2017 Spring Valley Football Capsule

SPRING VALLEY

League: Class 4A Southwest

Head coach: Marcus Teal, eighth season (29-37)

2016 record: 4-6 (3-3 Southwest League, fourth)

Returning lettermen: 13

Returning starters: Six offense, four defense

Base offensive set: Multiple sets (pistol)

Base defensive set: 3-4

Top offensive players: QB Sylo Staton (Sr.); RB Kevin Benoza (Sr.); WR Marquelle Diggs (Sr.); RB/WR Kash Jenkins (Sr.)

Top defensive players: LB Clark Genneken (Sr.); DE Joseph Pienta (Sr.)

Key losses: QB K.C. Moore; TE/DE Noah Williams; DB Tavion Smith; WR Josh Arredondo; OL Nathan Hunt

Outlook: Teal expects the offense to carry the Grizzlies this season as the team looks to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.

Staton, who played at Canyon Springs as a sophomore, should be the key in leading the offense. Moore carried the team offensively last season, passing for 2,012 yards and 18 TDs and rushing for 505 yards and five scores.

Diggs (33 catches, 527 yards, seven TDs) was the team’s leading receiver last season, and should be the Staton’s top target along with Jenkins (16 catches, 264 yards).

Benoza (246 yards) is the top returning rusher.

Genneken was third on the team with 51 tackles last season.

“The Grizz offense will be turned over to newcomer Sylo Staton, and he will try to continue the Grizzly tradition of being a playoff team,” Teal said.