On one hand, the Bears finished with a winning record (6-5) and defeated Governor Mifflin in dramatic fashion for the Eastern Conference Class 5A/6A title game, scoring 28 straight points after being down by 19 points to secure the victory.
On the other hand, Pleasant Valley controlled its own destiny entering the final week of the regular season, but a loss to Stroudsburg and an East Stroudsburg South win over East Stroudsburg North allowed the Cavaliers to leapfrog the Bears in the District 11 5A standings, taking the final district playoff spot in the process.
Remaining positive can be a challenge when the playoffs were in reach, but head coach Blaec Saeger was positive about last year's finish, and he sees similarities with this year's group.
"I was very proud of last year's group because nothing was expected of them," Saeger said. "We were picked to finish below a few schools that we ended up beating. On paper going into the season, we were a 3-7 team that ended up winning six games, and some would say that this year's group belongs in the same realm.
"When you replace as many kids as we are, there's gonna be some growing pains, but I learned last year that anything's possible. I wouldn't count these kids out. They are a tough group."
The Bears graduated 10 starters from both offense and defense, including fullback and linebacker Alexander Ecker, and quarterback Valentino Byers-Robinson. A lot of players will be getting varsity snaps for the first time in 2024, and Saeger has challenged his senior leadership to help lead the youth movement that's taking place in Brodheadsville.
Even though Pleasant Valley will be more inexperienced than usual, Saeger said the roster is "a little faster and more athletic" than he's had in previous years. From his perspective, it simply comes down to getting as many reps as possible, which is key for any team, but especially one that runs an uncommon offense for modern times like the triple option.
Still, an integral part to any offensive scheme is the offensive line, where Pleasant Valley's only returning starter on offense is senior left tackle and EPC North Division All-Star Nick Marsh.
"A lot of the young guys do come to me for questions, and I walk them through things," Marsh said. "But honestly, a lot of them got it already. They've been working all offseason. Our attendance has been great. We had about 30-40 strong every day since January."
Marsh will be pulling double duty as starting left tackle and defensive end, and Saeger has high hopes for him when it comes to leading the trenches, especially on offense.
"I expect huge things from Marsh this year, he's our anchor on the line," Saeger said. "Our right tackle Mike La Fiura did see some time last year, and the three in the middle are either young and inexperienced, or in the case of our senior center, had to wait their turn. But all five of them are hungry to play. We actually have a little more size than usual - we're bigger, stronger, faster than we typically are."
The rest of the offense is also taking shape with new faces at all three positions of the triple option. The nature of the offense allows the quarterback, fullback or wing to be a threat, but the signs point to the fullback being the focus again this year, with senior Aiden Lollis being the frontrunner.
"I've watched film from Ecker last year, seeing what he did right and wrong along with what I did right or wrong to see what I can work on," Lollis said about preparing for this season. "I also learned from Fela Olaniyan, who was the fullback my sophomore year. So I'm just learning from what the guys before me did."
Isaac Westerman, a junior, will see time at fullback as well. At quarterback, it's a battle between senior Dan Baker and junior Jackson Haynes, where the winner will succeed Byers-Robinson, who was a two-year starter. The wing position is the most contested: Saeger said as many as six guys are competing, and he plans to narrow it down to a three-man rotation. And the defensive side of the ball is loaded with position battles as Marsh and Lollis are the only returners.
Pleasant Valley might not be considered favorites, but inside the program, the underdog label is something they embrace and relish in, a sign of internal belief in their work ethic.
"I love being the underdog," Marsh said. "The last two years I've played varsity, we lose guys, and they say we aren't going to be anything. But sophomore year we were 7-3, and junior year we were 6-5 with an Eastern Conference championship.
"I love being looked at as the underdog because it feels even better if you get to win."
Pleasant Valley Bears 2024 football schedule
Pleasant Valley will open up the season with a rematch against Governor Mifflin on Aug. 23. The Bears' first home game will be Sept. 6 against Exeter Township.
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