Team Preview: Vianney

The COVID-shortened 2020 wasn’t particularly kind to Chad Masters and the Vianney Griffins, who went into the campaign with a young roster that became even younger when top seniors [player_tooltip player_id="37326" first="Cannen" last="Barcom"] and Cole Petrus were limited by injuries. But Masters, now entering his third season at Vianney, likes the direction his program is headed despite still having a young roster with more underclassmen than upperclassmen. "The numbers have been good," Masters said. "We’re just making progress. I like where we’re going. ... This one is really special to me. They have that ’it’ factor. They get along so well. It’s fun to coach them every day. They are so competitive." Here is a quick look at some players to watch this season... <strong>CLASS OF 2022</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171957" first="Mark" last="Meyers"], 6-1, 190, ILB-RB</strong> Meyers missed his entire sophomore season with an injury but bounced back to lead the team with 39 tackles in five games as a junior. "He’s a physical, in-the-box linebacker but he’s a sideline-to-sideline guy," Masters said. The coach said Meyers will play a lot more running back this season after rushing for 29 yards on four carries last season: "He’s a one-cut North-South kid but he’s got speed." Meyers has attracted interest from Division II schools, including Quincy University. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11625849/5fd8ee7d7bd4890d902ac3e9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171958" first="Austin" last="Collier"], 5-11, 165, CB-WR</strong> Masters said Collier is a "4.5 40 kid" and "by far the fastest kid on the team right now." Collier started at cornerback a year ago and had a strong season against a difficult schedule that included three games against teams with multiple Division I wide receivers. "I think he gave up one vertical ball all year last year," the coach said. "He’s probably our one lockdown kid." Collier has attracted interest from Division II and Division III schools. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11625844/5fcd493a1600950334705463" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171959" first="Paul" last="Berra"], 5-10, 170, QB</strong> Berra started his Vianney career as a quarterback, moved to wide receiver and is now back at quarterback for his senior season. He had seven catches for a team-best 148 yards last season. "He gets better every time we do something, which is nice to see," Masters said. "He’s talented and has a good arm. He’s figuring out the mental side of the game, and what we’re trying to do, but he doesn’t try to do too much." Berra is also a standout lacrosse player for the Griffins. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11625858/5fa6ceb9d225c1075cfdd00f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37641" first="Trey" last="Gottman"], 5-11, 215, DL-OL</strong> A two-way starter the past few seasons on the defensive and offensive line, Gottman is  an undersized guy but loves the weight room and is a leader. "He’s just kind of that heart and soul of what we’re trying to be, that blue-collar team," Masters said. "... He’s the glue guy that holds it all together. He does all the unselfish things." <strong>CLASS OF 2023</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101712" first="Jack" last="Burke"], 6-0, 185, WR-OLB</strong> Burke is a two-way starter who plays a wide receiver, H-back and tight end hybrid position on offense as well as outside linebacker. "He is a competitive, tough kid," Masters said. "So far in 7-on-7 he’s been a ballhawk on defense. He plays with an edge that we need." The coach added that Burke’s ball skills, on both sides of the ball, are what separates him from other guys. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13242443/60d10bae2aa6740568737c2c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171960" first="Kel" last="Battle"], 5-11, 175, WR-CB</strong> Battle is a basketball player who has transitioned to football and is a legit vertical threat, according to the coach. "He’s really taken a big jump from last year to this year," Masters said. "He’s more physical. He’s a better route runner." Battle, who had eight catches for 60 yards last season, will also play cornerback this fall. "I really think he’s going to have a big year," Masters said. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13242582/5fca4b331762381308f66cec" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171961" first="Carter" last="Hicks"], 6-5, 210, DL-TE</strong> Hicks started as a sophomore on the defensive line, playing defensive end in Vianney’s 3-4 front, but he has come back as a much bigger player after putting on more than 25 pounds since last season. "He has phenomenal hands and (long) arms," Masters said. "... He has pretty good speed for a big kid. ... He should be a lore more physical on the line of scrimmage this year." Hicks will also play some tight end this season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13242460/5f9ac5ce3448f60d08d6cad7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>CLASS OF 2024</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171962" first="Turner" last="Hunsaker"], 6-1, 195, ILB-RB</strong> Hunsaker, who plays inside linebacker next to Meyers, has good size and good speed (4.8 40 according to Masters) and forms a strong middle of the defense with Meyers. "They are as good as I’ve had since I’ve been here and probably in 10 years of coaching," Masters said. The coach said Hunsaker wants to go the the Naval Academy and play football there. "He’s as good as anybody we’ve got on defense right now," Masters said. "... He’s the brains of the operation on that side." Hunsaker, who wrestled during his freshman year at Vianney, will also play some running back this season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14770079/5fee588123526714845bc161" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <em><strong>Follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</strong></em>