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2022 Snapshot: Walton-Verona

Walton-Verona DB Max Montgomery (photo courtesy of Walton-Verona athletics)

Sitting out there on its own little island between I-71 and I-75 Walton-Verona often gets overlooked for what it has accomplished on the gridiron. This will be the program’s 15th season of football. The Bearcats have not had a losing season in the last 12 years while winning at least seven games in 11 of those campaigns (102 victories in all). Those trends don’t appear to be ending any time soon.

“We are looking forward to another great year. We are counting on several guys to make the jump from junior varsity to varsity on the offensive and defensive lines,” head coach Jeff Barth states. If those big guy’s make a seamless transition with the talent Walton-Verona has at the skill positions this will be an exciting team to watch.

The Bearcats schedule is conducive to working out all the kinks and getting better weekly by the time the playoffs start. Expect Barth’s boys to being playing their best football in November.

Beechwood and Newport Catholic Central have set the standards for small school success over the past two decades. Walton-Verona is on the cusp of joining those two stalwarts. It should be happening sooner rather than later.

Walton-Verona LB Chris Harward (photo courtesy of Walton-Verona athletics)

Class 2A, District 5
2021 RECORD: 9-4, 4-0 Class 2A, District 5
COACH: Jeff Barth (104-54 at Walton-Verona, 13 years; 104-54 overall)

TOP RETURNEES
Christopher Harward, Sr, RB/LB – A leader of the W-V defense who is back for his third year as a starter at linebacker. Harward has 130 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, 12.0 tackles for losses and three takeaways (two FRs, one INT) in his career. He also ran for 173 yards and four touchdowns as a junior.

Logan Ryan, Sr, TE/DE – Came of age in 2021. Ryan recorded 60 total tackles, had eight sacks, 13.5 tackles for losses and forced two fumbles. He is back for his third year as a starter on the Bearcats d-line.

Walton-Verona DE Logan Ryan (photo courtesy of Walton-Verona athletics)

Geoffrey Kratzenberg, Sr, WR/DB – Will team with Montgomery to lead the secondary. Kratzenberg has 53 total tackles and an interception in his two seasons as a starter.

Ben Teipe, Jr, RB – Returns to add depth in the backfield. Teipe ran for 189 yards and two scores last fall.

Max Montgomery, Jr, DB – A versatile and athletic player who has a knack for being in the middle of the action. Montgomery registered 25 total tackles, recovered four fumbles, threw for 302 yards, ran for 155 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns (six pass, one rush) as a sophomore.

Landon Schirmann, Jr, OL/DL – Back for his second year as a starter. Schirmann will be called upon to lead a young and inexperienced offensive line.

Lincoln Mann, Jr, K/P – A solid special team’s weapon. Mann connected on 47/53 extra points and all four of his field goal attempts in 2021. He heads into his junior year with 85 kicking points at the varsity level.

Jackson Smith, Jr, QB – Will slide into the role as the Bearcats starting quarterback this fall and should have a breakout season. Smith has excellent speed, a good arm and is a dynamic playmaker. 

Walton-Verona QB Jackson Smith (photo courtesy of Walton-Verona athletics)

2022 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/19/22 – SCOTT (8-5 in 2021) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/26/22 – vs. Holy Cross (4-8) at Thomas More University – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/02/22 – at Grant County (1-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/09/22 – at Newport Central Catholic (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/16/22 – at Boone County (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/23/22 – GALLATIN COUNTY (3-7) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/30/22 – at Carroll County (7-5) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/07/22 – at Owen County (3-9) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/14/22 – SHAWNEE (3-8)– 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/21/22 – TRIMBLE COUNTY (2-8) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/28/22 – BYE

DISTRICT DOMINANCE
Walton-Verona is a combined 38-1 in Class 2A, District 5 play over the past 10 regular seasons. The Bearcats have won 30 of those games by 26 points or more. They have lifetime winning records against all-district foes: Gallatin County (13-1), Carroll County (12-2), Owen County (10-1), Trimble County (7-2) and Shawnee (4-0), 46-6 overall (.885 winning percentage).

 

 

 

 

 

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