Boot Camp: Farmington seniors ready to lead young, hungry group

FARMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) -- A small senior class with lots of hungry spohomores and juniors.

That's how Farmington coach Toby Vallas describes his football team this fall. He has about 80 players in his program but just three returning starters on offense and four on defense.

That small senior class does include some standout players like linebacker Garrett Perkins, who had 90 tackles last year. The Farmington linebacker group also includes senior Trevor Frye.

Vallas called the summer 'very competitive' for his team as younger players moved into position to grab some starting roles for the 2026 Farmers.

"They are really young, but they really want it," Perkins said of the sophomores and juniors looking for starting jobs. "We have a lot of people competing for positions. We are still figuring some things out. We have people competing every day."

Quarterback Carson Noy had a monster season as a freshman. He threw for over 2,200 yards and tossed 27 touchdown passes last year. He also rushed for a pair of scores in helping the Farmers to an 11-1 record.

Noy, now a sophomore, should have Noah Leming and Brayden Brewer in the backfield giving him some run support too. The Farmers are looking to qualify for the playoffs for an 11th straight season.

"It's nice to have older guys to practice against. But it's nice having young guys that are fresh to come in for reps. Fresh people to play," said senior offensive lineman Andersen Neal. "We are going to be a young team this year, but we are going to build and be just as strong."

The Farmers open the season at Havana on Aug. 21.

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