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Before last season, Cowanesque Valley had not experienced a winning season since 1979. It had never reached the postseason during the 2000s. And year after year, just winning a game or two often was a struggle.
But everything changed in 2021.
The Indians built off a strong finish the previous season and produced one of the best years in program history. CV went 6-4, reached the District 4 Class AAA playoffs and was a victory from being the top seed in that tournament. Now the Indians get a shot at doing it again.
That will not be easy. Coach Mike Schmitt returned to Colorado where he originally coached and several standout starters graduated. Still, CV provided all its future teams something powerful that had been lacking in years past -- hope. The Indians brushed aside years of frustration with that breakthrough campaign and, armed with confidence, are eager to prove that it was not a one-year wonder.
"I'm very excited and grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with an excellent staff, from the junior high coaches Chuck Harlow and Tucker Hess, to varsity's Jacob Lane and Matt Sottolano," first-year coach Joe Leonard said. "We're building off the momentum of last season and creating a culture that we hope will have an ongoing positive impact on the kids and community."
Leonard is making his head coaching debut but has years of coaching experience. He was an assistant at his alma mater Elmira Notre Dame before moving on to Odessa/Watkins. Now he is eager to help CV keep its resurgence. He certainly likes what he sees so far.
"We had a great off season getting acclimated to each other and getting prepared for the season," Leonard said. "The past few seasons have been exciting for the kids and they want to keep that rolling."
CV did not have a program for two years before it was reinstated in 2004. From then through 2020, CV never won more than three games in a season. The winds of change started blowing at the conclusion of 2020, however, when the Indians won their last two games. CV won six of eight games entering districts last year and has a nice mix of veterans and promising newcomers poised to take another positive step.
The Indians must replace quarterback Jacob Schmitt and leading receivers Tanyan Brown and Tucker St. Peter, but have an excellent running back to build around in Tim Freeman. The sophomore was one of just five area players to ever top 1,000 yards as a freshman a year ago and also excelled at linebacker.
Sophomore Graham Hess likely will take over at quarterback. The Indians have had a lot of success with young quarterbacks with their last two starters, Seth Huyler and Schmitt, producing 1,000-yard seasons. Fletcher Good looks like he can be a dangerous receiver and young players like Tanner Robbins and Bradley Empson appear capable of also making a good impact.
CV's line was especially strong last season. Replacing standouts Kade Sottolano and Mike Sipps, will not be easy but Aspyn Dennis and Ean Bump sure provide a nice foundation to build upon. Both shined last year and will anchor a line which also will include Peter Wandell, Mason Plank, Josh Sherman and Philip Robertson.
All those players also likely will see time playing along the defensive line. Bump, a junior, came on strong at linebacker and will form a quality tandem with Freeman there. Good likely will anchor the secondary and Empson also will see some time there for a defense which held all six teams it defeated to 19 or fewer points.
CV will be younger than a year ago, but it also has tasted success. Years of losing sometimes dampened players' spirits in the past, but now these athletes know what is possible. That renewed vigor could help compensate for what CV will miss from a personnel perspective.
And with so many underclassmen likely to play big roles this season, it also could be a positive development for both the present and future. Freeman provides an impressive building block and there are a host of other players who can help CV continue climbing the ladder.
"Timmy is coming off a great year and he's got great leadership qualities that will continue to grow in the coming seasons," Leonard said. "We have some great kids coming back on both sides of the ball that will help us tremendously."
2022 Football Players to Watch
Carter Ackley, LB/RB: An outside linebacker who started flourishing in his first year starting, Ackley also could play a larger role offensively this season with CV taking some big graduation losses. Ackley is CV's second leading tackler returning, averaging 5.8 per game. The junior hit his stride late in the season as he gained more experience and produced a season-high nine tackles in a 20-0 win against Otto-Eldred. Ackley made two tackles for loss against Montgomery and added a sack in a 32-0 win against Wyalusing. In each of his last six games, Ackley made at least five tackles. He could see time as a runner and/or receiver this season.
Ean Bump, LB/OL: Another player who broke out for CV as a sophomore last season, Bump is the team's top returning tackler. The junior linebacker was a difference-maker in several CV wins, averaging 5.9 tackles per game while adding three sacks and five tackles for loss. Bump's defense played a major role in a comeback win against Northwest, a game in which he made eight solo tackles, collected a sack and recovered a fumble. All but 13 of Bump's 59 tackles were solos and CV went 3-0 in games in which he made at least 10 tackles. A physical player with quality speed, Bump also started up front for a line which, collectively, was the best CV has featured in the 2000s. That unit averaged 330 yards per game.
Tim Freeman, RB/LB: One of three freshmen running backs to go over 1,000 yards, Freeman was a relentless workhorse runner who kept getting better each week. Freeman became just the second CV player to go over 1,000 yards in the 2000s and finished his stellar debut season with 1,136 yards and 12 touchdowns. A hard-nosed runner who can churn out yards after contact, Freeman topped 100 yards in each of his last six games and averaged 5.8 yards per carry. He produced seven 100-yard games and is one of only five area freshmen to ever reach 1,000 yards in a season. Freeman can be a weapon out of the backfield as well, catching 12 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also is a talented outside linebacker who averaged nearly five tackles per game, intercepting a pass and making 35 solo tackles.
Fletcher Good, DB/TE: Like his brother Elliott who graduated last spring, Fletcher made an immediate contribution as a freshman. Good caught 10 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns and is second among the leading receivers coming back from last year. Good took on a bigger role when standout Tanyan Brown was injured late in the season and responded with three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs at Loyalsock. Good likely will play a much bigger role this season and had a strong game against Muncy when the Indians built a halftime lead with Good catching three passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Good also made an impact at safety and intercepted a pass in a 20-0 win against Otto-Eldred.