THE PLAINS — The story of Athens football is currently being written for the 2024 season. A few good passages could hover around the idea of response & resiliency.
The Bulldogs have certainly responded early in the 2024 season, currently sitting undefeated at 4-0 after an offseason’s worth of expectation and excitement. Now, Athens has the chance to display the program’s resiliency while also being gifted the opportunity to exercise some demons of the past.
Going in banged-up and potentially missing their most potent offensive piece, the Bulldogs will certainly have a challenge this week at Joe Burrow Stadium when Vinton County comes into town.
Going up against the reigning Tri-Valley Conference-Ohio champions, it is yet to be seen whether Athens will be without star running back Alex Pero. The stout senior back sustained a leg injury on the very first offensive snap in the team’s 47-0 victory over Alexander this past week and did not return.
While Athens has depth at the running back spot and the team has shown to have multiple weapons all over the field, it’ll undoubtedly be a massive blow if Pero is out for an extended amount of time. The timing isn’t exactly great either with the Bulldogs trying to make peace with demons of the past.
Despite the Vikings looking massively different this year in terms of personnel and sitting at just 1-3 on the young season, Vinton County is still not a team to overlook by any means. Including a 35-13 loss to the team last season, Athens has lost four straight matchups with the Vikings.
The Bulldogs last won the matchup between the two back in 2019 with a 33-28 victory. Joey Moore had five touchdowns in that game half a decade ago.
Despite the worries surrounding Pero and his status, Athens should be excited to see what the rest of the offense can do to pick up the slack. Stepping up in his place, sophomore Westin Wheatley impressed in the shutout victory over Alexander last week with three touchdowns. The Bulldogs’ other stars like Braeden Young, Leo Martin and Anthony Sutton are still more than capable to take over and win games.
Vinton County started off the season 0-3 in a rough stretch for the Vikings but bounced back in the opening to divisional play. The team decimated Meigs 49-17 at home to at least build some momentum heading into this week’s tilt.
Injuries and other worries aside, Athens is still in prime position to make a run at the TVC-Ohio crown. Trying to break a winless streak against Vinton County, the Bulldogs are set to try and make another emphatic statement at home this Friday night.
Local News
Comments / 0