The Cook County Vikings football team began practice August 16 and Coach Mitch Dorr said they are already exhibiting strong work ethic and great team chemistry.
The Cook County football team started practice on Monday, August 16. This year’s squad consists of 31 young men in grades 9-12. Of the 31 players on the team, 17 are either freshmen or sophomores. Despite their youth, the coaching staff is very optimistic about this year’s team.
In addition to 17 freshmen and sophomores, the Vikings have four seniors playing football after two or more years away from the game. While the Vikings seem overly young and inexperienced, they have a lot of talent to utilize.
This year’s squad has already exhibited two great qualities that every team needs for success: a strong work ethic and great team chemistry. The coaching staff has been impressed with the team’s overall mental and physical effort in practice. The 10 freshmen have been especially impressive, as they have made the transition from junior high to varsity practices fairly well.
Captains have yet to be named to this year’s squad, but the team has a number of leaders regardless of who earns the title of captain. Seniors on the team are: Nick Austin, Trevor Pehrson, Stein Jacobsen, Will Petty, Brandon Dahl, Cameron Dockan, and Dene Taylor. While Austin, Pehrson, and Dahl all played for the Vikings last season, Jacobsen, Petty, Dockan, and Taylor are all right in the mix to find positions on this year’s team.
Juniors are Mike Sjogren, Dylan Quaife, Bradley VanDoren, Hunter Farley, Jordan Lack, Aaron Carlson, and Gunner Anderson. All seven juniors were on last year’s squad and will be a key component of the Vikings’ attack this year.
The sophomores have a small but talented class as all seven of them return for another season. Kale Boomer, Colin Everson, Clay Johnson, Mark Marxen, Peter Warren, Dakota Sorlie, and Justin Goldstein will all see considerable action this year.
The freshman class is large and talented. A few of them will see varsity action immediately. This class consists of Thomas Anderson, Levi Axtell, Jake Carlson, Ben Kroska, Breyer McQuatters, Parker Slanga, Bryan Lack, Jacob Schroeder, Jonny Jacobsen, and Ryan Morse.
The team’s managers are both highly dedicated. They are Molly Zafft and Kayla Bronikowski.
Thecoaching staff is largely the same as last season with a few additions. Head coach Mitch Dorr is back for his sixth year at the helm of the Vikings’ ship and his 12th overall for Cook County football.
Mike Boomer is back for his 17th year of Cook County football. He coordinates the defense, the special teams units, and works with running backs and linebackers. Pat Eliasen returns for his 11th year with the Vikings, working with offensive and defensive linemen. Kyler Hawkins is back for his third season working with defensive backs and wide receivers.
While Bryan Carpenter coaches the junior high football team, he attends as many varsity practices as possible and is a key component on the varsity staff on game nights. He helps in all areas and is a great coach that adds another dimension to Cook County football. Seth Falk, who manages the Upper Shore Fitness Center, has been volunteering time on the field for the Vikings and will help out Coach Eliasen with offensive and defensive linemen.
Lee Bergstrom returns as the team’s volunteer trainer and will be the Vikings’ main contact person with injuries and physical therapy. Treg Axtell is also helping out when he can with Viking athletes who need attention to injuries and daily muscle strains.
The new football season is full of promise. The Vikings had their annual Blue vs. White football scrimmage this past Wednesday night on August 25. The junior varsity team has its first home game this coming Tuesday, August 31. The varsity’s first game will be on the road in Esko on Friday, September 3.
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