Valley sophomore Roman D’Argon ready to step up on defensive line

By: Bill Hartlep
Thursday, August 22, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Demetrius Ballard left quite a void in the Valley defensive front and not just because he is 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds.

The 2024 graduate was a first-team all-conference defensive lineman who had 90 tackles and 15 sacks in earning Allegheny 6 Conference defensive MVP honors before heading off to play defensive end at the University at Buffalo.

That production won’t be easy to replace, but coach Mark Adams has been pleased with the efforts of a young underclassman willing to step into the role.

Sophomore Roman D’Argon has skills beyond his years, according to Adams, and is taking all the necessary steps to be an impact player for the Vikings.

“This kid is going to be lights out. I look for him in two years to be a Division I athlete,” Adams said of D’Argon, who will play defensive end and right guard.

“He’s strong. He’s fast. He’s knowledgeable. He’s doing some good things already for us. I like him.”

D’Argon learned from Ballard last season, paying close attention to his technique and dedication to improving in all facets of the game.

“I learned a lot about leverage, about when you are dealing with people leaning on you,” D’Argon said. “He had a lot of people leaning on him because the only real way to block him was to try and hold him. Just use your weight and hands. He was good at that.”

D’Argon said Ballard set an example for the rest of the Vikings to follow, knowing that with hard work and dedication, they too can pursue opportunities at the next level.

“I told all my teammates, ‘We’ve got to be like Meech,’” said D’Argon, who also plays basketball and baseball for the Vikings. “Try to get to college. But he worked hard, so you’ve got to work hard.”

D’Argon will be tested in the trenches in the Allegheny 7 Conference, especially in rivalry matchups with Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport and Highlands.

Valley allowed 30.8 points per game last season en route to a 2-8 overall record and 0-5 mark in conference play. Those numbers have to improve for the Vikings to have success, D’Argon said.

“I want to have some stifling defense,” he said. “We’ve got to be out there not letting people score no sort of touchdowns, making them think they come in here and just say, ‘Oh no, I don’t want (to face) Valley on defense.’

“You’ve got to have the mentality to want to come in here and eat. But you also have to do it every day. You’ve got to show you gotta eat.”

In addition to D’Argon, the Valley defense will be led by Jaden Wall at linebacker, Coury Pitts at safety and Derek Hassim and Zayaan Ferron at defensive back.

“We’re trying to not let teams score any points,” D’Argon said. “We’re looking to shut out Burrell and all the offenses that think they’re good.”

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

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