With 14 starters back, the Hidden Valley Titans are striving to make a return trip to the regional playoffs this season in a tough River Ridge District.
The Titans, who went 7-5 and lost 41-20 to Christiansburg in the second round of the Region IV Tournament, will see Nic Ratliff (senior, 5-10, 176, QB) Walker Brand (junior, 5-7, 182-RB), Garrett Pierce (senior, 5-10, 181, FB), Jake Kite (senior, 6-1, 188, WR), Chad Frazier (senior, 5-10, 155, WR), Jabob Bowen (senior, 6-2, 235 TE), Jordan Parke (senior, 5-11, 300, RT), Chris Moses (senior, 6-2, 234, RG), Troy Paplomatas (senior, 6-0, 225, C), Hunter Boone (sophomore, 6-1, 198, LG), Deven McDaniel (senior, 6-3, 200, LT) and Landon Dermott (junior, 5-8, 151, K), as probable starters on offense this season.
“We return five players on our offensive line with varsity starting experience,” said head coach Scott Weaver. Brand returns for his junior season with 1,600 career rushing yards already under his belt. Last season’s second leading rusher Mason Dermott is back, along with Pierce and Atkins.”
According to Weaver, Ratliff and Frazier are in a battle for the starting quarterback position.
Kite, who led the RRD in receptions last fall, along with Frazier and Mason Dermott give the Titans three reliable players out on the edge.
“The 2012 Hidden Valley Titan offense should be very balanced,” said Weaver. “With an experienced offensive line, we plan on being able to run the ball effectively while being able to pass protect long enough to get the ball outside to our experienced receiving corp.”
Defensive probable starters include Kite (SS), Frazier (S), Colin Johnson (senior, 5-8, 166, CB), Billy Howe (junior, 5-10, 172, CB), Massi Flici (junior, 6-2, 215, MLB), Nate Atkins (sophomore, 6-0, 201, MLB), Ian Kemp (senior, 6-4, 240, DE), Jacob Bowen (senior, 6-2, 235, DE), Nic Traegner (senior, 5-5, 165, NG), Kieran Wardale (senior, 6-0, 230, DT), and Parke (DT).
What are the Titans strengths on defense? “The middle of our defense – with Kite and Flici,” said Weaver. These young men have gained valuable experience last season playing quality opponents. Kite will play as a four year senior starter, while Flici will be a three year starter at the middle as a junior. This season we expect these players to be the heart of our defense.”
As for the defensive concerns, Weaver added, “In fall camp we hope to find some young men to step in and start on the defensive line. As a staff, we would like to keep as many of our linemen going one way. We need two or three of our younger players to step up and fill that void, so that we can keep our offensive lineman fresh.
Jonathan Richmond (senior, 6-0, 179) will handle the punting duties, while Kite will handle punt returns and Mason Dermott (sophomore, 5-6, 154,) will take care of kick returns.
“We should be very tough from the inside out,” Weaver noted. “We return a lot of experience from last year’s playoff team and we hope to build on that experience this season to see how far this team can go.”
The Titans open their season Friday, Aug. 24 at Patrick Henry. Game time is 7 p.m.