2026 Team Preview: Petersburg Vikings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 SEASON RECAP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Losses: RB/LB Lukas Wolford - WR/DB Kaleb Kuhn - TE/DL Alex Halterman - DL Logan Bachman - WR/DB Colson Bobo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Petersburg continued its recent success with a second straight playoff appearance in 2025, finishing the season 7-4 under third-year head coach Shane Shockey. The Vikings fell to Midland Trail in the opening round, but making the postseason in each of Shockey's first two seasons, including their first playoff win in school history in 2024, has given the program a spark. There are some key departures to account for this fall, but Petersburg returns a strong number of productive players from last year's roster. That experience should give the Vikings a solid foundation as they look to keep the playoff streak going in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: vs Pendleton County <br>9/11: at Berkeley Springs<br>9/18: at Keyser<br>9/25: at Moorefield<br>10/2: vs Doddridge County<br>10/9: vs Philip Barbour<br>10/16: at Frankfort<br>10/23: vs Clear Spring (MD)<br>10/30: vs Tucker County<br>11/6: at East Hardy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>7-4 (Playoffs Round One)<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 5-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Petersburg faces one of the more challenging schedules in Class AA this season, with seven playoff teams from a year ago on the slate. As one of the smaller schools in the classification, scheduling can be difficult, with the Vikings facing a mix of Class AA and Class A opponents while trying to accumulate enough points to reach the postseason. The schedule may not do them any favors, but Petersburg should be a difficult matchup for most of those teams. If the Vikings can navigate a daunting schedule, don't be surprised to see them in the playoff mix for a third straight season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2326275"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a77091ca8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings will need someone to emerge as the leader of the linebacker room, and 2027 LB Matthew McDonald is a strong candidate to fill that role. McDonald finished sixth on the team with 62 tackles as a junior while adding 8 TFLs and 5 sacks. He brings good 6'0 190 size to the position and has the physical tools to garner college attention this season. With Lukas Wolford graduated, McDonald has an opportunity to step forward as one of Petersburg's defensive leaders and absorb some of the production lost from his graduation. He's an under-the-radar name heading into his senior season, but the opportunity is there for him to produce a big senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20317154/68e927bf7251f64946ce10eau0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b612a07af3"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2326272"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a770920ebe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An Honorable Mention All-Potomac Valley selection as a junior put 2027 OL/DL Jared Biggs on the radar entering his senior season. Biggs brings a powerful 5'11 295 frame to the interior and gives Petersburg a strong presence to lean on in the trenches. He will make an impact on both sides of the ball and is one of the Vikings' top linemen to know. With another year of development, Biggs has a chance to build on last season's recognition and earn even more accolades as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1421223"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a770920f52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Petersburg has a versatile building block in 2028 QB/ATH Payton Metheny, who has already made an impact in multiple areas during his first two seasons as the starter. Metheny threw for 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore while adding 150 rushing yards and six more scores on the ground. He also contributed 24 tackles and an interception on defense while handling kicking duties, showing just how much he means to the Vikings' program. He's undersized for the quarterback position, but his dual-threat ability and overall versatility make him a difficult player for defenses to account for. Metheny is a multi-sport standout at Petersburg and one of the best overall athletes to know in Class AA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17650736/68b89c54c832f3ebe67e9b9au0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b612a07bbb"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140639"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a770920fbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 Petersburg ATH Evan Tawney has the versatility to become one of the Vikings' most important playmakers as a junior. Tawney contributed across all three phases as a sophomore, rushing for 186 yards and three touchdowns, catching 40 passes for 493 yards and five scores, and adding 64 tackles and an interception on defense. His ability to line up at running back, receiver, or safety gives Petersburg plenty of ways to get him involved, and he consistently made an impact regardless of where he lined up. With another year of development, Tawney has a strong chance to turn his already productive sophomore season into a true breakout campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17795074/69fa783ee9175215e7718620u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7b612a07c1d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2326288"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a770921024"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A productive sophomore season has 2028 LB Garrett Dolly on our radar heading into his junior season and is a key two-way returner for the Vikings. Dolly finished fourth on the team with 72 tackles and has the versatility to line up as a traditional linebacker or down as a rush end. He also started at guard offensively, showing the toughness and willingness to contribute wherever needed. Dolly is undersized at 5'9 165, but he plays bigger than his frame with a scrappy style and high effort. Expect him to remain a productive two-way contributor for the Vikings over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cowen Gomez-Burton - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryder Nazelrodt - 2028 TE/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iann Doman - 2028 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Helmick - 2028 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Micah Ertel - 2028 DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Mauzy - 2029 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parker Metheny - 2030 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->