It’s a new day for the Valley Central Vikings, who are entering the 2026 football season with a new coach and a new attitude.
Former Pine Bush assistant coach Kyle Schneider was appointed as the Vikings’ head coach in May, replacing Scott Rumsey, who led the Vikings for the past two seasons.

With all that change, the Vikings were excited to officially start training camp last week.

“It was glorious,” running back and linebacker Jason Montgomery said. “With Coach Schneider coming in and a lot of our other coaches stepping up in ways that we haven’t seen them step up before. I think that all comes from that new leader coming in and really setting the stage. He doesn’t let the little things go, and he’s not overly rude or mean about it. He sets these expectations and we’re going to meet them. There’s no exceptions.”

The Vikings looking to build on last year’s playoff appearance and establish a new culture under Schneider.

The Vikings went 2-8 overall last season and finished 2-4 in Section IX-AA league play. Schneider has nine previous seasons of experience as an assistant coach.

“I am very excited for the opportunity,” Schneider said. “I hope to change the culture here and put the players in the best positions possible to be successful.”

The Vikings, however, are not leaning on last year’s playoff appearance. They want to improve their regular season record.

“I think a good record shows more than just making it into the playoffs,” Collin Bishop said. “If you make into the playoffs, so what if you don’t go through the playoffs. You just end one game in, and you get an extra game that you would have gotten anyway, even if it was just an exhibition.”

Valley Central will have to replace four key contributors from last season: Logan McKenna at running back and linebacker, Keirnan Bresnick at outside linebacker and tight end, Ryan Santos at wide receiver and cornerback, and Michael Phillips at center and defensive line.

The Vikings do return several players expected to play important roles.

Collin Bishop returns at defensive end and offensive tackle, while Michael Giannoni is back at linebacker and guard. Triston Wright returns at wide receiver and cornerback, and Armany Tavarez is back at safety and wide receiver.

Cole DeRonda also returns at tight end and linebacker, while Jason Montgomery is expected to contribute at running back and linebacker.

Schneider said Valley Central’s senior class will be an important part of the team’s efforts to turn the program around.

“We have a great senior class, so I am hoping this season can be the start of something special at Valley Central for years to come,” he said.

The Vikings’ goals are straightforward: compete on a weekly basis, finish above .500, return to the playoffs and ultimately compete for a Section IX championship.
They know how hard it will be to change the culture around Vikings football.

“Every year that we say we’re going to do better and then we don’t perform, it makes it that much harder,” Montgomery said. “People are like, ‘it’s the boy who cried wolf. They always say they’re going to do good. They always say we’re feeling better this year and then nothing happens. This year, we’re not going to even talk about it. We’re not going to say a word. We’re just going to show that we’re better.”