The viking – December 2008

Last year, the team was part of a record attendance (60,624) for the Motor City Bowl as we watched Central Michigan win a thrilling contest, 51-48, with a last second field goal over Purdue. We’re looking forward to another outstanding bowl game again this year.

The youth program finished another excellent season with the JV’s earning an undefeated and un-scored upon ledger.

We would like to say “Congratulations” to Coach Branstetter, his assistants, and all of the participants in the RV Youth Football Program!

The weight room is open every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Any football player not currently involved in a winter sport is expected to attend. We are using the “Bigger, Faster, Stronger” program this year, and we are already beginning to see noticeable strength gains. Remember that the path to success runs directly through the weight room. There will come a time when the fall asks what you did during the off-season!

B.J. Keener was selected as a 2^nd Team All-Conference Linebacker for the 2008 season. For the second consecutive year, B.J. led the team in tackles. For 2008, B.J. recorded 114 tackles, 3 for loss, and 1 sack. We’re looking forward to having B.J. anchor an outstanding linebacker core for 2009.

Michael Simmons also earned All-Conference honors by being selected as an

The following awards were voted on by team members and were presented at the November Awards Banquet:

Top Offensive Lineman – Eric Rayner; Top Offensive Back – Michael Simmons; Top Receiver – Sam Walter; Top Defensive Lineman – Michael Koeppel; Top Linebacker – BJ Keener; Top Defensive Back – Michael Simmons; Captains – Eric Rayner and BJ Keener



BOOSTER CLUB

The Booster Club can always use more members. The Booster Club meets on the first Monday of each month. The Boosters provide many things for our players such as uniforms, food, and equipment. We strongly encourage all parents to be actively involved with the Booster Club.

No football season is possible without the help of many outstanding individuals. I’d like to thank the following people for all of their help this season. Without these people, much of what we do would be impossible. Thank you to:

- the coaching staff and their wives (John and Lisa Klingel, Doug and Jill Green, Dan and Jane Chiles, Tim and Jen Chiles, Brian Stamm, Kevin Reeder, and Theresa Lynch)

- Pat Street, and his wife Diane, and the RV FCA

- the administration, with special thanks to Tom Shade, Dave Coleman, and Jayne Klingel

- the school board, with special thanks to Ken Stiverson and Bob Haas

- the cheerleaders and their advisors

- all of our wonderful parents

- the Friends of Football, with special thanks to Kevin Mally and Kevin Reeder

- the Booster Club

- the medical staff (Dr. Culler, Dale Claes, Kevin Reeder)

- the camera men (Phil Rollison, Brad Morrow)

- the field painters (Phil Shroyer and Matt Axline)

- to everyone else who makes the season possible.

As your football career comes to an end, remember the good times, the laughs, the cheers, and the friendships you’ve made through your experiences with RV football.

Look forward to the exciting new challenges that await you in the future. Tackle them head on. Be persistent. Be perseverant. Be strong. Be courageous. Be bold. Always take a look at “the man in the glass” and be strong enough to grow, mature, and evolve.

We will miss you! Best of luck with all of your future endeavors!

We bid farewell and best wishes to the following seniors: Kyle Hildreth, Josh LaBare, Luke Moren, Eric Rayner, and Kit Scott

May 29^th = Last day of school

June 1^st = Summer lifting, skill academy and linemen school begin

June 14^th = Friends of Football Golf Outing

July 20^th – July 24^th = first week of mini-camp

July 27^th – July 31^st = second week of mini-camp

August 6^th = Two-a-days begin!

August 15^th = First scrimmage

August 20^th = First day of school

August 21^st = Second scrimmage

August 28^th = First game vs. Wynford



Press On

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The River Valley Football Program would like to welcome home Coach Steve Comstock. We’re excited to have Coach Comstock back home at his alma mater, and we look forward to an outstanding, fast-paced, and enjoyable season as the RV cagers take to the hardwood.

The following football players are also on the basketball team this winter, and we wish them best of luck as the basketball season unfolds. The following football players are currently playing basketball: Cody Baker, Matt Davis, Tyler Dorfe, Griffen Force, Bo Keener, Luke McCoy, Trevor Miller, Brock Pressley, and Mike Simmons. In addition, Coach John Klingel will be serving as an assistant basketball coach this season. Below are the dates for some upcoming basketball games:

12/27 vs. Big Walnut

12/30 vs. Pleasant

1/8 vs. Highland

1/10 vs. Mt. Gilead

1/17 vs. Centerburg

1/22 vs. Cardington

1/24 vs. Buckeye Valley

1/30 vs. North Union

We want to wish assistant football coach Tim Chiles best of luck as he takes over as the head coach of the girls basketball program. The girls basketball program is blessed to have such a fine individual leading them on the court. Good luck to Coach Chiles and the girls basketball team!

The winter athletic season wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the world’s oldest sport. I commend all of our student-athletes who are brave enough to compete in “the toughest six minutes” in all of sport. Football players Cade Penix, Kevin Stephens, Clay