Head Football Coach Mitch Dorr welcomed 26 players who came out for the 2014 Viking football squad.
Captain’s practice began August 4, but coaches began working with players on August 11.
Wen asked how practice was going Dorr responded, “Very good. I have been encouraged by the first week of practice. We are adjusting to a new offense and some moves on defense as well.”
Because of graduation and some players not coming out this year, many kids will line up in positions they have never played before, and the offensive and defensive lines will be filled with new faces.
“To be honest, the kids don’t know where they will be playing yet for sure. There are many position battles that will move players so not much is set in stone, if anything,” Dorr said.
Dorr promised changes on both sides of the ball. “The pass will be a big part of our offense which is revamped and completely overhauled from last year. We will still run option football but the ball will be in the air.”
Last season Leo Johnson started at quarterback as a sophomore, and Dorr said, “Leo will probably be our starting quarterback this year. Many of our running backs will also be receivers in the spread offense so we have many hybrid players that will run and catch the ball. They include: Rory Bakke, Owen Anderson, Sam O’Phelan, and Jerod Spry. Our fullback will be Jack Wieben and Rory Bakke will also look at that spot. In addition to those I already named, will be Andrew Fenstad-Lashinski, Andy Farley, and Will Lamb. There will be no real tightends in this offense.”
Probable starting linemen will be Frankie Miller, Richie Furlong, Jamie Wick, Noah Warren, Dylan Works, Jack Viren, Travis Bradley, Bubba Finke, Noah Roth, and some younger guys, said Dorr.
While the Vikings won’t be big, they possess a lot of quickness and some speed, and will use those attributes to cause havoc on defense, lining up in different positions and rushing the quarterback and stuffing the line with four linebackers to stop the run.
With school attendance falling, this will mark the last year the Cook County Vikings will play 11-man football. Next year the Vikings will move into a 9-man conference and play against schools more their own size. It will also be a chance to renew a rivalry against Silver Bay, which has been playing 9-man football the last couple of years.
The Vikings’ first home game will be played on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m. against Marshall. That game will be followed by two away games, one played on September 12 against East Central and one against Deer River on September 19. The Vikings play Ogilvie at home on September 26 and travel to Eveleth on October 3. Barnum comes to town on October 15 to play in the Vikings final home game before playoffs start.
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