Written by: Baylen Hite

Photos courtesy of Darci Walters

Tippecanoe Valley Football Ready to Embark on 2024 Season

Smells of fresh cut grass, the sound of a whistle, and the crash of pads can only mean one thing at Tippecanoe Valley High School. Death Valley football is back. 

The Viking will chart their course for the 2024 season fresh off a (9-1) record in 2023. While graduation stripped the Vikings of a lot of the production from last season. They bring back a strong group who will try to win the first ever Northern Indiana State Conference title. 

After a schedule of unknowns and first time opponents in 2023 the Vikings will officially be in the INSC that includes Bremen, Jimtown, John Glenn, Knox, and Laville. Tippecanoe Valley will face 4 of their 5 conference opponents on the road. Additionally they’ll face Wawasee, rival Rochester, and Hammond Morton in a challenging non-conference schedule. 

However the INSC isn’t the only schedule change for the Vikings this season. They will compete in the newly reshaped sectional 26 in the postseason. The sectional holds Angola, Fairfield, (who the Vikings will scrimmage on August 16th) FW Concordia, Garrett, Lakeland, West Noble, and Woodlan. 

Despite the changes the message and expectation remains the same for Death Valley. Win games and find a way to eat turkey in the dome at the end of the year. Before the Vikings can think about what they might be eating on Thanksgiving they’ll have a challenging path that will prepare them for that possibility. Let’s run through some important story lines before Valley’s kicks off their season August 23rd against Wawasee. 

New Seniors on the Block

Although the senior class is smaller in numbers. They aren’t short for talent on both sides of the ball. Brock Derf who led the Vikings in tackles as a junior with 81 tackles and 11 of those for a loss has a chance to lead the conference (maybe the state) in tackles from the linebacker position. 

He’ll line up alongside junior Grady Moriarty who was 2nd on the team in tackles with 53.

“Me and Grady are always pushing each other and we know we’ve got each other’s back each play we’re excited to be able to help this defense,” Derf said. 

Another impact senior will be Asher McGriff who is expected to anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. McGriff had two sacks and a pick 6 last season on defense. 

“I feel like last year’s class set a great example of how to lead and I’ve been able to take the best parts of that group and try to implement that into the group.” McGriff said about his new role as a leader. 

Trees in the Trenches 

Valley’s offensive line will be reshaped after graduation took 4 of the 5 starters but this year’s line will come in with something you can’t teach. Size. The Vikings will boast one of the taller groups up front than they have in years past. 

Although it’s unknown how exactly the front will line up they are expected to be big. Players like Carlos Gonzalez, Gage Overbey, Cale Dewees, Trevin Hester, Kolton Sisk, Nash Miller, Asher McGriff, Jaime Wallace, Konnar Fountain, and Will Kelly all listed at 6’0 or taller up front for the Vikings

Fresh Faced Skill Group

The skill position group at Valley graduated a pair of all-time Vikings in Nate Parker at running back where he rushed for 1,229 yards and 17 touchdowns, and Wade Jones who pulled in 422 yards 4 touchdowns through the air. Both of those Vikings are headed to Taylor to play at the next level.

Although they don’t return as much production on offense it will give plenty of opportunity for others to step up. Look for Brandon Stiles (282 rushing yards) and Wyatt Hart (271 rushing yards)  to hold down the backfield after filling in for Nate Parker after he went down for the final 2 regular season games. Brock Derf and Grady Moriarty will return to play fullback for Valley’s ground and pound offense. 

At quarterback we can expect to see a competition between Jamison Phillips and Hunter Stage. Both played great last season when given opportunities behind Cody Eastgate who will play at Anderson this season. 

Out wide Wes Parker, Owen Omindi, Colten Crabbe, Hudson Shepphard and Hunter Paxton will get their fair share of targets from either Phillips or Stage. 

Offense might be the biggest mystery for Valley but also most exciting given the potential of their new look offensive line and skill group coming together. 

Game to Watch: Week 3 September 6th vs. Hammond Morton

Do not let Governor’s record last season (5-5) deceive you. They are as talented as any team that Valley will face all year long. The 5A program boasts a wealth of college prospects. Led by 3-star WR Lebron Hill who is heading to Purdue next fall, 3-star Freddy Brown who will play at Western Michigan, and plethora of others who will play in the NAIA, D3, and D2 ranks next fall.

The Governor’s feel like they are knocking on the door of success after a 4 win improvement last season and this will be a premier match up for the Vikings before conference play. 

Overall Outlook

Time and time again in high school football comes down to two things. Health and growth. Valley will need both those along with the established culture from previous seasons success to try and win the first ever Indiana Northern State Conference title and hope to spend Thanksgiving weekend eating turkey in the dome. 

Follow along here all season long for game previews and recaps. As always 107.3 WRSW is the home for Valley Football. You can listen to games all year long with pregame starting at 6 PM with Baylen Hite, Micah Lukens, and Rita Price on the call!