Football Preview: Dougherty, Sun Valley committed to reverse in direction

ASTON >> Brendan Dougherty didn’t mince words when the Sun Valley wide receiver talked about his plans for the upcoming football season.

“I personally got a chip on my shoulder because I didn’t have the best year last year,” the 6-5, 210-pound senior said. “I know I’m better than that and I just can’t wait to get out there and prove it.”

Dougherty isn’t alone in that sentiment. As a group, the Vanguards are out to put last season behind them.

Sun Valley struggled after winning two of its first three games last season, losing eight straight to finish 2-9 overall and 1-6 in the Ches-Mont American. That didn’t sit well with the Vanguards and they knew something had to change in order to have their first winning season since going 7-5 in 2006.

That transformation would have to be as much mental as physical. The Vanguards have had to buy into the program being put forth by second-year coach Ernie Ellis. That meant dedicating themselves in the weight room in the offseason and, most of all, committing to a team concept.

It’s working.

“I had a better turnout in the offseason this year,” Ellis said. “The younger kids are drinking the Kool-Aid. The older kids, it took a little more nurturing to get them to buy into the offseason stuff, but they’re buying in.”

The players agree.

“Everyone is more dialed in,” senior quarterback Steve Eskridge said. “Last year, not as many people were dialed in, this year we have it all figured out and we’re ready to go.”

That dedication was noticeable at a recent practice. The session was crisp as players hustled from one drill to the next and the work in the drills was intense.

“These guys don’t want to let anybody down,” Ellis said. They’re buying into that team mentality. In the past, we didn’t have the character of athlete. It was me, me, me. They talk about it. We talk about it, not letting the guy down next to you. That would definitely be our strength.

“I’m starting to see little things like upper classmen getting involved in cleaning up the field. Before, it was, ‘That’s the freshmen’s job.’ Now, they’re leading by example. It’s kind of awesome to watch.”

Ellis is counting on a core of returnees to provide the leadership to help the Vanguards get back on the winning track. It begins with Eskridge, who is back for his second season as the starting quarterback. Dougherty will be one of his main targets in the passing game, while senior Todd Harper and Noah Griffin will head up the running game. Harper and Griffin will also be key members in the secondary, Four-year starter Travis Powell is back to lead the way on the offensive and defensive lines.

“Stevie is one of the kids I had at Aston A.A.,” Ellis said. “He’s a dynamite young man. Sometimes he overcomplicates things for himself, but he has so many ideas and so many thoughts, the guys definitely enjoy him and follow him. Brendan is physically gifted. He’s really talented.

“Todd Harper, leader, probably won’t come off of the field. Noah Griffin has started to emerge as a leader. He’s one of those upperclassmen who’s really buying into the team thing. He has people following him now. You can’t ask for anything more.”

One newcomer to watch is kicker John Nolek. He recently hit a field goal of 50 yards that was shown on Twitter and had the whole team excited when the ball bounced off the crossbar and through the uprights.

“There’s a back story to that,” Ellis said. “We told the kids that if John made the kick on his first try we wouldn’t have conditioning. That’s why they were so excited.”

Other newcomers to watch are sophomore cornerback/running back Jack Penzone and junior middle linebacker Ryan Creegan.

“We’ve embraced that underdog mentality and we’re just waiting for our shot and eager to get out there and prove everyone wrong,” Dougherty said.

Griffen was more to the point.

“We want to make the playoffs,” he said. “That’s everyone’s mentality. We want to win.”