Photo By Patty Theurer - #13 Rawlin Godfrey
Written by Meredith Spelbring
The Valley Vikings, who struggled down the stretch in conference competition despite finishing 4-5 overall, will look to right the ship in a new classification.
The Vikings, who previously competed in the eight-man ranks at 1ADI, joined Wendell and Declo in the 2A Canyon Conference after this year’s classification realignment. An upgrade in classification means Valley will have to field 11 players instead of eight in 2020, which could challenge Head Coach Ryon Jarvis’s depth on the bench.
Jarvis said the team’s season-opening game against Marsing will be a marquee matchup for the coach and the players.
“(I’m most looking forward to) Week 1 versus Marsing,” Jarvis said. “Just to see how the kids make the adjustment back to the 11-man game.”
The Vikings lost a handful of impact players to graduation after the 2019 season, including wide receiver and linebacker Ike Godfrey, who Javis said was the Viking’s most consistent player and leader for the team.
Despite losing some key talent to graduation, Javis said the team brings back several players to help boost the team in the 2020 season.
Running back and defensive end Zander Roseborough returns for the Vikings and is expected to make an immediate impact on the varsity squad. Jarvis said he expects Roseborough, the 180-pound player, will be coming back as a physical presence for the Vikings.
“Zander Roseborough – big body and started to come along last season after missing most of his freshman year,” Jarvis said.
The team returns senior quarterback Rawlin Godfrey to help build consistency on the offense. Also coming back for the Vikings is senior Brody Mussmann and senior offensive lineman Tito Garcia.
The keys to success for Valley High offense will be simple, Jarvis said.
“Take care of the football and get first downs,” he said.
Jarvis said he plans to run a balanced offense, relying equally on both the run and the passing game.
Just as the team’s key to success on the offensive side breaks down to be relatively simple, so does the team’s defensive approach, Jarvis said.
“Being physical and mentally prepared (will be key),” he said.
Check back with IdahoSports.com for updated Valley High School scores and schedules throughout the season.