2026 High School Football Preview

Sto-Rox football: Young Vikings squad looks to get back on track

Antonio Rossetti

August 28, 2026

It wasn’t too long ago when Sto-Rox made back-to-back trips to Acrisure Stadium. The Vikings reached the WPIAL finals in 2019 and 2020 and reached the semifinals in 2021 and 2022. In that time, Sto-Rox collected 40 victories.

However, since then the Vikings have earned just three wins. Last season, the Vikings ended a grueling 16-game losing streak defeating Carlynton 8-6. They finished 1-9 last season.

This time around, the Vikings are returning a majority of their players from last season. Athletic Director Shomari Phelps will be stepping in as acting head coach this season.

“We’ve been progressing and getting better each day,” Phelps said. “I think we’ve gotten better since day one, and our numbers have grown each week.”

Phelps added that Sto-Rox will have a little over 30 players when ball is kicked off for the first time at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, against Cornell at Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School Stadium.

Karic Wills will get reps at the quarterback position. Last year, the Vikings suffered a major blow early in the season when starter Dalaun Harris was lost to injury against South Side Beaver. Harris is no longer at Sto-Rox.

Phelps said that skill position wise, the Vikings are stacked. Senior Ramir Valentino will start at running back. Phelps said he expects big things from Valentino as he was their starting back last season. Khalil Jennings also will take snaps at running back. 

At wide receiver, Raymond Mason, Khalil Jennings and Naishawn Hines will be the main targets and Ronnie Woodson also will play receiver as well as linebacker.

Phelps said that a lot of the players will contribute on both sides of the ball.

Sto-Rox returns everybody on their line, except Anthony Arndt, who graduated last season. Phelps said Zachary Lewis and Julian Arrington are players to look out for on the O-line and on the D-line, as they are expected to make an impact.

Physically speaking, the Vikings are much stronger than a season ago.

“I’ve challenged them every day in the weight room,” Phelps said of the line. “We’ve been doing a lot of plyometrics, isometrics and just working to get stronger. I told them I was going to challenge them, and they responded. We started lifting around April, and our numbers have continued to grow every month. Strength-wise, we’re definitely more athletic and stronger going into this season.”

As for player leadership, Wills, Arrington, Lewis and Garridon Cercone have stepped-up.

“Those are the guys who show up every day, show up on time and push the rest of the group,” Phelps said. “They’ve done a great job.”

Phelps, ultimately, wants to bring Sto-Rox success in sports back. He said it’s an honor to be the athletic director.

“As athletic director, we’ve been trying to bring traditions back and make improvements to our facilities,” Phelps said. “We’re trying to make this a great place for our kids. You hear all the stories about the great years here, so it’s an honor to have the opportunity to coach this program.”

The Vikings have quite the history with two WPIAL titles in football, 10 title game appearances, and a 329-273-9 all-time record.

“Football is a staple in the Sto-Rox community,” Phelps said. “Basketball is also a big part of our community, and sports bring everyone together,” Phelps said. “It’s imperative for our football program to get back on track so we can bring kids back who live in our district and make them feel good about staying at Sto-Rox. It’s time for us to get back on track.”

In basketball, the girls team took home the WPIAL title in 2009, and the boys team has earned nine WPIAL titles. The softball team won 10 WPIAL titles under coach Bill Palermo.

Phelps said he is motivated to lead the Vikings as acting head coach and bring the sports success back. He said the players hear the noise and the negativity, but he and the team want to make an impact. 

“We owe it to them to show up every day and work just as hard as we’re asking them to work,” Phelps said of his players. “Since I’ve gotten to Sto-Rox, I’ve been on go for those kids because I know what they hear and what they deal with in the community.”

Phelps is keeping it simple.

“There’s only one way to do it, and that’s the right way,” Phelps said. “We’ve got to do the right things on and off the field. We can’t cut corners or do things halfway. We have to do things the right way.”

Overall, Phelps has already seen growth from the Vikings. He is excited to see them on the field.

“I expect some of these guys to really grow this season and have good years,” Phelps said. “I believe in all of their talent, and I believe in all of the work they’ve been putting in. Our expectations for Sto-Rox football are very high.”