Pigskin Roundup 2017 | Page 37

TEAM REVIEWS PREVIEWS ALEXANDRIA VALLEY CUBS Class, Region: Class 5A, Region 7 Head Coach: Frank Tucker 2016 Record: 5-4 2016 Playoffs: None 2016 Rewind: The Valley Cubs lost 3 of the first 4, but won 4 of the next 5 to post a winning record, but narrowly missed the Class 5A playoffs Key Losses: The Cubs lost LB/FB Chase Smitherman, LB A.J. Martin, and RB Quentin Bowie off the 2016 squad. Ethen Darnell Players to Watch: Though he missed 5 of 9 games with an injury, running back Keenan Woodruff (5’11, 175 Sr.) is an All-State type runner. Grayson Chaffin (5’9, 185) gives the Cubs another weapon in the backfield. The quarterback will be junior Jacob Wells (5’10, 165). The best offensive lineman will be senior Ethan Darnell (6’0, 205). Others to watch include WR/ DB Joshua Tucker, DB/WR Sam Shaw, and DB/WR/RB Romeo Dye. 2017 Roundup: The Valley Cubs will be better up front with the return of four offensive lineman that have started. There are seven starters back on an offense that has explosive potential in the ground game. There are five defensive starters returning on a roster of 50 players. Head Coach Frank Tucker lists strengths as the offensive line and great team attitude and work ethic. Tucker says the biggest weakness is having a lot of youth on defense Did You Know? Coach Frank Tucker begins his 11th season at the helm in Alexandria. Since taking over in 2007 Tucker has had winning seasons in 9 of 10 years, earned state playoff bids in 8 of 10 seasons, and is averaging 7 wins per season. 2017 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine | 35