Team Preview: Vianney
In this article:
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 Cannen Barcom Cannen Barcom 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Vianney…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 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 Cannen Barcom Cannen Barcom 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Vianney | 2021 MO 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…
CLASS OF 2022
Mark Meyers Mark Meyers 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Vianney | 2022 MO , 6-1, 190, ILB-RB
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.
Austin Collier Austin Collier 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Vianney | 2022 MO , 5-11, 165, CB-WR
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.
Paul Berra Paul Berra 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Vianney | 2022 MO , 5-10, 170, QB
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.
Trey Gottman Trey Gottman 5'11" | 215 lbs | DL Vianney | 2022 MO , 5-11, 215, DL-OL
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.”
CLASS OF 2023
Jack Burke Jack Burke 6'1" | 200 lbs | WR Vianney | 2023 State MO , 6-0, 185, WR-OLB
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.
Kel Battle Kel Battle 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Vianney | 2023 State MO , 5-11, 175, WR-CB
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.
Carter Hicks Carter Hicks 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL Columbia (IL) | 2023 IL , 6-5, 210, DL-TE
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.
CLASS OF 2024
Turner Hunsaker Turner Hunsaker 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Vianney | 2024 State MO , 6-1, 195, ILB-RB
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.
Follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at @natelatsch.