Valley looking to stack more wins in year 2 under coach Mark Adams

By: Giustino Racchini
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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In Year 2 under coach Mark Adams, the Valley football program is ready to show progress.

One of the key factors to help stack more wins this season is the return of quarterback Mason Simmons, who is entering his second season as the starter.

“I think I’ve really improved in accuracy and speed with a lot of speed training over the spring and the winter since I play hockey and baseball, too,” Simmons said.

Playing multiple sports has helped Simmons continue to stay in shape as he is able to use his dual-threat ability on the gridiron.

“He’s grown on the job. Last year he was injured early against Mt. Pleasant and missed the rest of the season. He’s really come back into his own and pretty much taken over the offense as a leader,” Adams said of his quarterback.

“He’s smart. He understands the concepts we installed with the offense. He’s able to change it on the fly if needed. He’s able to eat it up and spit it out to the rest of the team. I like that. He’s able to read the chalkboard, read the defense very well. I want to see that out of my quarterback, to comprehend what a defense is trying to do to you and break it down. He’s done a very good job of that this offseason.”

Simmons was a true dual-threat QB last season, using his legs as well as his accuracy to help Valley inch forward from a one-win campaign in 2022 to a two-win 2023 season.

And in Adams’ system, Simmons will continue to run the football.

“Every quarterback I’ve had better be able to run the ball because you’re not going to sit back there (in the pocket) and look pretty,” Adams said.

Adams said the defense will go through growing pains after losing star defensive end Demetrius Ballard, who is now playing at Buffalo. The offense, on the other hand, is returning plenty of talent.

“There are a few players on offense that will help us out this year, such as (junior) Coury Pitts and (senior) Zayaan Ferron, who are both good ballplayers,” Adams said.

Senior Derek Hassim also will be an option at receiver. At running back, Valley will rely on senior Anjay Chambers and freshman Zay Adams.

Up front, senior Ryan Knapp will lead the linemen, along with center Dontavious Thornton and sophomore Roman D’Argon at guard.

Defensively, Adams will have to rely on younger players.

One of those players, D’Argon, is a rising sophomore who is hoping to follow in Ballard’s footsteps.

“I told all of my teammates throughout the offseason that we just gotta be like Meech (Ballard) and work really hard so we can go to college, too,” D’Argon said.

Junior Jaden Wall is moving from defensive end to inside linebacker to anchor the defense. Pitts will be a “field general” at safety, Adams said, with Hassim and Ferron as the cornerbacks.

“Valley hasn’t won in a long time, and we know that,” Adams said. “We want to put wins up early and grow as the season goes on. If they can do that, they will be a pretty decent team to watch.

“The expectation is to see them jell as a team and police one another.”

With realignment changing the look of the Class 3A Allegheny 7 Conference, adding formidable neighboring opponents such as Burrell and Highlands, the Vikings will have their hands full.

“I mean, it’s a stout conference. You’ve got Burrell and Highlands stepping into the conference,” Adams said. “I think every single Friday night in our conference is going to be a big game for us.”

As Week Zero nears, the Valley football team is ready for the challenge that awaits this fall.

Valley

Coach: Mark Adams

2023 record: 2-8, 0-5 in the Class 3A Allegheny 6 Conference

All-time record: 269-278-9

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Southmoreland, 7

8.30 Riverview, 7

9.6 at Greensburg Salem, 7

9.13 Imani Christian*, 7

9.20 at Quaker Valley, 7

9.27 at Freeport*, 7

10.4 Burrell*, 7

10.11 East Allegheny*, 7

10.18 at Deer Lakes*, 7

10.25 Highlands*, 7

* Conference game

FAST FACTS

• Mark Adams enters his second year at Valley after previously being head coach at Leechburg and Southmoreland. He also was an assistant coach at Valley from 2018-19.

• Valley has not won a playoff game since 2005 against South Fayette.

• Valley will take on crosstown rival Highlands for the first time since 2021 when the Vikings lost 41-6 to the Golden Rams.

• The Vikings will host Burrell for the annual Battle of the Bypass on Oct. 4. The Bucs have won the last five in the series, including 30-8 last season.

ROSTER

Name, Cl.

Anjay Chambers, sr.

Patton Eason, sr.

Zayaan Farron, sr.

Derek Hassim, sr.

Ricky Johnson, sr.

Ryan Knapp, sr.

Mason Simmons, sr.

Josh Dunlap, jr.

Levante Godfrey, jr.

Trent Hicinbothem, jr.

Preston Wilson, jr.

Brendon Knuckles, jr.

Skyler Lincoln, jr.

Saleem McKay, jr.

Blake Miles, jr.

Javon Norman, jr.

Coury Pitts, jr.

Raydon Thomas, jr.

Jaden Wall, jr.

Damien Black, so.

Roman D’Argon, so.

Darian Grace, so.

Brendyn Jackson, so.

Lamar Jackson, so.

Kadin Robinson, so.

Cadin Shurina, so.

Dontavious Thornton, so.

Sean Wilkerson, so.

Christian Wilson, so.

Zay Adams, fr.

Maurico Avent, fr.

Brendon Andrzejczuk, fr.

Juzef Betts, fr.

Giovianni Coniglio, fr.

Jeremiah Dawson, fr.

Nathan Foreston, fr.

Logan Heakins, fr.

Roman Hughes, fr.

Roman King, fr.

Trevon Lewis, fr.

Raymond Loury, fr.

Jaron Minford, fr.

Tristan Olbeter, fr.

Owen Rankins, fr.

Tanner Simmons, fr.

Fabian Wilson, fr.

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