River Valley Football: Vikings return experienced team for 2022
CALEDONIA — There is reason for optimism at River Valley.
The Vikings return an All-Ohio quarterback and the reigning All-Star Marion County Offensive Player of the Year. They bring back skilled playmakers as well as a big and seasoned offensive line. And like the offense, the defense should be improved as experience prevails.
"We want to improve throughout the season and compete every week," River Valley head coach Doug Green said.
The Vikes are set up to do that and possibly more.
And it begins with the offense.
Senior Cayden Shidone (6-foot, 185 pounds) is back at quarterback after a school record-breaking season, tabulating 3,017 passing yards with 25 touchdowns as well as a team-best 757 rushing yards and 12 TDs as a dual threat in the spread offense.
All-Ohio receiver Karson Lang graduated with 67 receptions, 892 yards and five touchdowns, but Shidone has plenty of worthy weapons coming back.
Younger brother and junior Keyan Shidone (5-9, 145) emerged as a downfield threat, accumulating more than 500 yards in receiving. Senior Grant Butler (6-4, 170) is coming off a track season that saw him compete at the state meet in the high jump and a junior football season where he nearly had 500 yards in catches. Senior H-back Blake Mosher (6-5, 205) had five touchdowns and more than 300 yards in receptions.
Sophomore Chase Ebert (6-1, 180) and senior Austin Whitley (6-1, 190) will line up at receiver and running back respectively.
The Vikings are solid along the line. Junior Ethan Lyon (6-1, 240) was a standout in the weight throws during track season and he will anchor the group at center. Senior Colt Weaver (5-10, 255) and junior Brady Cookson (6-1, 250) will be tackles, while senior Eli Axline (5-10, 255) and junior Jared Slone (5-11, 275) will be guards.
Others filling roles on offense will be seniors' Ben Luchene (5-10, 205), Will Garrison (6-2, 215), Brock Mosher (6-3, 180), Mason Miracle (6-4, 185) and Cayden Rowe (5-11, 165), juniors' Carter Creeden (5-11, 180), Zeke Klenzman (5-8, 150) and Caleb Rowlinson (6-0, 140) and sophomore Jaxson Caudill (6-3, 160).
"We have several good, young players combined with some veterans," Green said. "We want to establish ball control with vertical threats."
Look for the defense to tighten up in 2022.
Last season, the Vikings gave up more than 240 yards per game rushing and 400-plus yards of total offense as opponents scored 44 touchdowns and 31.5 points per game.
"We return nine letter winners from last year's defense and offense, and we are banking on their experience," Green said.
At the hub of the defense is Garrison, an All-Ohio returnee at inside linebacker who produced 143 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and two interceptions, but he won't be alone.
Senior Dylan Barr (6-3, 235) is coming off an 89-tackle, 11-tackle-for-loss, nine-sack season as a defensive tackle, and Creeden made 79 tackles with five for loss as a safety last year.
Miracle will play defensive end as will Blake Mosher as the two combined for 56 tackles, four sacks and four tackles for loss. Luchene will line up at nose guard. Whitley will be the other linebacker.
In the backfield with Creeden will be Rowe as the other safety with 21 tackles, Butler with two interceptions as a cornerback and Ebert at corner.
Others to watch on defense are senior Jack Castle (5-10, 150, 16 tackles, four tackles for loss), Klenzman (38 tackles), sophomore Tyson Waddle (5-10, 195), Rowlinson, Axline, junior Jake Coyan (5-11, 245), Keyan Shidone and Caudill.
Ebert will punt and kick with Keyan Shidone and Butler as returners.
"We have high leadership expectations of all of our Vike Club members and especially our seniors," Green said.
As has been the case in recent years, the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference will again be strong top to bottom.
"Our league has always been competitive We want to compete every week and play to the best of our ability," Green said.
Challenging Shelby, Clear Fork, Marion Harding, Highland and everyone else in the MOAC is something the Vikings have been building toward after going 5-6 last year and making the playoffs. RV will move down to Division IV from III this postseason.
"Our offseason workouts have been extremely productive, and we are moving right into preseason work," Green said. "Our linemen have continued to work hard in the weight room and brought home an overall second-place finish at the Ontario Lineman Challenge."
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River Valley Vikings Football Bullet Points
Conference: Mid Ohio Athletic.
Coach: Doug Green.
Assistants: Tony Luchene, Matt Green, Matt Waddle, Jim Miracle, Kade Lang, Jordan Mally, Chris Grunden.
Postseason: Division IV, Region 14.
Playoff Appearances: 8 (2001, 02, 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21).
Playoff Record All-Time: 2-8.
Last Year: 5-6, 2-4.
Letter Winners Returning: 9 offense, 9 defense.
Starters Returning: 7 offense, 7 defense.
Base Offense: Spread.
Base Defense: 4-2-5.
River Valley 2022 Football Schedule
Aug. 19: Upper Sandusky at River Valley
Aug. 26: River Valley at Madison Comprehensive
Sept. 2: River Valley at Tiffin Columbian
Sept. 9: River Valley at Clear Fork
Sept. 16: Ontario at River Valley
Sept. 23: River Valley at Pleasant
Sept. 30: Marion Harding at River Valley
Oct. 7: River Valley at Shelby
Oct. 14: Highland at River Valley
Oct. 21: Galion at River Valley
River Valley 2021 Football Results
Upper Sandusky, W 33-22
Madison Comprehensive, W 14-7
Highland, W 35-21
Galion, L 25-42
Clear Fork, L 19-41
Ontario, W 49-14
Pleasant, W 49-14
Marion Harding, L 40-56
Shelby, L 20-47
Lexington, L 12-51
Playoff: Buckeye, L, 28-35
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: River Valley Football: Vikings return experienced team for 2022
