In 2024 the Bearcats went 5-6 under first year head coach Gary Pence.  I know from living in this area there was a lot of excitement around the program.  The schedule is a little different for 2025 and I see the potential for even more wins.  What does Walton have coming back?  How do you see them finishing in 2025?

17 hours ago, theguru said:

In 2024 the Bearcats went 5-6 under first year head coach Gary Pence.  I know from living in this area there was a lot of excitement around the program.  The schedule is a little different for 2025 and I see the potential for even more wins.  What does Walton have coming back?  How do you see them finishing in 2025?

I am pretty sure by the end of the season Coach Pence and staff were playing quite a few underclassmen, both prepping for the future and due to injuries. Obviously, being in a district with Beechwood is never an easy task but I definitely believe this Walton team will be significantly improved now that they will have an entire off-season with the new staff. 

Walton-Verona was a young team this past year. After a rough start, they won their last 4 regular season games to get to a 5 and 5 record and secured the 3 seed for the playoffs. Which was an improvement from the previous season when they missed the playoffs and won just 4 games. Walton loses two senior starters on the offensive side of the ball, and 3 senior starters on the defensive side of the ball. So Walton will return most of their starters next year, and now will have a full off season with the new staff. 

2 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Walton-Verona was a young team this past year. After a rough start, they won their last 4 regular season games to get to a 5 and 5 record and secured the 3 seed for the playoffs. Which was an improvement from the previous season when they missed the playoffs and won just 4 games. Walton loses two senior starters on the offensive side of the ball, and 3 senior starters on the defensive side of the ball. So Walton will return most of their starters next year, and now will have a full off season with the new staff. 

I like that schedule better too.  Other than the defending 2A State Champs, WV should have a chance in every game. 

I saw WV play last year and they looked like a middle school team.  They will be very young again next season.  I think it’s going to take Coach Pence a few years to get them back to being competitive.  If the administration is patient I think they can get back to being competitive in a few years.

From Walton-Verona Bearcat Football on Facebook.

The Cincinnati Bengals and the new defensive coordinator have now also clearly bought into our oneheartbeat message! Who Dey and Go Bearcats! #oneheartbeat

From Walton-Verona Bearcat Football

Please join us for four fun instructional days at our Walton-Verona Football Camp for incoming grades K-8 May 27th-May 30th. The cost is $75.

Each day we will have a new focal point with specific learning and drills, and then a competition at the end of each day. A few things we will include are some basic fundamental instruction for our younger players just starting out. We will have individual group instruction and drills for both offensive and defensive positions, and speed/agility drills. We will also have fun competitions such as a Punt, Pass, and kick competition. We will conduct a NFL style combine, and will record players 40 times, broad jump, etc. Also flag football/two hand touch football games.

Please Pre-register by filling out this form below. A link to pay will be sent out a few days after you pre-register. All players that pre-register for the full camp will also get a t shirt.

I think that Walton-Verona will be better than last season. Seeing the schedule, I think that they finish above.500 without much trouble.

On 12/13/2024 at 4:54 PM, theguru said:

In 2024 the Bearcats went 5-6 under first year head coach Gary Pence.  I know from living in this area there was a lot of excitement around the program.  The schedule is a little different for 2025 and I see the potential for even more wins.  What does Walton have coming back?  How do you see them finishing in 2025?

Looks like their schedule has been adjusted some. As Newport has been replaced by Boone County. Here is their most recent schedule that was just posted on social media. 
 

 

6 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Looks like their schedule has been adjusted some. As Newport has been replaced by Boone County. Here is their most recent schedule that was just posted on social media. 

When you count the scrimmages look at all those home games.  Fantastic for WV fans. 

1 hour ago, theguru said:

When you count the scrimmages look at all those home games.  Fantastic for WV fans. 

Regular season, 6 home games this year likely means 6 road games next year.

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

Regular season, 6 home games this year likely means 6 road games next year.

 

2 hours ago, theguru said:

When you count the scrimmages look at all those home games.  Fantastic for WV fans. 

Correct. It will be a lot of home games this year for WV, but unfortunately a lot of away games next year.
 

Apparently the scrimmage was supposed to be at Dayton. However, their new field isn’t set to open until that next week. So the scrimmage needed to be moved to WV.  Then Walton-Verona was supposed to play at Newport. However, a scheduling conflict for Newport, led to WV and Boone agreeing to play this week instead. From what I was told both teams already had 5 home games on their schedule for this year before they agreed to play. So they did a coin flip to see who would have to host this year and would be stuck with the 6 home this year, but only 4 home next year. 

Just now, futurecoach said:

 

Correct. It will be a lot of home games this year for WV, but unfortunately a lot of away games next year.
 

Apparently the scrimmage was supposed to be at Dayton. However, their new field isn’t set to open until that next week. So the scrimmage needed to be moved to WV.  Then Walton-Verona was supposed to play at Newport. However, a scheduling conflict for Newport, led to WV and Boone agreeing to play this week instead. From what I was told both teams already had 5 home games on their schedule for this year before they agreed to play. So they did a coin flip to see who would have to host this year and would be stuck with the 6 home this year, but only 4 home next year. 

Which hopefully WV plays better at home this year, with so many home games. Considering they went 0 and 5 at home last year, but 5 and 0 on the road in the regular season. 

17 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Which hopefully WV plays better at home this year, with so many home games. Considering they went 0 and 5 at home last year, but 5 and 0 on the road in the regular season. 

Excited to see year number 2 under Coach Pence and staff. A lot of excitement buzzing around Walton and from what I have seen on social media, the players are working really hard in the weight room.

It’s tough not to feel optimistic heading into Year 2 if you’re Coach Pence! With a full offseason under his belt and a program that’s now built its own identity and culture, the foundation is set. That continuity and buy-in can pay major dividends as the season kicks off.