2016 Snapshot: Valley View

Things started off well for Valley View in 2015 going 4-0 to begin the year. The Spartans won three of those tilts by six, six and nine points. Injuries began to take their toll to skills players as the team dropped five in a row before winning the regular season finale.

Valley View will head into ’16 with Bob Skidmore as its head coach. Skidmore, who replaces Kris Ketron had been an assistant with the Spartans for 29 years.

Valley View RB/DB Jake Neatherton (photo from Valley View HS)

Skidmore has some tools to work with including a solid backfield and a tough defensive line. Like most smaller schools staying healthy is key. The Spartans aren’t the deepest team in the Southwestern Buckeye League.

As long as Valley View can keep its experienced troops on the field they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. This Spartans team has the talent to compete with anyone on their schedule.

Division IV, Region 16
2015 RECORD: 5-5, 1-5 SWBL Southwestern
COACH: Bob Skidmore (0-0 @ Valley View, first year; 0-0 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Konner Smith, Sr, DL – Smith earned a well-deserved First Team All-SWBL Southwestern selection as a junior. He recorded a SWBL best 10 sacks and had 26 tackles for losses.

Logan Hannah, Jr, LB – A rising star Hannah had one-and-a-half sacks and four takeaways (three fumble recoveries, one interception) as a sophomore. He was named Second Team All-SWBL Southwestern for his efforts.

Jake Neatherton, Sr, RB/DB – Already a proven commodity out of the backfield Neatherton added defensive pickpocket to his well-rounded game in ’15. He ran for 809 yards, scored 13 touchdowns and had five takeaways out of the secondary including four interceptions. Neatherton was named Second Team All-SWBL Southwestern as a junior.

Andrew Valenti, Sr, DB – Valenti has a real nose for the ball. He was named Second Team All-SWBL Southwestern a year ago.

OTHER RETURNEES
Micah Matheson, Sr, WR – Matheson will be the Spartans number one option at receiver. He has 35 receptions for 502 yards and six touchdowns at the varsity level.

Collin Wood, Jr, QB – Thrust into action under center because of injury Wood finished the year with 402 yards and four touchdowns passing to end ’15. He should emerge as one of the SWBL’s top passers this fall.

Collin Genslinger, Jr, RB – When healthy Genslinger is a valuable asset to Valley View’s rushing attack. In 12 career games, Genslinger has run for 639 yards, amassed 1,078 all-purpose yards and found the end zone 10 times (six rushing, three passing).

Austin Clark, Jr, DB – Clark is an integral part of the Spartans secondary and return game. He finished his sophomore year with 363 total return yards, had a kickoff return for a touchdown and snared three interceptions.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(17 appearances, 30-14) – 2013, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 (State Champions), 1996 (State Champions), 1995, 1994 (State Champions), 1993, 1992

2016 SCHEDULE
All the foes are the same one’s that the Spartans faced a year ago. There is no opponent on this schedule that Valley View can’t hang with. Closing out the deal is a different story. Two of the Spartans losses in ’15 were by one and three points. Turning those games around will put Valley View in the playoff hunt.

10 FOLD
Valley View has won 10 or more games 13 times in school history. The Spartans last did it in ‘13.

RUNNING TOWARDS THE RECORD BOOKS
Jake Neatherton heads into his senior year just 411 yards from seventh place on the school’s all-time leading rushers list. Neatherton who has 1,422 yards rushing at the varsity level needs 1,053 yards to get to fifth place on the all-time list.

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