There is a sense around Pleasant Valley that the Bears have been building toward this season.

A senior class that has grown together is back for one more run. Considerable offensive production returns, much of an experienced defense is intact, and a coaching staff that has been together for several years provides continuity.

For head coach Blaec Saeger, entering his eighth season at Pleasant Valley, there is plenty to like.

“We expect to be pretty good,” Saeger said. “We expect to compete in the North again and compete for the district.”

Pleasant Valley took a significant step forward last fall, finishing 5-6, going 4-1 against EPC North opponents during the regular season and qualifying for the District 11 Class 5A playoffs.

Now the Bears want to build on it.

“I think these seniors want to take it a step further,” Saeger said. “That’s the goal. That’s the plan.

“We’re not the rebuilding year we were two years ago. We’re kind of built a little bit for this year.”

Several members of that senior class were pressed into significant varsity roles as sophomores during a difficult 2024 season. They helped Pleasant Valley make a five-win improvement last fall, and Saeger believes those experiences have helped shape the group entering this season.

“I’ll attribute that mostly to the seniors,” he said. “They were not happy with their junior year obviously, and wanted it to be different.”

Pleasant Valley should have plenty of ways to move the football.

The Bears remain committed to an option-based attack that emphasizes the running game and distributes touches among several players. They rushed for 2,015 yards last season, with senior Chris Ward leading the returning group.

Ward carried 73 times for 577 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. He also caught 20 passes for 217 yards and two scores and finished with 11 total touchdowns.

Saeger expects Ward’s workload to increase, but doesn’t envision an offense revolving around just one player.

“I like to spread the ball around,” Saeger said. “The option spreads the ball around. We will not be a one-man show.

“Chris will get more carries than he had last year, but I don’t see it being a ‘Chris gets the ball 30 times and everybody else gets the ball three.’ We have plenty of guys to move the ball around.”

Senior Jacob George returns at fullback after rushing for 235 yards last season, while junior Sean Cobb provides speed and junior Gavin Dorshimer offers versatility at wing and wide receiver. Senior William Breuer, a 6-foot-5 target who caught 19 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, also returns.

“They all have different attributes, which is nice,” Saeger said. “Jake’s a big bull. Chris has a little bit of everything. Sean’s our speed guy. Will’s our pass catcher. Gavin can do everything.”

Exactly who directs the offense remains unsettled.

Senior Brandt Wines, junior Maximus Vasquez and sophomore Cameron Ward all entered camp competing for the quarterback job.

“It’s a nice problem to have,” Saeger said. “All three have worked their tails off, and they all have different attributes that they can bring to the table.”

The Bears also must replace four starters on the offensive line, where senior Collin O’Neil returns as the lone holdover.

Saeger believes O’Neil is ready to anchor the rebuilt unit.

“He’s by far our biggest, and has just an enormous amount of potential,” Saeger said. “He started to reach it last year, and I expect him to have a tremendous senior year.”

There is more experience on defense.

Ward, George and senior Nate Tyner all return at linebacker, while both Cobb and Breuer are back at cornerback. O’Neil provides experience up front, while Dorshimer saw time in the secondary last season.

Saeger is also encouraged by a sophomore class he called the best he has had during his eight seasons at Pleasant Valley. Offensive lineman Colby Campbell is among those competing for a significant role, while defensive lineman Storm Anoa’i has impressed the coaching staff.

That combination of youth and experience gives the Bears depth despite a roster of roughly 42 players.

“We have a pretty deep group for only 42 kids on our roster,” Saeger said.

There is continuity beyond the roster.

Much of Saeger’s coaching staff has remained together for several years, while former Pleasant Valley players have begun returning to coach in the program. For Saeger, that familiarity has helped create an established identity and expectations throughout the program.

“The coaches know each other. The kids know us. They know what to expect,” Saeger said. “That’s very important.”

The current seniors have grown within that environment and alongside each other, many dating back to their youth football days.

They’ve already helped Pleasant Valley take one significant step forward.

Now they have one more season together to see how far they can take it.

“We’ve been through it together for a while now,” Saeger said. “We just have a great group of kids. There’s no issue. There’s no drama. They’re here to play football.

“I believe we’re in an upswing.”

POSITION BREAKDOWN

QUARTERBACKS

PV enters the season with a three-way competition between senior Brandt Wines, junior Maximus Vasquez and sophomore Cameron Ward. All three bring different attributes to the position. Wines saw limited varsity action at QB last season.

RUNNING BACKS

The Bears will spread the ball around in their option attack, with senior Chris Ward leading the returning group. Ward rushed for 577 yards and eight TDs last year, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. Senior Jacob George returns at fullback after adding 235 yards on 61 carries. Junior Sean Cobb provides speed, while junior Gavin Dorshimer is another versatile option who can work out of the wing.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Senior William Breuer gives the Bears an experienced target after catching 19 passes for 215 yards last season. Breuer is a willing blocker in PV’s run-heavy attack. Dorshimer is expected to work into the mix at wing and wide receiver, while Ward led PV with 20 receptions for 217 yards a year ago.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Senior Collin O’Neil is the lone returning starter and will anchor a unit replacing four starters. O’Neil and junior Anthony Salvi are expected to man the tackle spots, while sophomore Colby Campbell is a leading candidate at guard. Seniors Nick Colella and Gavin Bates are also in the guard mix. Senior Sam Deemer and junior Tyler Rudelitch will be at center.

DEFENSIVE LINE

O’Neil brings experience up front, with Salvi, Bates and junior Cole Vanderah expected to contribute. Sophomore Storm Anoa’i has impressed the staff and should be part of the rotation. Anoa’i could develop into an impact player.

LINEBACKERS

Experience is a strength with Ward, George and senior Nate Tyner all returning. Ward and George were TN All-Starsa year ago, while Tyner brings varsity experience. Senior Tyler F. Brown is expected to step into a larger role.

SECONDARY

Cobb and Breuer return at cornerback, giving the Bears experience outside. Dorshimer is expected to step into one safety spot after seeing time in the secondary last season. Vasquez and senior Tyler C. Brown are competing for the other safety position.