By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Woodward and Bernstein, Key & Peele, Batman and Robin — successful dynamic duos happen.

This season, Valley Christian is applying the “it takes two” formula to the varsity football team as Jeff Hether and Jomont Ware are sharing head coaching duties.

Both were assistants on the 2016 staff led by Albert Jennings.

“It’s different,” said Hether, who again is in charge of the Eagles’ offense. “We’ve been told we’re the only [head-coaching tandem] in the state.

“It’s not a bad idea — we [already] share everything.”

Ware was assistant head coach in 2016 and will focus on the defense.

“[Athletic director] Dolph [Carroll] came to us,” Ware said of the unusual pairing.

Hether said: “He pretty much said, ‘hey, what do you think about [co-head coaches]?’”

Ware said, “We talk a lot, which is great. We get along — there is no ego battle. We’re in it for one thing — the kids.”

Senior Jamnyk Jackson said the players don’t have a problem with the experiment.

“I didn’t mind it,” the cornerback/wide receiver said of hearing about the plan. “They bring different things.

“Coach Jeff is pretty laid back, he won’t get on you as much as Coach Jomont,” Jackson said. “Two different people and they bring different things to the table.”

Except for Jennings, the staff is pretty much intact from last season.

OFFENSE

The Eagles, who went 2-7 in 2016, have nine players returning with starting experience. The goal will be to get the ball in Jackson’s hands.

“He’s just outstanding,” Hether said. “He did it all last year.”

Jackson returned three punts and a kickoff for touchdowns.

The Eagles will run the spread, often without a huddle.

Jordan Dukes will be a receiver while quarterback Marcus Roman and center David Hatfield will anchor the offense.

Hether said the line featuring tackles Terell Walker and Eric Davis provide plenty of size.

“We have a huge line — that’s big for a school this small,” Hether said. “It’s something we’ve never had here and its going to help the offense a lot.”

DEFENSE

Nine players with starting experience return.

“We’ve got a strong group in the secondary, very smart, played a lot of snaps last year,” Ware said. “Guys up front have experience and they play fast.

“Last year, they had to think about what we were teaching them and then react. Right now, you tell them the play and they’re gone.”

Jordan Trowers and Jaqwon Dow are veteran defensive backs.

“We’re all grown up,” said Trowers, a junior who played as a freshman. “It’s time to take the ball.”

Ware said Trevon Clay, Altwjuan Beck-Lindsey and Jamar Nuby are “pretty solid linebackers — they can fly to the football.”

A newcomer will be junior lineman Blaine Spires who sat out last season after a transfer. The Eagles are switching to a 4-3 from the 3-4.

“We’re so athletic we can pretty much be in any formation and get after it,” Ware said.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Logan Schnabl is the kicker and Jackson is in contention to be the punter.

OUTLOOK

The Eagles have a lot of size up front for a Division VII team and they are experienced.