friday
for LoganFootball.com
The Teays Valley Vikings will look for a fifth straight victory over Logan on Friday night following last season’s dramatic 10-7 win at Logan Chieftain Stadium.
Mark Weber, in his seventh season at TVHS, has compiled a 46-24 overall record as head coach while winning five Mid-State League championships and making three playoff appearances at the Pickaway County school.
So far this fall the Vikings are 3-5 overall in a season that has been disrupted by postponed games due to COVID-19. The blue and gold opened with wins over Logan Elm (31-25) and Fairfield Union (42-13) before falling to Bishop Watterson (0-39) and Hamilton Township (12-21). The Vikings fell to Kings (41-10) in a replacement game after Circleville had to cancel their league game.
TV won its playoff opener against Briggs (68-0) but fell the next week at Anderson (14-52). The Vikings fell to Lancaster (0-24) last week in a regular season game.
One thing that makes the offense unique this fall is the consistent use of unbalanced formations. Teays Valley will often use an eligible tight end lined up beside a guard while moving the tackle over to the strong side giving them an extra big body on that side of the line. The hope is to create mismatches and outnumber defenses at the point of attack or to counter teams who over commit defensive numbers.
Camden McDanel (6-0, 180, sophomore) is the feature tailback but is joined by a strong group of fullbacks including Hunter Young (5-8, 190, senior), Jeremiah Thompson (5-8, 180, senior), and Gavin Karshner (5-10, 200, sophomore).
Tyler Love (6-0, 165, junior) has been the team’s quarterback; however, he was unable to play against Lancaster last week and was replaced by sophomore Mathew Farmer (6-0, 195).
Camden Primmer (6-1, 180, senior) is a talented wide receiver and is joined out wide by Richard Odum (6-1, 165, sophomore) and Sam Speakman (6-3, 160, senior).
The tight ends are Eli Burgett (6-3, 250, senior) and Zion Bowling (6-1, 190, senior).
Up front the Vikings are strong and athletic. From left to right they’ll line up guard Evan McKenzie (5-8, 170, junior), center AJ Maniacci (6-2, 260, junior), guard Carter Miller (5-7, 210, junior), tackle William Akers (5-10, 200, junior) and tackle Luke Bullock (6-0, 205, junior).
Defensively, the Vikings are aggressive but disciplined. They are strong on the defensive line and their linebackers play downhill. They line up in a 4-4 look with athletic outside linebackers who can cover slot receivers or fill gaps in the run game.
Liam Wilson (6-4, 210, senior) and Bowling are the starters at defensive end with Eric Jones (6-0, 250, senior) and Akers playing on the inside. Burgett and Adam Trisler II (5-6, 200, junior) add depth.
Peyton Weiler (5-10, 165, junior) and Speakman are the starters at outside linebacker with Landon Thompson (5-8, 135, freshman) adding depth. On the inside, Jeremiah Thompson, and Karshner all rotate on the inside.
Primmer, Love, and Odum are the cornerbacks with Mason Lowther (5-10, 165, sophomore) playing safety.
Cale Clifton (5-10, 160, sophomore) is an experienced kicker and can convert longer field goals and extra points. Speakman will handle punting duties while Primmer is a threat in the return game.