Vikings discover tougher world in new region

 

Overview:

 

Spring Valley came very close to having a remarkable season in 2015. While the Vikings finished at 6-6, three of those losses were by a touchdown or less. Their best performance may have come in the playoff loss, when they were tied with eventual 4A State Champion Fort Dorchester at halftime.

 

Offensively, Spring Valley relied heavily on the running game, tallying 267 yards per game.

 

Defensively, the Vikings struggled, giving up 347 yards per game.

 

Quarterback: Quincy Hill

 

Quincy Hill takes over for Ryan Lee. Coach Robin Bacon believes Hill’s passing ability may be better equipped to loosen opposing defenses than Lee. While he does not run as fast as the graduating quarterback, Hill does read the option well. While this is his first year as a starter, Hill did gain some experience last season.

 

Terrell Jackson leads a running back unit that averaged 267 yards per game in 2015.

 

Running back: Terrell Jackson, Chase Hayes, Jaylon Morris, Keandre Jones, Paul Stokes, DeMarcus Crafy, London Thompson

 

The rushing attack for Spring Valley in 2016 may be running back by committee. It will be led by Terrell Jackson. He is a versatile runner who runs low to the ground. Chase Hayes comes over from the Viking baseball squad, while Jaylon Morris and DeMarcus Crafy move up from the junior varsity squad to add quality depth.

 

The Vikings are deep at fullback with Keandre Jones, Paul Stokes, and London Thompson.

 

Wide Receiver: Cameron Thomas, Kiyon Nelson, Bruce Williams, Josh Simons, Zach Williams, Ronald Holling

 

The wide receiving group has a lot of potential. Kiyon Nelson is a returning starter. Cameron Thomas transferred back to Spring Valley after spending a year at Irmo. He is coming off a solid spring practice.

 

Bruce Williams is in the same mold as former Viking R.J. Bacon. He can be physical with opposing defensive backs but also catches the ball well.

 

Ronald Hollings is another converted baseball player. He has great size for a wide receiver in the Vikings’ system. Zach Williams played junior varsity last year, but his athleticism creates more depth for Spring Valley at receiver.

 

Despite running a triple option attack, the Vikings’ receivers put up solid stats in 2015. They averaged 17 yards per reception and a touchdown every 4.5 plays.

 

Offensive Line: Julian Watson, Jordan Stiffler, Lee Moore, Jordan Thomas, John Sullivan, Matthew Branch, Kamron Lomax

 

The youth on the offensive line make this unit a concern for Bacon.

 

The offensive line will be led by Jordan Stiffler. The senior offensive lineman and all-state wrestler has a 4.7 GPA and a 1300 SAT score.

 

Julian Watson didn’t play in 2015 but will be in line to replace Prince Howard. He has good size 6’4”, 250 lbs.

 

Jordan Thomas, Lee Moore, John Sullivan, and Kamron Lomax will continue to improve as the season goes along. Matthew Branch will add depth.

 

Defensive Line: Myles Taylor, Keandre Jones, Jordan Stiffler, DePrince Haynes, Devin Jennings, Channing Tindall

 

Bacon spent the spring experimenting with the defensive ends. As a result, he has added depth to both defensive end and linebacker. Channing Tindall and KeAndre Jones are two players who practiced at both positions. They will probably see action at both positions during the fall. While the defensive ends will be rotating in and out, there will be no questioning who the true force is along the defensive line. Myles Taylor, a 6’7”, 400 lbs. defensive tackle, will man the nose tackle role. He will be almost impossible for opposing offensive linemen to move.

 

DePrince Haynes will also split time between defensive end and linebacker. Jordan Stiffler and Devin Jennings add depth to the line.

 

Linebacker: Paul Stokes, London Thompson, Channi ng Tindall, Drtania I’aulualo

 

This may be the best linebacker unit Spring Valley has had since Bacon has been with the Vikings.

 

It is led by senior Paul Stokes. Channing Tindall will split time between defensive end and linebacker. London Thompson will man the other linebacker position. Drtania I’aulualo will line up at middle linebacker.

 

Depth is not a concern at this position, as Bacon says he can play as many as six linebackers.

 

Secondary: Elbert Turner, Justin Offut, Shaun Moore, Mark Lawhorn, Trevon Duckett, Marcus Simpson

 

Experience abounds in the secondary as well. Elbert Turner, Justin Offut, and Shaun Moore all return after solid 2015 campaigns. Moore is the glue guy and a top prospect in the state of South Carolina.

 

Mark Lawhorn will play free safety.

 

Trevon Duckett and Marcus Simpson will provide depth.

 

Kicker/Punter: Bruce Williams, Jake Hamilton

 

Bruce Williams will take over the kickoff duties in 2015. He has some experience as he saw action at times in 2015. Jake Hamilton is a field goal and PAT specialist.

 

Final Analysis:

 

It is hard to walk away from the 2015 season and not think about what could have been for Spring Valley with so many close losses. However, with a year more experience at positions like wide receiver, defensive end, and linebacker, the shortcomings of last year could help out the team this year.

 

Spring Valley moves to 5A and joins a region with a lot of local foes. Viking fans won’t have to travel far during that por- tion of the schedule.

 

The bad news is Spring Valley went 0-4 in 2015 against teams now in its region. Those games didn’t include a Lexington team which advanced to the 4A State Championship game and an improving River Bluff squad.

 

On paper, the Vikings look like a team that should be able to compete with just about any team on their schedule. Defensively, Spring Valley should be better, especially with the massive Myles Taylor manning the interior of the defensive line.

 

Offensively, the Vikings break in a new quarterback, have to replace their leading rusher, and have an inexperienced offensive line.

 

There are plenty of questions surrounding Spring Valley entering the 2016 season, but if Bacon can get the triple offense rolling, there will be plenty of potential for the Vikings this year.

 

Head Coach: Robin Bacon (2nd season)
Overall record: 42-76
Offensive Coordinator: Robin Bacon
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Harrell
Assistant Head Coach: Mitchell Moton
2015 record: 6-6
2015 playoffs: lost to Fort Dorchester 28-14 in the first round.

 

Key Vikings

 

1. Myles Taylor- For a defense looking to improve in 2016, a mammoth defensive tackle is a good remedy. Taylor can take on double teams allowing an experienced and deep linebacking unit to roam around and make plays. He will also be helpful against the run for Spring Valley.

 

2. The Offensive Line- It’s hard to run an offensive style like the triple option if there are problems along the offensive line. While it remains to be seen how the Spring Valley offensive line will fair in 2016, the youth in the group are cause for concern. Jordan Stiffler will definitely have to provide leadership on and off the field for this unit to help an offense that, when it is running well, can wear down opponents.

 

3. Quincy Hill- Coach Bacon says Hill may be a little better at running the triple option than his predecessor. He isn’t as fast as Ryan Lee, but he may have a better arm. With an offensive line that will need time to gel, Hill will definitely have to read opposing defenses to get the triple option rolling in the early parts of the season.