VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH • SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 • 21
Coach: Muzzy Colosimo
2020 record: 2-5, 1-4 in
Class 3A Allegheny Conference
All-time record: 264-253-9
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
8.27 Hampton 7
9.3 Highlands 7
9.10 at Shady Side Academy 7
9.17 North Catholic* 7
9.24 at Deer Lakes* 7
10.1 Freeport* 7
10.8 at Derry* 7
10.15 Yough 7
10.22 East Allegheny* 7
10.29 at Burrell* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Not available
FAST FACTS
• With 166 career coaching
victories, Muzzy Colosimo is
fifth all-time among Westmoreland
County coaches behind
Dick Dilts (Kiski Area), Joe
Mucci (GCC, Jeannette), Greg
Botta (Franklin Regional) and
A. Markley Barnes (Jeannette).
• Valley hasn’t made the
WPIAL playoffs since 2013
and hasn’t recorded a playoff
victory since defeating South
Fayette in 2005.
• This will be the 75th football
season at Valley Memorial
Stadium, named to honor
World War II veterans. The
first game there was a Ken
High victory over Central Catholic.
The second game was a
Steelers preseason contest.
• Valley’s opener against
Hampton will be the first time
the teams have played since
2011. The Vikings lead the
series 15-7, with the Talbots
winning the last five games.
DEFENSIVE STRENGTH TO
PLAY KEY ROLE FOR VALLEY
Name Pos. Ht/Wt. Cl.
Xavier Andree TE/DE 6-2/220 Jr.
Tamir Ansari OL/DL 5-7/180 Fr.
Da’yon Arner WR/DB 5-7/165 Fr.
Jae Lemar Broadnax WR/DB 6-0/150 So.
Darnell Coaston WR/DB 5-8/155 So.
Andre Freeman OL/DL 5-9/185 Jr.
Cieontae Guy OL/DL 5-10/220 So.
Andrew Hill OL/DL 5-7/245 Sr.
Tristin Goodwin QB/LB 5-8/180 So.
Aiden Henry OL/DL 6-0/230 Jr.
Gavin Holland LB/TE 5-9/170 Fr.
A.J. Houser OL/DL 5-9/190 Sr.
Micah Hughes WR/DB 5-5/135 Sr.
Jeremy Hughley FB/LB 5-8/205 Jr.
Tyree Jamison WR/DB 6-2/175 Jr.
Jeremiah Johnson WR/DB 5-11/185 Sr.
Ryan Knapp OL/DL 5-8/185 Fr.
Ryan Long LB/DL 5-8/165 So.
Sam Louis 5-11/200 Sr.
Dion Lyons 6-0/145 Sr.
Will Mott WR/DB/RB 5-6/160 Sr.
Chuck Perkins WR/DB 5-9/165 So.
Cory Pinson OL/DL 6-2/290 Jr.
Dallas Price FB/RB/LB 5-9/200 Jr.
Jayden Richter RB/LB 5-8/185 Jr.
Dominic Seybert OL/DL 6-4/300 So.
Domanick Simmons QB/DB 6-0/165 Jr.
Mason Simmons QB/DB 5-8/165 Fr.
Edward Sparrow RB/CB 5-8/202 Sr.
Sincere Stafford-Hill
Tyreece Swindler OL/DL 6-0/275 Sr.
Donovan Thomas WR/DB 5-6/130 Jr.
Joe Vagnier OL/DL 5-9/225 So.
Kyren Veasley RB/DB 5-7/160 Fr.
Zaire Warren WR/DB 5-9/160 Sr.
Dario Wolfe OL/DL 5-11/190 Sr.
Dashawn Wilkerson OL/DL 6-0/260 Jr.
Jaion Williams 5-7/140 So.
Xavier Wilson RB/LB 5-10/185 Jr.
ROSTER
After experiencing four consecutive
losing seasons for the first
time in nearly 50 years, the Valley
Vikings are eager to get back into
WPIAL playoff contention.
Valley finished last season 1-4 in
the Class 3A Allegheny Conference
and 2-5 overall.
The best way to jump back into
contention is by way of defense.
“Defense should be a strength
because we’re returning more
kids there than the offensive side,”
coach Muzzy Colosimo said. “Skillwise,
we have kids who can throw
and catch the ball because they are
that gifted athletically.”
One example is Mikey Hughes,
best known for his wrestling
ability.
“Even though he’s very small
in stature, he’s had one heck of a
summer,” Colosimo said. “Interceptions,
catches and touchdowns,
he’s just performed everywhere.”
Two quarterbacks are vying for
the starting job: Domanick Simmons
and Xavier Wilson. The veteran
coach feels both are capable of
running the team. The non-starter
would see action at running back
or wide receiver.
“We’re getting our kids to believe
in what we’re doing, but more than
anything, they believe in what
they’re doing,” Colosimo said. “It’s
been a relaxing atmosphere because
they’ve been doing so well
lifting weights and running.”
“We feel good because we’ve been
working as a team,” senior cornerback
Jeremiah Johnson added.
“We’ve been lifting, running hills,
7-on-7s, and getting our speed up.
I expect a good season from everybody.”
One of those hills is Drey Street
in Arnold, one of the Alle-Kiski
Valley’s steepest streets.
Also on defense, Simmons will
be a safety and Wilson an outside
linebacker.
“We’ve all basically grown up
together, and we have that chemistry,”
Simmons said. “The younger
players, we’ll try to show them
the way and help them any way
we can.”
Hopes are up for improved
line play. A slimmed-down Dario
Wilson will be the center, and
Tyrese Swindler will be an offensive
tackle and a nose guard
on defense. Dominic Seybert, a
sophomore who weighs more than
300 pounds, will also contribute.
“You need a GPS to get around
him,” Colosimo said.
Xavier Andree, a transfer from
North Catholic, will be at tight end.
Assistant A.J. Saunders is back
as Colosimo’s right-hand man.
“He’s one of the greatest mentors
you can have for kids,” Colosimo
said of Saunders. “He really
doesn’t ever talk down to the kids.”
Rich Maroncelli will coach the
offensive line, and Justin Young is
a newer staff member. Dana Jones
is the strength and conditioning
coach.
Another assistant is Hubie Bryant,
a former standout at Penn
Hills where he was on the 1963
all-state team. He played at the
University of Minnesota before
coming on with the Pittsburgh
Steelers at the start of the Terry
Bradshaw era.
Six of Valley’s 10 games will be
at home, including Friday’s opener
against Hampton.
“Our main goal is becoming a
family and playing great,” Johnson
said.
Valley will once again compete
in the Allegheny Conference
against Burrell, Deer Lakes, Derry,
East Allegheny, Freeport and
North Catholic.
by GEORGE GUIDO
DOMANICK SIMMONS
VALLEY • ALLEGHENY 7
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