2025 Preview: Spring Valley Vikings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's no secret that both 2023 and 2024 did not go the way anyone from Spring Valley hoped it would.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An 0-11 season followed by an 0-10 season often leads to a coaching change and that was much of the same case for the Vikings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norman Washington will be the new man in charge this season and he is well aware of the struggles from previous seasons and is looking forward to hopefully turning those around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"These guys have been working so hard," Washington said. "They're ready to get the bad taste out of their mouth from last season. They've been around for some of the history and success here and are they're hungry and ready to get back to that level rather than the last couple of seasons."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few of those guys Pearson was referring to are lineman <strong>Shymiek Reid</strong> (pictured), quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='477819' first='Dylan' last='Redden']</strong> and linebacker/running back <strong>Brent Mills</strong>. Those are three of Pearson's biggest leaders and he's been extremely grateful for how they've rallied around him in his first season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"These three have been the biggest leaders since the first day I stepped into the building," he said. "They work harder than anyone else, they care about each other and their teammates so much and it's been such a privilege to watch them go to work and try to get better each and every day."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For not only those three, but for the entire team, the message this offseason seems clear. It's to get back to some of the old Spring Valley success and that starts with brotherhood and responding to adversity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The way we communicate with each other is going to be so important," Mills said. "We know it's football and bad things are going to happen. It's all about the way we respond to them when they do happen."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More importantly, it gets back to the simple things, and that is simply winning football games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Paying attention to the smaller details is what adds up to winning games," Redden said. "Showing up to practice, being coachable and putting in the effort is gonna help us flip the script from the last two seasons."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='477819' first='Dylan' last='Redden']</strong> QB, 2026 - Redden will be the man under center this season and he will look to improve on what was an okay campaign in 2024. He threw for 929 yards with seven touchdowns and a high volume of interceptions with 12. He also lost three fumbles, so ball security will be a crucial aspect of his game to clean up. If he can do so, he is primed for a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Dukes</strong> OL, 2026 - Success will be hard to come by without a capable offensive line and Dukes is the main man in the offensive line room. He will be a three-year starter this season and is one of the emotional leaders on the team. His versatility to play both guard and tackle could allow Spring Valley to use him differently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kam Portee-Broadwater</strong> DB, 2026 - One of the two Portee-Broadwater brothers makes this section and is line to be one of the better defensive players this season. Due to injuries, he appeared in just two games last season, but Washington made it known that he is back healthy and ready to make a big impact in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Damarion Green</strong> DL, 2026 - On the flip side of the offensive line, Green is a playmaker on the defensive line. He finished last season with 31 tackles, two sacks, 1 1/2 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. With two of last season's top tacklers having graduated, Green's numbers in all areas should see an increase this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zachary Williams</strong> DB, 2027 - Williams was a playmaker all over the field on defense last season. He led the team with six interceptions and added two passes defended as well as 20 tackles. His ball skills and instincts are incredible and if teams decide to target his side of the field again this season, his interception numbers could be much of the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19674939/6749fec01a1ef8504fa28ddf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6886f3a63fe3b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Donte Henderson</strong> DL - Henderson was easily the best player on defense for Spring Valley last season. He led the team with 51 tackles as well as eight tackles for loss. He had just 1/2 sack, but his 10 quarterback hurries were the best on the team as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terrence Murrill</strong> WR - Murrill led Spring Valley in catches (28), receiving yards (365) and touchdowns (five) last season. No other receiver had more than two touchdowns, so his production will be a bit difficult to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carson Cartwright</strong> DL, 2027 - Cartwright has a massive frame at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds. His presence and speed off the edge are rare for a player his size and with Green getting most of the attention on the defensive line, Cartwright could easily be forgotten about and have a big year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Portee-Broadwater</strong> DB, 2027 - The other Portee-Broadwater brother makes the list, and he is in line for a solid season in the secondary. He has excellent speed and is great in coverage. With the previously mentioned Williams manning one side of the field, teams will be tempted to go after Portee-Broadwater, and he will have a chance to make them pay for that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1737642,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Joshua Mickey","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spring Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68878a37bf170"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mickey may be option No. 2 on the defensive line behind the previously mentioned Green. As just a sophomore, his work ethic and love of the game is a driving force for his standout performances at camps and combines. He is well in line for a standout sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->