Vikings ready for gridiron action
Welcome back loyal fans for another season of Viking football. It is hard to believe that those Friday nights are here again. I think we are all ready to see those maroon jerseys return to the field to lead us into what is going to be another season of Viking football.
The question on everyone‘s mind is what to expect this season, and the one with all the answers is the Viking’s head coach Terry Anderson.
"For this year’s season it is important for us to get off to a good start,” Anderson stated. “That doesn’t necessarily mean a certain number of wins in the first few games. We have to play with intensity and not make mistakes."
The Viking’s game will be much as it was last year. Their offensive philosophy will stay the same as it was and for their defense Coach Anderson said “He plans on keeping it simple. We intend to run the same 4-3 scheme we ran last year while adding a few wrinkles that we think suit our personnel."
Graduation hasn’t affected the team as it has in years past. They return with three offensive linemen that started or saw a lot of time, four of five leading receivers from last year also return, and a one thousand plus yards rusher.
"We hope that our experience will help get us out to a fast start due to the fact that the first half of our schedule has some very good competition," said Anderson. “There are some holes in the team though, more defense than offense.”
Only two defensive starters return from last year’s team. The team will rely on Marc Goodwin, a first team all-conference middle linebacker last year, and the other seniors while the coaches help the younger players mature as fast as possible.
This team will consist of seniors: Marc Goodwin TE/LB, Blake Banovitz OL/DL, Lucas Kirlin OL, T.J. Kane OL, Steven Lenertz WR, Daniel Walsh WR, and Andrew Johnson OL/DL. Juniors: Ian Roden OL/DL, Patrick Morey RB, Marcus Koster OL/DL, Miles Fritch OL/DL, Clayton Carr QB/DB, Austin Root DB, Greg Evans OL/LB, Riley Lavin OL/LB, Brandon Wilkinson WR/DB, and Rick Novak. An up and comer to look for this season will be Ryan Prevost RB/DB.
This will be without a doubt a difficult season. In the first half of the season the Vikings will face Lewistown who were (10-1) last season, Princeville who was number one in the conference, and the new co-op between Annawan and Wethersfield. Just like every other season though, the Vikings will take the season one game at a time.
"All we ask of our players is that they give their all every down," said Anderson.
There is a long road ahead and no one can predict what will happen. What everyone can expect though, is some very intense Friday night football games. The football team will not have a scrimmage game this year due to the lack of players, but they will have an open practice from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22. Their first official game is Friday, Aug. 29, at home against Stark County at the regular 7 p.m. time.