Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Grand Valley quarterback Sammy Goforth rolls out of the pocket during a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage against Champion at Lakeview High School.

ORWELL — Like plenty of other teams in the area, Grand Valley comes into 2023 with a younger roster, one that hopes to build on lessons learned last fall.

Despite the 2-8 record posted in 2022, the Mustangs and coach Clint Nims believe they have the potential to take the next step.

“The number one thing is that it’s all about effort. We have to be able to play full speed, one hundred percent, every single play of the game,” Nims said. “Do it from the very beginning of the game to the very end. ‘Finishing.’ That’s been one of our mantras is finishing the drill, finish the play, finish the game. Every single session we have, we have to be able to finish.”

With a smaller team, keeping players fresh and building depth always becomes a point of emphasis, so conditioning and being in game shape is another point of focus for the Mustangs.

“We have to train to be able to play a whole game, that’s number one,” Nims said. “All of our training sessions, we got to able to finish the drills and be able to go the whole time. We’re really counting on that as a way to get us over the hump and through some of these games.”

Last posting a winning record in 2018, the road to the postseason isn’t made any easier for Grand Valley this season as powerhouse Kirtland has joined the Chagrin Valley Conference.

“Our goal is always to compete in our conference,” Nims said. “Kirtland is the model program. They’re the same size as us and we expect to be in the game with them, and then make the playoffs and make a run in the playoffs, that’s always our goal.

“We open up with Conneaut. They bring a lot of guys back. They lost their running back, but they return a lot of their guys, and then we go to Edgewood and then Pymatuning Valley, so we expect to come in those games and hopefully our young guys get some growing pains out of the way and then we show up and play.”

OFFENSE

Junior Sammy Goforth (5-11, 150 pounds) has some varsity experience under center, and is the front runner heading into the fall for the quarterback position. Sophomore Mason Kocab and freshman Carter Turk eye the backup roles.

“Sammy had some spot time for us when Nate Boisrski got hurt a little bit, and then he actually ended up breaking his collar bone,” Nims said. “So there was a game where we were down to our third string guy. He’s poised, he’s been awesome with his leadership for us, and he’s ready to take the reins for us.

“Both (Kocab and Turk) are good leaders as well, but he’s been doing a good job of being vocal and taking charge. He’s always like a senior leader for us.”

One of the biggest names on the field is senior all-state wideout Robert Rogers, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver who was also a state qualifier for the long and high jump.

“Robert has great hips, he’s very good at jumping as well. He runs great routes. He just has an extra gear that other guys don’t have.” Nims said.

Joining Rogers is fellow senior Jerry Schultz (6-4, 180 pounds). He’s coming out to play football for the first time in his varsity career as a standout basketball player. Senior Aidan Baker (5-7, 150 pounds) will also take on a key role.

“We just have to limit his role, do things he excels at,” Nims said. “He’s a big tall kid, that’s a very good basketball player, he does a good job rebounding, so we’ll limit him to things we know he can do. As a coach, this is a game we love, and it’s great to see new guys come out, and share that love with those guys and hope they fall in love with it too.”

It’s a platoon at running back, starting with seniors Kam Cottrell and Connor Sullivan, along with juniors Braden Hart and John Foss-Peters.

“Kam is a tough kid, he does everything right. Everything you ask him to do, he does it, no complaints. Sometimes you wish he’d be a little bit more vocal, but he’s one of the toughest kids I’ve been around,” Nims said. “Sullivan has been working hard for us in the offseason, doing some things for us.”

The offensive line will be a greener group, but they do bring back two starters as sophomores in Austin Miller (6-0, 290 pounds) and Blake Taylor (6-0, 205 pounds). Adding into the mix is Max Thirion (6-0, 240 pounds) as a freshman.

“We’re going to be young, but they’re going to be very good.” Nims added. “Both of (Miller and Taylor) are very good leaders for us.”

DEFENSE

Senior Trevor Mullen (5-11, 230 pounds), juniors Nick Krieg (6-3, 180 pounds), David Utt (5-6, 175 pounds) and sophomore Kyle Mullet (5-9, 165 pounds) will lead the defensive line unit.

“They have to be able to get in the back field and find where the ball is,” Nims said.

At linebackers, you’ll see junior Andrew Soltis (5-11, 160 pounds), alongside Sullivan, Cottrell, and Hart.

“Andrew has a motor, he only knows one speed,” Nims said. “He isn’t afraid to be physical, he’s long and wiry, and he’s a tough kid.”

Senior Hunter Hayes (5-10, 150 pounds) helps guide a secondary group with Rogers, Baker, and Foss-Peters.

“That’s what you want on defense. The more speed that you can get out onto the field, the better you’re going to be on defense,” Nims said. “We think we have some guys that can run to the football and make some plays for us.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Sophomore Lane Gallagher (5-7, 140 pounds) and Rogers will return punts and kickoffs.

2023 Schedule

Aug. 17 at Conneaut 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 at Edgewood 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 at Pymatuning Valley 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Beachwood 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Wickliffe 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Kirtland* 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Harvey* 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Cardinal* 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Berkshire* 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 vs. Crestwood* 7 p.m.

*Conference game

2022 Results (2-8)

at Jefferson Area (11-4) L 27-66

vs. Edgewood (6-5) L 13-20

vs. Pymatuning Valley (4-7) W 27-6

vs. Berkshire (7-4) L 36-49

at Hawken (8-3) L 28-62

vs. Harvey (5-5) L 0-42

vs. Cardinal (5-6) L 13-34

vs. Rootstown (7-4) L 13-27

at Crestwood (4-6) L 21-27

at Beachwood (2-8) W 20-14

Coaching staff

Head coach: Clinton Nims, 5th season, 4-33 record

Staff: Frank Hall, Russ Bell, Michael McGovern, Jay Yuhasz, Davey Rowland, Dave Oscar, Jeremy Graham

Team facts

Division VI, Region 21

Chagrin Valley Conference

Players on roster: 38

Returning letterwinners (15): Sammy Goforth, Hunter Hayes, Robert Rogers, Kamden Cottrell, John Foss-Peters, Blake Taylor, Nick Krieg, Aidan Baker, Conner Sullivan, Andrew Soltis, Tanner Lee, Trevor Mullen, David Utt, Kyle Mullet, Austin Miller

2022 season: Grand Valley’s 2022 was a rough one, as they lost all but two games. The Mustangs were able to earn a victory over Pymatuning Valley and ended the season on a high note by taking down Edgewood in their regular season finale 20-14.