2023 Snapshot: Walton-Verona
- Updated: July 1, 2023
Walton-Verona K/P Lincoln Mann (photo from Twitter: @LincolnMann9)
Realignment has reshaped Class 2A, District 5. With the addition of reigning state champion Beechwood and Bracken County (a combined 21-4 in 2022) and the subtraction of Shawnee and Trimble County (a combined 6-15 in 2022), Walton-Verona is going to have its handful retaining its dominance in the district.
The Bearcats have ruled Class 2A, District 5 over the past 11 regular seasons. They a combined 43-1 against district foes in that span. Walton-Verona has won 35 of those games by 26 points or more. The school has gaudy lifetime winning records against district foes, Gallatin County (15-1), Carroll County (14-2), Owen County (11-1), Trimble County (8-2) and Shawnee (5-0) going 51-6 overall (.911 winning percentage).
Walton-Verona looks to take on the new district with a star under center on offense and a deep defense. “Quarterback Jackson Smith had a breakout season in 2022 and we expect even bigger things in 2023 from him,” head coach Jeff Barth states. “We have a strong returning linebacking core with seniors Jon Seibert, Eli Diop, Brett Wiethorn and Abe Bowling. Our defense returns seniors Ben Teipe, Landon Schirmann, along with juniors Luke Hyden and Gavin Roberts. Seibert and Hyden provide us some experience up front.”
Barth does have some concerns about the offense. “We will have a couple of inexperienced offensive linemen and running backs headed into the season.” The good news is that the Bearcats bring back two players, Smith and Teipe who accounted for 58% of their rushing yards and 65% of their rushing touchdowns a year ago.
Walton-Verona has its most challenging schedule in school history. The first seven teams on the slate all had winning records in 2022. The teams on the Bearcats schedule were a combined 73-44 in 2022 (.624 winning %). It is going to take some real work and a strong effort if the program is to have its 14th consecutive winning season in its 16th year of existence. Expect this team to rise to the occasion and get it done.
Class 2A, District 5
2022 RECORD: 9-3, 5-0 Class 2A, District 5
COACH: Jeff Barth (113-57 at Walton-Verona, 14 years; 113-57 overall)
TOP RETURNEES
Jackson Smith, Sr, QB – Emerged last season as dual threat quarterback and got invited to the Elite 11 Regional in Mississippi this past spring. Smith has high IQ for the game with elite speed and is a hard worker. He won the indoor Class A state championship in the 60 and 200-meter dashes as well as the outdoor 100 and 200-meter dashes as a junior. Smith amassed 2,012 yards of total offense (988 pass, 1,024 rush) and accounted for 22 touchdowns (13 pass, nine rush). He is receiving college interest both for quarterback and track and field.
Walton-Verona QB Jackson Smith (photo courtesy of Walton-Verona athletics)
Ben Teipe, Sr, RB – The Bearcats Swiss Army Knife. Teipe runs hard and is a solid blocker offensively. He is also an effective blocker and tackler on special teams. The four-year letterman ran for 397 yards, found the end zone eight times rushing, registered 26 total tackles and had one-and-a-half sacks as a junior.
Landon Schirmann, Sr, OL/DL – Can play any of the offensive line positions and looks to have an even bigger role on defense this fall. The 6-foot-1, 265-pound Schirmann has worked hard in the weight room this offseason. Those efforts should pay dividends in 2023.
Lincoln Mann, Sr, K/P – A very hard worker who has improved immensely over the past three years. Walton-Verona has enough confidence in Mann’s abilities to kick any field goals from 40-yards in with a range of up to 45-yards out. Mann connected on 33/37 extra points and 5/8 field goals with a long of 42-yards as a junior. He is 106/125 on extra points and 9/12 on field goals for 133 kicking points in his career.
Jon Seibert, Sr, OL/MLB – A very physical player who can fill B to B Gaps with force and chase down running backs to the alleys. Seibert developed in zone pass coverage as his junior season progressed. He is a better run stopper than in coverage, but capable at both. Seibert emerged as a very effective offensive guard last year as well. He tallied 43 total tackles, had 3.5 tackles for losses and forced a fumble last fall.
Max Montgomery, Sr, DB – A team leader who is an outstanding defensive back and wide receiver. Montgomery has deceptive speed and is a very good route runner and tackler. He led the Bearcats with 24 receptions and 268 receiving yards as well as having a pair of touchdown catches in 2022. On defense, Montgomery recorded 35 total tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Walton-Verona DB Max Montgomery (photo courtesy of Walton-Verona athletics)
Eli Diop, Sr, LB – Will be called upon to be a leader in the middle of the defense. Diop was in on 17 total tackles, had 3.0 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery as a junior.
Brett Wiethorn, Sr, LB – Will be a factor on defense and could even have some big moments out of the backfield on offense. Wiethorn scored his first varsity touchdown against Shawnee on 16-yard reception from Smith, last fall.
Abe Bowling, Sr, LB – Another senior whose time has finally come. Bowling had 16 total tackles and 2.0 tackles for losses a year ago.
Luke Hyden, Jr, DL – Has a knack for coming up with key plays. Hyden had two sacks, 3.0 tackles for losses and a pair of fumble recoveries as a sophomore.
Gavin Roberts, Jr, DL – A returning letterman who is primed for an excellent junior season. Roberts was in on 18 total tackles, with 4.0 tackles for losses and two fumble recoveries in 2022.
2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at Bishop Brossart (9-3 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Newport Central Catholic (11-3) – 7:00 PM*
Fri – 09/01/23 – BYE
Fri – 09/08/23 – at Kentucky Country Day (9-3) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – HOLMES (6-5) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – at Bracken County (7-3) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – at Beechwood (14-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – CARROLL COUNTY (7-5) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – at Gallatin County (2-8) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – OWEN COUNTY (5-6) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/27/23 – BOONE COUNTY (3-7) – 7:30 PM
*at Covington Catholic HS
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