(Greenfield) Nodaway Valley/O-M will play Mount Ayr on Friday night.
The Wolverines are ready to get rolling according to coach Seth Comly. They return a lot in the skill positions on offense including quarterback Nathan Russell and wide receiver Caelen DeVault. “Nathan Russell is always in that conversation coming back as a three year starter. Caelen DeVault is always a big name. I think everyone knows about him. We have Adam Ayase who has had to slide into an offensive line position. We don’t know how many touches he’ll get, but he’s sliding into a big role for us there.”
Elliot Cooney will be the running back with Boston DeVault and Tyson Ross also at the skill positions. The offensive line has a lot to replace. “We lost 4 of the 5 starters from last year so that’s a big transition for us. A lot of young guys are having to step up. Our leader right now is Carter Holder. He’s a returning starter and a senior this year. He’s really taken charge of that group.” Jackson Kerr and Kaden Herr are a couple of others that have stepped up.
Comly looks for Caelen DeVault to be a force on defense. Dax Kintigh slides into a big role and Avery Phillippi returns after a strong sophomore season. Comly refers to DeVault as, “Kind of a fix all, end all, be all kind of guy. Dax Kintigh has some big shoes to fill from what Tony Ayase left, but he’s stepped into that role of quarterback of the defense. He’s really stepped up big. Avery Phillippi on the defensive line is looking to build off a big year he had last year and keep going with it.” Jackson Kerr will play a big role on the defensive line and Adam Ayase is another key returner.
Against Mount Ayr they must be prepared to stop the run. “They look like they are going to be run heavy again. That’s our first thing we need to focus on is make them throw the ball.”
Nodaway Valley/O-M coach Seth Comly:
