Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
BAINBRIDGE — Ultimately, Paint Valley’s football program fell short of accomplishing one of its main goals last fall.
Make no mistake, the Bearcats had a great season.
Eight wins, yet another playoff appearance and a win in Week 11 is something that tons of programs around the state would settle for.
But the Bearcats don’t settle. There’s a standard of success in Bainbridge and it includes winning a Scioto Valley Conference championship.
“I think a big part of our success is the rich football history,” quarterback Preston Fauber said. “As a kid, everyone grows up watching the games and just can’t wait to be out there playing on the field. Then, it trickles down to the coaching staff. They put in countless hours into this program.”
CREDIT: Marissa Spradlin/SOSA
Paint Valley hasn’t won an SVC title since 2018. So to say that ending that drought is at the top of its to-do list this coming season? Well, that’s an understatement.
“We know, as a team, that we need to do more,” Fauber said. “Last year was outstanding. But we want more. The team has bought into the system the coaches have created and we see it every day at practice. We’re getting better and better.”
Fauber played a key role in the team’s eight-win, playoff-bound season.
The sophomore threw for 1,042 yards, rushed for another 936 and had a hand in 22 total touchdowns — 12 passing and 10 on the ground.
Because of those numbers, the Bearcats’ offense posted significant scoring outbursts. They ended the season averaging 41.6 points per game, a top mark in the SVC.
But Fauber credits his individual success to both his teammates and the offensive line.
“None of my success would be possible without the guys around me,” Fauber said. “With Braylon [Robertson] in the backfield, we have an unstoppable guy we can feed the ball to. With our receivers, we have guys who want to win and go after every ball like it’s theirs to catch. If I make a bad throw, those guys fight to adjust and make a catch, which is amazing. That can’t be taught and it’s a mindset they have.
“An offensive line like our team had last year is very special,” he said. “The line we have this year is big, strong and very physical. I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to do the dirty work in the trenches.”
With Fauber back under center and an array of the weapons — including Robertson, who rushed for 1,850 yards and 28 touchdowns — around him back in the fold, many believe that PV is the early favorite to win a conference crown.
Usually, that distinction comes with pressure.
But Fauber and company aren’t feeling any of that. Instead, they’re more focused than ever on the task at hand because they know just how special their team can be.
“We were very close last year and we fell short,” Fauber said. “Even though we’re seen as favorites, we’re coming into this year with a chip on our shoulder, knowing what we could have done last year. This year is a different squad and we are coming to win it all. We’re not stopping for any obstacle that may get in our way.”
After a 37-23 win over Rockford Parkway in the first round of the 2023 postseason, Paint Valley’s season ended with a hard-fought 26-14 loss to Cincinnati Country Day.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
This year, the Bearcats are trying to avenge that Week 12 loss … and then some.
They’ll start their journey on Aug. 23 with a trip to Blanchester. Then, it’s a home date against West Jefferson before going to McClain to finish their non-league slate.
Those are just the first three dates in what Fauber hopes to be a historical season in the books.
“Our goals are to win the Gold Ball and make it to Canton for the state championship,” Fauber said. “I’d expect a hard-nosed, physical team that you’re gonna feel you played for days after the game.”
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