WALTON-VERONA BEARCATS

Class 2A, District 5

Head Coach: Jeff Barth (26-18 @ Walton-Verona, four years, 26-18 overall)

2010 Record: 8-3, 3-1

OVERVIEW: It hasn't taken Walton-Verona long to build solid foundation. The Bearcats have had back-to-back eight-win seasons heading into their fifth year of existence. Each passing year seems to bring new heights for head coach Jeff Barth and his boys. Maintaining all that success is the next hurdle for the program. There is still a huge gap between this squad and the level that NewCath and Holy Cross play at. Getting to that level won't be easy but if Barth and his staff can pull it off the end results are going to be very rewarding.

There are big voids left behind at the skills positions as graduation took some of Walton-Verona's very best. Senior Cory Bennett led the Bearcats in tackles last fall last with 95 while running for 573 yards on offense. Jake Higgins is ready to take the next step as a viable option in the backfield. Cole Mosier is as good of a two-way lineman as there is in Class 2A across the state. He has veteran help up front in Evan Kuhnell, Michael Hardin, Michael Hood and Ben Whalen. Despite not being known as a passing team, receivers Logan Foley, Tyler Cornelison and Keith Graue can extend opponents down field. Foley was terror on defense coming up with six interceptions, two fumble recoveries while registering 65 total tackles in 2011.

In 2011, the freshman class was counted on heavily to make contributions and they did just fine. William Lattimore, Mason Compton, David Carr, Jacob Navey, Matt Coomer, Cody Catlett and quarterback Justin Kline will be looking to avoid a sophomore jinx. Carr, Compton and Lattimore combined for 71 total tackles in their varsity debuts.

This post was edited on 6/25 5:02 PM by DClasgens