Teays Valley scouting report: Vikings, like Chieftains, have made plenty of changes under new coach
By SPENCER WAUGH for The Logan Daily News
ASHVILLE — Last year, Teays Valley came to Logan for the first-ever gridiron meeting between the two schools and controlled the game in rolling to a 26-13 victory over a weakened Chieftain team.
While Logan fans would probably warn the Vikings that this is not the same Logan team, the same can be said for Teays Valley under new head coach Mark Weber.
Gone is the wing-T offense and gold helmets that made the Vikings a smaller version of week-one opponent Lancaster; in is a pro-style offense, led by returning quarterback Drew Pennington (6-0, 170, junior).
ASHVILLE — Last year, Teays Valley came to Logan for the first-ever gridiron meeting between the two schools and controlled the game in rolling to a 26-13 victory over a weakened Chieftain team.
While Logan fans would probably warn the Vikings that this is not the same Logan team, the same can be said for Teays Valley under new head coach Mark Weber.
Gone is the wing-T offense and gold helmets that made the Vikings a smaller version of week-one opponent Lancaster; in is a pro-style offense, led by returning quarterback Drew Pennington (6-0, 170, junior).
In the Vikings’ week-one 49-0 victory over Westfall, TV looked a lot like Chieftain offenses in the early to mid-2000s, featuring big, fast running backs, athletic receivers and a quarterback with the ability to move and make plays both throwing and running.
The Pickaway Countians rushed for 415 yards on 42 carries last week against Westfall.
Anthony Jones (6-1, 185, senior) is the likely feature black for the Blue and Gold after rushing for 175 yards and three touchdowns on only 10 carries last week. Jones led TV against Logan last season with 165 yards rushing.
The Vikings’ stable of backs is not limited to Jones, however. Colton Carroll (5-11, 180, junior) will play at fullback while Tyler Robinson (6-1, 205, senior) can play in either backfield role. Both scored TDs last week. Sophomore Nathan Cornett (5-9, 175) adds depth.
At wide receiver, coach Weber recruited basketball mainstays from the hallway to give the team athletic options for Pennington to throw to.
Ben Cain (6-3, 190, senior), Colby Harris (6-2, 150, senior), Stephen Riley (6-1, 170, senior) and Preston Gothard (6-3, 160, senior) are all big targets. Harris had a touchdown catch last week.
Mason Kauffeld (6-2, 190, junior) moves from backup quarterback to tight end, adding another aerial option.
Joining Kauffeld up front are an experienced group of linemen led by senior Lucas Maynard (6-3, 230, senior) and Tom Cain (6-3, 250, senior). Center Neal Davis (6-2, 265, junior) is also a returning starter and is joined by Brandon Evans (6-1, 210, junior) and Alex Johnston (6-1, 245, senior). From tackle to tackle the Vikings average 240 pounds per man.
Defensively, the Vikings were outstanding last week in allowing Westfall only 63 yards of total offense.
Weber has moved the Blue and Gold away from a 3-4 defense and into a 4-3 to give them more flexibility… especially with Kauffeld, who can be a hybrid linebacker-defensive back.
TV’s defense is strongest up front, where Maynard (end), Davis (nose tackle), and Tom Cain (tackle) are all returning starters while Evans moves from outside linebacker to defensive end in the new defensive scheme.
Caleb Burgett (6-1, 155, sophomore) adds depth at end with Johnston and Brandon Pack (5-9, 177, sophomore) adding options on the inside.
Robinson returns at linebacker and will be flanked by Jones and Kauffeld who were both safeties last season. In passing situations, Kauffeld can cover receivers as a third defensive back, allowing the Vikings to defend run-heavy or pass-heavy offenses without substituting. Carroll, Caleb Welch (5-11, 170, senior), and Cornett add depth.
The secondary has been retooled. Newcomer Ben Cain will play strong safety while Cameron Phillips (6-2, 157, sophomore) will be the free safety. Nathan Good (5-8, 145, junior), Harris, Hunter Wellman (5-9, 158, junior), Riley, and Gothard will all rotate at the cornerback positions.
Cory Barnett (5-11, 169, junior) will do the placekicking while Pennington will handle the punting duties. Gothard will return punts and kicks while Ben Cain will be the second man back on kickoffs.
Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Chiefs’ opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News.
The Pickaway Countians rushed for 415 yards on 42 carries last week against Westfall.
Anthony Jones (6-1, 185, senior) is the likely feature black for the Blue and Gold after rushing for 175 yards and three touchdowns on only 10 carries last week. Jones led TV against Logan last season with 165 yards rushing.
The Vikings’ stable of backs is not limited to Jones, however. Colton Carroll (5-11, 180, junior) will play at fullback while Tyler Robinson (6-1, 205, senior) can play in either backfield role. Both scored TDs last week. Sophomore Nathan Cornett (5-9, 175) adds depth.
At wide receiver, coach Weber recruited basketball mainstays from the hallway to give the team athletic options for Pennington to throw to.
Ben Cain (6-3, 190, senior), Colby Harris (6-2, 150, senior), Stephen Riley (6-1, 170, senior) and Preston Gothard (6-3, 160, senior) are all big targets. Harris had a touchdown catch last week.
Mason Kauffeld (6-2, 190, junior) moves from backup quarterback to tight end, adding another aerial option.
Joining Kauffeld up front are an experienced group of linemen led by senior Lucas Maynard (6-3, 230, senior) and Tom Cain (6-3, 250, senior). Center Neal Davis (6-2, 265, junior) is also a returning starter and is joined by Brandon Evans (6-1, 210, junior) and Alex Johnston (6-1, 245, senior). From tackle to tackle the Vikings average 240 pounds per man.
Defensively, the Vikings were outstanding last week in allowing Westfall only 63 yards of total offense.
Weber has moved the Blue and Gold away from a 3-4 defense and into a 4-3 to give them more flexibility… especially with Kauffeld, who can be a hybrid linebacker-defensive back.
TV’s defense is strongest up front, where Maynard (end), Davis (nose tackle), and Tom Cain (tackle) are all returning starters while Evans moves from outside linebacker to defensive end in the new defensive scheme.
Caleb Burgett (6-1, 155, sophomore) adds depth at end with Johnston and Brandon Pack (5-9, 177, sophomore) adding options on the inside.
Robinson returns at linebacker and will be flanked by Jones and Kauffeld who were both safeties last season. In passing situations, Kauffeld can cover receivers as a third defensive back, allowing the Vikings to defend run-heavy or pass-heavy offenses without substituting. Carroll, Caleb Welch (5-11, 170, senior), and Cornett add depth.
The secondary has been retooled. Newcomer Ben Cain will play strong safety while Cameron Phillips (6-2, 157, sophomore) will be the free safety. Nathan Good (5-8, 145, junior), Harris, Hunter Wellman (5-9, 158, junior), Riley, and Gothard will all rotate at the cornerback positions.
Cory Barnett (5-11, 169, junior) will do the placekicking while Pennington will handle the punting duties. Gothard will return punts and kicks while Ben Cain will be the second man back on kickoffs.
Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Chiefs’ opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News.
RSS Feed
