TEAM: Wyoming Valley West Spartans
COLORS: Burgundy & Gold
COACH: Jack Baranski, 2nd Season (3-8)
PIAA: Class 5A
2020 CONFERENCE: WVC Division 1
2019 RECORD: 3-8 (1-2 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 35-24
STADIUM: Spartan Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 4
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 4
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Spread
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-2-5
2020 PREVIEW
The Spartans struggled in 2019 with their first losing season since 1994. It was a combination of several factors, but head coach Jack Baranski has the numbers back up and Valley West is poised to have a bounce back season.
The good news is senior Dontae Rhodes is back at quarterback after missing time with an injury. The dual threat quarterback as been a staple for the Spartans and a healthy Rhodes can be a dangerous offensive weapons. He will have a new backfield with him 2020 as Darius Redguard takes over at tailback and Josh Koval will be at fullback. Two new wide receivers as well as Tyler Weidman and Conner Olisewski will be inserted into the starting lineup. Senior Jonathan Stochla returns at tight end, but Ian Leachey should see time at the position too.
Mark Raskiewicz and Noah Anderscavage were starters on the offensive line in 2019. Jason Pearson, Elijah Cropp, Evan Lord, Aiden Golightly, Jaden Swainbank and Jayce Sachs will all be in the mix to get playing time.
Cropp is the lone returning starter on the defensive line. Pearson, Anderscavage, Golightly and Leachey will be used up front. Redguard and Stochla were starters last season at linebacker while Isaiah Cobb, Landon Dietterick, Sadiq Burke and Jarrett Kasarda will have roles at that position. Olisewski is the only returning starter in the secondary and will be joined by Weidman and Rhodes in the defensive backfield.
Stochla will handle some of the the kicking duties.
