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The Spring Valley Vikings will enter 2022 with one of the youngest teams Head Coach Robin Bacon has had as the Vikings head man. They graduated 17 seniors who signed scholarships last season and that means a lot ot talent went away. But this team has talent returning and it is only a matter of time to mature and devlope into a region contender.
“We have some very talented seniors returning and a lot of back ups from last year who are capable of handling the starting roles,” said Bacon.
The Vikings lost one of the top quarterbacks in the state to graduation in DQ Smith, but senior KeShaun Osby (5’10,170) has been taking snaps and seems to be doing a good job thus far. Seniors joining him on offense will be RB Evan Javis (6’0,200) and KJ Jefferson (5’11,175), a tandum that will cause problems for some run defenses. Both are physical runners with speed. Senior WR Zion Fuller (6’2,175) is back, as is Nigel Ancrum (5’9,165), who just won the National 1o0m Championship. They also will get WR snaps from Jordan Chestnut (6’0,170), who is primarily a defensive guy. Only one senior returns to the offensive line and that is tackle Derrick Thompson (6’2,260). The only other returning starter is junior OL Alan Hartwell (6’1,270). One surpirse new comer is senior Kendell Williams (6’5,220), who is a basketball star for the Vikings. He will play out wide and also line up at tight end.
“We are young up front,” said Bacon, “and are going to need our young guys to mature quickly to be competitive.”
Defensiveloy, the cuppard isn’t bare but it is thin and some players will have to play both ways until some youth steps up. Javis will play at linebacker on defense, along with returning senior David Wilson (6’1,220). At Corner, Chestnut returns as one of the top DBs in the Midlands, along with Zion Fuller and Nigel Ancrum, who will both also play both ways. Up front, senior returners are Charles Adams (5’11,250) and Alex China (6’2,200).
“Some of the guys who were back ups last season have really stepped up and had a good Spring and Summer,” said Bacon. “We are trying to find some kickers right now as well as a few linemen and receivers so we don’t have so many of these key players going both ways.”
