Ark Valley News - Fall sports season underway

Parker Schrater throws to a receiver during the first day of practice Aug. 13.

Fall sports season underway
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: August 15, 2018

Valley Center High School fall sports teams started practice this week.

Three teams have new head coaches.

Scott L'Ecuyer, who is starting is first year as head coach of the football team, welcomed over 90 student-athletes to practice.

L'Ecuyer, a 2000 VCHS graduate who was the team's offensive coordinator the past two seasons, said he's excited about the team's progress so far this season.

"We had a pretty good turnout this summer, so it's comforting knowing that they're showing up and doing the things they need to do to get better," he said.

L'Ecuyer took over from Caleb Smith, who is the school's athletic director.

During the first week of practice, there were 24 seniors, 19 to 21 juniors, 21 sophomores and 28 to 30 freshmen.

The Hornets are coming off seasons of 5-4 and 9-2.

Valley Center has several returning starters on offense, including senior quarterback Parker Schrater, senior running back Larry Wilson and the entire offensive line, but the Hornets will be looking for a nearly whole new defense, with just three returning starters.

The Hornets will start the season with two road games — at Maize Aug. 31 and at Garden City Sept. 7 — before its first home game on Sept. 14 against Maize South.

The rest of the schedule is at Andover Central Sept. 20, home against Andover Sept. 28, home against Goddard Oct. 5, at Ark City Oct. 12 and home against Goddard Eisenhower Oct. 19. The state Round of 32 game will be Oct. 26.

"People are always going to judge a football program based on its wins and losses," L'Ecuyer said. "Certainly as coaches, we're going to work hard to do that. … I'm here because old coach (Mike) Smith was transformational in my life. I want my staff and the football playing experience, the program, to have a transformational impact on the young men that we have. We'll be judged at the end of the season by what our win-loss record is. But I think our success will ultimately be measured 20 years from now by the kind of young men these guys become — community leaders, good fathers, good husbands."

Other new head coaches at Valley Center High School this fall are Chris Edwards with the girls' golf team and Melissa Segovia with the volleyball team.