GAMEFACE 2026: Williams Valley Vikings
· Yahoo Sports
A new era of Williams Valley football begins under head coach Frank Gaffney, who steps in as the Vikings undergo a major program overhaul.
Replacing a star-studded senior class led by dual-threat quarterback Brady Shomper and receiver Evan Achenbach won’t be easy — especially with powerhouses Southern Columbia and North Schuylkill coming to Williamstown in Weeks 2 and 3.
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With a full-scale youth movement underway, Williams Valley expects at least a half-dozen sophomores to step into starting roles this fall.
One of those sophomore starters will be under center, where Cayden Witmer takes over at quarterback following a summer position battle.
While the quarterback position was a question heading into fall camp, the Vikings knew exactly who their top running back and wide receiver were.
Junior Fletcher Thompson is one of the most versatile players in the Schuylkill League. Last fall, he gained over 2,000 yards from scrimmage with 190 carries for 1,839 yards and 22 touchdowns, plus 20 receptions for 500 yards and six additional scores. Throughout his first two seasons, Thompson has totaled 4,225 all-purpose yards, an average of 150.9 yards per game.
At wide receiver, the towering Colin Crisswell replaces Achenbach. Crisswell, a senior listed at 6-foot-3, broke out in 2025 with 19 receptions for 398 yards and eight scores. In the District 11 championship game against Schuylkill Haven, Crisswell had a season-high 81 yards on three receptions and scored the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute remaining.
The key for Williams Valley, however, will be its offensive line coming together early in the season.
The line will be anchored by senior Camron Green, junior Koen Zilinski, and sophomore Gavin Trawitz. Looking to bring some athleticism to the position, junior Ty’Shaun Bair has moved to center after spending last season at linebacker.
As a whole, Gaffney isn’t going to stray too far from what has worked for Williams Valley the past few seasons.
“You’re going to see a lot of traditional Williams Valley style sets, with wrinkles of things that I’ve previously done,” he said. “Our philosophy is: let’s get the ball to our best players, every play. And how we do that is finding our mismatches.”
Gaffney is especially excited about senior Trevon Bair, both as a producer and a leader.
Last fall, Bair made the most of each of his touches, totaling 475 yards and seven scores on just 59 carries.
“Trevon hasn’t missed a day. He’s our vocal leader. When he speaks, it gets quiet,” Gaffney said. “Great kid, hard worker, tough, blue-collar. Just a great kid to coach.”
Gaffney is also looking forward to taking over a Williams Valley defense that only allowed 16.5 points per game a season ago.
“I think the exciting part for the program right now is that defensively we’re bringing that style of high electric defense to a school that historically has had solid defensive systems,” he said. “My defense has always been built around putting athletes in positions to make plays, mass turnovers. What’s the turnover margin and putting these kids and these athletes on the field. It’s probably what I’m the most excited about.”
Key defensive players for the Vikings include Thompson and Bair. Bair last season was among the Schuylkill League’s best defenders with 119 tackles. Thompson finished with 98.
Also returning this fall is two-way lineman Camron Green, who recorded 92 tackles last season, along with sophomore Cole Hubler, who logged 79 tackles.
Huddle Up
Head Coach: Frank Gaffney
League: Schuylkill, Division II
Last Season: 12-2 Overall, 8-1 League
Male Enrollment: 101, Class A
Home Field: Viking Stadium
2026 Schedule
Aug. 28 at Upper Dauphin
Sept. 5 Southern Columbia
Sept. 11 at North Schuylkill
Sept. 18 at Nativity BVM
Sept. 26 Mahanoy Area
Oct. 2 at Schuylkill Haven
Oct. 9 at Minersville
Oct. 16 Marian Catholic
Oct. 23 at Shenandoah Valley
Oct. 30 Tri-Valley
2025 Results
Upper Dauphin W 54-0
Mahanoy Area W 42-0
Nativity BVM W 49-0
Minersville W 43-40
Tri-Valley W 14-7
Schuylkill Haven L 43-29
Panther Valley W 35-14
Marian Catholic W 56-10
Shenandoah Valley W 55-6
Pine Grove W 62-0
Executive Education* W 42-13
Minersville* W 56-35
Schuylkill Haven* W 34-31
Lansdale Catholic* L 33-7
(* denotes playoff game)