Tri-Valley Conference Ohio – Conference Preview
By: Jack Zwiezinski
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Nelsonville-York Buckeyes
The defending conference champions are fresh off an 8-3 season, which featured undefeated conference play. While the team said goodbye to Landen Inman, the upcoming season should feature a familiar Buckeyes team. Many all-conference players are returning, including Alec Thompson and Dakota Cunningham.
You can never count the Buckeyes out, and after a championship, they’re ready to follow with an equally dominant season.
Athens Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are following up an impressive season, one which featured the best record in 10 years. They ended the season 10-2, going 5-1 in conference play. Their only conference loss was a close loss against the Buckeyes at the end of the season. However, this team has 15 seniors who graduated, including Alex Pero and Leo Martin and will look quite different.
Head Coach Nathan White is ready to work through the losses with a day-by-day mentality.
“We focus on one day at a time,” said Coach White. “Our message here for years now has been ‘make sure we get better today…’”
Despite the losses, The Bulldogs are rearing for a chance at the title.
Vinton County Vikings
Vinton County went 4-6 in the season, with their 4 wins coming from in-conference play. It was the first year for head coach Marcus Games, it’s expected for them to take a while to find their footing. After losing some big names, the Vikings are looking to younger players to step up.
The team is looking to find their footing and make some noise within the conference yet again.
Meigs Marauders
The Marauders went 5-5 last season, and 3-3 in the conference. As the second year for head coach Nolan Yates, this team may undergo some big changes. Quarterback Gunner Cleland and receiver Isaiah Arms will both return, but they did lose a big offensive playmaker in all-conference tight end Dustin Vance who graduated after last year.
Most of the core is returning, so this team is looking to make some improvements and make a run for the top of the conference.
Wellston Golden Rockets
Wellston also went 5-5 last season, falling 2-4 in conference play. We saw a young team who started to take flight in the second year under coach Chris Graham. The Golden Rockets see the return of runningback Josh Clarkson, who had a productive year last year. With yet another year under their belt, the Golden Rockets look ready to give the TVC-Ohio some problems.
Alexander Spartans
The Spartans finished the season 3-7 and 1-5 within the conference. In the offseason, Alexander lost only three players and saw a change in personnel, with new head coach Cory Bean. Bean is an experienced coach familiar with Alexander sports through and through, both playing for and coaching for the Spartans. He looks to introduce a new mindset to the team going forward. With a new coach and most of their players returning, the Spartans may be prepared to make a big leap this season
River Valley Raiders
The Raiders ended last season 0-11. It was the first year for head coach Steve McAvena and we could see players get more comfortable within the system. With returning players and possible scheme changes, this team could see improvements and make some surprises in the conference.