2024 Pigskin & Hoops Preview: Valley Falls Dragons Football
TEAM: Valley Falls Dragons
CLASSIFICATION: 1A
LEAGUE: Northeast Kansas
COLORS: Black & Gold
SOCIAL MEDIA: @VFDragons on Twitter
HEAD COACH: Wyatt Hofstra (4th season, 6-21)
2023 RECORD: 1-8
2023 IN REVIEW
Valley Falls football is looking for a bounce-back campaign in 2024 after a tough go in 2023. The Dragons picked up an early, impressive win over Horton, but struggled to find their footing throughout the rest of a brutal league and district schedule. A major bright spot was their passing game, however, which was one of the best in the state. Valley Falls’ power spread attack led to 124.1 passing yards per game, the ninth-best mark in Class 1A. It was also a crucial developmental year for the program, which saw a bevy of underclassmen take the field and gain valuable experience.
KEY DEPARTURES
Five seniors from last year’s roster graduated this offseason, an athletic group that experienced the transition from 8-player to 11-player football a year ago. The biggest name from that group was Zac Evans, a long-time standout in multiple sports at Valley Falls who earned a first-team All-Northeast Kansas League nod on defense, a second-team honor on special teams and an honorable mention on offense.
TOP RETURNERS
The Dragons are bringing back a ton of speed, athleticism and depth in 2024, returning eight starters on each side of the ball. Grant Meyer will take over the full-time starting quarterback job after splitting time there and at wide receiver last season. Collin Kearney will step in as the bellcow running back for the Dragons, while A.J. Reeves, Duncan Alvarenga, Brady Nellis and Flint Seymour will all be key factors in the passing game. As for the defense, Seymour, Kearney and Nellis will make up one of the most experienced linebacker corps in the NEKL. The same title can go to Dylan Herring, Carter Pickerell and Samuel Sitting Up on the defensive line. The main secondary responsibilities will be handled by the talented group of Meyer, Alvarenga and Damian Cervantez.
2024 SCHEDULE
9/6 vs Horton
9/13 @ Oskaloosa
9/20 vs ACCHS
9/27 @ Onaga
10/4 @ McLouth
10/11 vs Jefferson County North
10/18 @ Jackson Heights
10/25 vs Pleasant Ridge
Northeast Kansas League, District game
2024 OUTLOOK
Returning experience is vital for teams at any level of competition. For rebuilding teams, for ascending programs, for championship contenders. With that in mind, Valley Falls is in a fortunate position entering 2024. The Dragons have a veteran head coach, a vast majority of their starting lineup returning and a lot of experience with the grind of an 11-player schedule after transitioning last year. Depth is still a concern behind that key group, which makes a strong summer program and early season development all the more important. It also helps that the NEKL is going to be a fairly young league this season, leaving the door open for an upstart program to make some noise. There’s plenty of room for growth for Valley Falls, but the pieces are in place for coach Wyatt Hofstra’s group to make huge strides in 2024.
FROM THE COACH’S HEADSET
“Last season we were again a really young and undersized team. We were thick with sophomores that have played a lot of snaps through two years. That group now enters their junior year with a lot of experience coming back. We graduated five seniors, and should have 5-6 incoming freshmen. We will have eight returning starters on both sides of the ball, with multiple others coming back with significant game experience. I think that we will be very capable of competing for a playoff spot if we have a great summer in the weight room, and control what we can control.” — Wyatt Hofstra
–Dan Lucero
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