GRAYLING — With six returners on offense and five on defense, the Grayling football team certainly has every expectation of improving on last year’s 3-6 record.
The schedule this year has been shortened to six games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the start of the season. But on the flip side, everyone automatically qualifies for the playoffs so a team can finish 0-6 and still advance to the post-season.
Obviously, the true test comes Friday night when the Blazers kick off their 2020 campaign at Kalkaska. But, right now head coach Eric Tunney likes where the Vikings are at this point.
“We have some guys that have played a lot of ball, and we also have some guys that don’t have much varsity experience,” Tunney added. “Without a scrimmage or anything like that, we have to be smart with full tackling and things like that.
“A lot is still to be determined, but I like we’re at. The kids have been working hard. I think we’ll be all right.”
Running the offense at quarterback is junior Hunter Ventline, who was the starter last year. Despite the absence of a scrimmage to get a better look, Ventline has impressed during workouts, and he has more confidence with a year’s experience calling the shots.
He has the arm strength to throw the ball deep down the field, which will stretch defenses to the max and give the Vikings the threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Although the Vikings’ offense won’t be built around Ventline’s running ability, there’s no question they expect him to add some yardage with his feet as well as his arm. It gives the Vikings another dimension,
Despite splitting time with a pair of seniors last year, senior running back Dave Millikin got a good number of carries as a junior and is expected to take on a bigger role.
“I’m really excited to turn him loose,” Tunney said. “He really got in the weight room in the off-season, and he looks like a different kid than he did last year.”
Junior tight end/receiver Andrew Kanary played some as as sophomore last year, is expected to be a playmaker for the Vikings, and he’s also an excellent blocker.
Tunney is looking for senior Anthony Fisher to handle some pass catching duties along with serving as a running back as well as a backup for Ventline at quarterback.
“He’s a shifty kid, super talented and he’s pretty smooth,” Tunney said. “He catches on real quick.”
Grayling has three returning starters on the offensive line, including senior Noah Abney, junior Logan Collett and junior Reid Cvitkovich. Abney and Collett have the beef to push people around, while Cvitkovich is a three-year starter.
Although a little undersized, Cvitkovich uses great technique as well as his strength to offset his size deficiency.
On the defensive side of the ball Kanary will be starting at defensive end. Tunney says he has hopes to play college ball, and expects him to get that opportunity.
Starting at the linebacker positions are Millikin and Cvitkovich. Both have a lot of experience their belts. The coaching staff is looking for junior Dakota Martin to step up at outside linebacker, and senior Jordan Wakeley will play at one of the corners.
“We brought up a couple of sophomores to get them some experience, and I think they’ll help us,” Tunney said.
Because of their big offensive line, and a talented running back, the Vikings will look to establish the running game.
“I’m a run first kind of guy, but I like our receivers, too,” Tunney said. “One kid, (senior) Dylan Cragg, is a big target. He’s a real good basketball player. He’s come out and he’s looked real good so far, and I’m excited to see what he can do as well.
“We’re going to run the ball, and take some shots in the passing game. Whatever the defense gives us. They want to pack the box, then I feel confident we can throw the ball all game if we need to. But, ideally want to pound the ball.”
Defensively, the Vikings want to be fundamentally sound,
“On the ‘D’ line, we have to hold our gaps and understand that we’re not going to probably make a lot of tackles. We’ll let the linebackers do most of that,” said Tunney.
If the Vikings can be disciplined, then Tunney likes where the defense should be. With some guys going both ways, the Vikings have to be in shape and conditioning will be stressed.
But, that being said. Tunney is confident the bench can step up and make some plays.
Kingsley and Traverse City St. Francis are again expected to be at the top of the Northern Michigan Football Conference-Legends again.
“I tell our guys that we have to have the mentality that we can compete with anybody,” Tunney said. “I don’t know that we’re there right now, but we’re definitely getting better each week.”
Tunney will find out more Friday night.
