It’s not like opposing teams don’t know what they’re getting when they face Indian Valley’s football team.
Here’s an imaginary scouting report: They’re going to run the ball … a lot.
Indian Valley’s running game has, in fact, helped the Braves run up a record of 14-0 and a spot in this Friday’s Division IV state semifinals. They will face Cincinatti Taft (12-2) Friday night at Historic Cooper Stadium in Columbus.
The numbers speak for themselves. Tailback Grady Kinsey and quarterback Ryker Williams have combined for nearly 4,100 yards rushing on the season. As a team, the Braves have just over 5,000 rushing yards.
While the backs are often perceived as the stars, it’s a solid offensive line that lays the foundation.
“It all starts up front,” said veteran coach Matt Lancaster. “Players at Indian Valley take a lot of pride in what they do up front.”
The Braves start three seniors on the line in Hunter Peterman, David Striker and Jaxon Burcher. Junior Koy Haney and sophomores Titan Peterman and Brogan Wilson round out the starters.
While they represent a solid group, they’re generally facing an uphill battle.
“I don’t think we’ve been the bigger team in any game we’ve played this year,” Lancaster said.
So what are the keys to the team’s success?
“A lot of it is coming off the ball fast and not letting their size scare us,” said Peterman, the starting center. “We have to hit them like we’re 6-foot-6 even though most of us are 5-8.”
“It’s just doing the little things right,” said offensive coach Chad Peterman. “We tell our kids we’re not the biggest, we’re not the strongest, we’re not the most athletic, we just do things right.
We tell our kids we’re not the biggest, we’re not the strongest, we’re not the most athletic, we just do things right.
“We do things differently, we don’t do the zone schemes that other teams do, when we double team, we truly want to move people. We focus on the little things – true technique – and being masters at what we do.”
It seems to be working.
Not only have the Braves won all 14 games they’ve played, there are very few that have been close. The team is averaging 43.8 points per game. They’ve scored 40 points or more every game and have topped the 50-point mark twice.
The line has opened enough holes for Kinsey to run for 2,844 yards and 42 touchdowns, both numbers that lead the state. Williams has added 1,255 yards and has passed for 966 more.
Burcher is the tight end, but has the ability to play fullback or anywhere on the line, as needed.
“We just practice physically every day,” Burcher said. “It’s a non-stop grind for us. It’s all thanks to Coach Pete. He’s a really good coach, but we’re a bunch of hard-nose players and we like to grind. We like hitting people.”
The line showed their grit last week as the Braves jumped out early and beat previously unbeaten St. Clairsville 48-7 in the regional championship game at Zanesville.
The ride home provided some excitement as well. A number of police and fire trucks from the various communities that make up the district waited at a gas station in Port Washington and escorted the team back to the school in Gnadenhutten.
“That definitely wasn’t expected,” Hunter Peterman said after a community pep rally in the school’s gym Monday evening. “They told us we couldn’t ride home with our parents. I was upset at first because I was going to go get some Raising Canes, but once I found out what it was, I was pretty excited. It was pretty cool.”
“It was nice to celebrate with people I’ve been around with my whole life,” said Striker.
“It’s exciting for us … it’s exciting for everyone around here,” Burcher said of the celebrations.
“The community is excited, all the little kids are excited, I’m excited. It really means a lot to all of us. We’re ready for another week.”
“Quiet Dave has really worked hard to make the most of his ability,” Lancaster said. “Jaxon does a lot from different positions. He’s always pushing. And Hunter is the brains of the operation. He’s the key to our communication and he helps everyone.
“All those guys are selfless. They do what they do for our backs.”
