GRAYLING – Under normal circumstances the focus would be on getting more for the Grayling football team after its opening round victory over Benzie Central in the MHSAA Division 6 district playoffs.
But, these are anything but normal times with the coronavirus pandemic creating havoc in the playoff schedule as teams cancel games when a player tests positive.
So far, things have gone well for the Vikings who prepare to make the two-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Manistee for a district semifinal Friday night at Chippewa Field.
“It’s still crazy, and I’m excited that we’ve gotten to play as much as we have,” Vikings coach Eric Tunney said. “When it’s win or go home, the stakes are a little higher.
“We’ve won a few games in a row now, the kids are excited, and they’re practicing well. I like where we’re at.”
While the Vikings have avoided anyone on the team contracting the virus – knock on wood – the same can’t be said for the Chippewas, who had to forfeit its season finale because of it.
It’s understandable then that Vikings coach Eric Tunney is sitting on pins and needles each week as the next game approaches, keeping his fingers crossed that the virus doesn’t strike his team.
He won’t rest easy until the team boards the bus to make the trip to Manistee and get another chance to play in a season that has seen its share of disruptions since the beginning.
The Vikings improved to 4-3 for the season with last week’s convincing 47-12 victory over Benzie Central in their first home playoff game since 2013, which won the first meeting earlier this season by a 41-28 score.
Manistee made history with its first playoff victory in program history with a smashing 62-6 blowout of winless Kalkaska, which had forfeited a couple of games at the end of the regular season.
Grayling has won three games in a row and would like to make it four straight by turning back a dangerous Manistee that has scored 229 points this season behind a powerful running game led by Landen Powers.
“They have some kids that are skilled, and they have some tough linemen, too,” Tunney said of the Chippewas. “I think it’s going to be a big challenge for us, but I think our kids are ready.
Powers is a strong kid, and he runs hard. He kind of reminds me of our kid (David Millikin). So, we’re definitely going to have to be disciplined on defense. We’re obviously going to have to hit him hard and tackle well if we’re going to have a chance at winning.”
Manistee lost its starting quarterback to a season ending injury in the first game of the shortened season, but sophomore Jeff Huber has stepped up to fill those shoes admirably well.
Tunney is impressed with what he’s seen of Huber on film.
“He’s a super athletic kid,” the Viking coach said. “He runs the ball well, especially for a sophomore. Looks like he’s kind of got a little swagger to him. We’re going to have to put some pressure on him.
“They want to pound the ball, obviously, but our DB’s have to be ready at all times for the pass.”
Manistee’s running game has been triggered by its offensive line, which has experience and size.
It concerns Tunney some.
“They have some boys, that’s for sure, and they come off the ball well,” the coach said. “I think the good thing for us is that we’ve seen good offensive lines already, playing (Traverse City) St. Francis and Kingsley, and even Ogemaw. That helps as far as getting us a look.
“Our scout team this week has been fantastic. We’ve got some JV kids up, and they have really embraced their role and given us a good look. That helps. Obviously, game speed always a little different.
“But that gap isn’t as big as if we were limited our normal roster, so that’s been helpful. Seeing good offensive lines before definitely will help us.”
Manistee’s defense doesn’t really do anything fancy, Tunney said. The Chippewas stay in their base for most part, with only a few wrinkles here and there.
Otherwise, the Chippewas want to line up and play their style of game.
“We’ll try to take advantage of what they give us,” Tunney said. “It all comes down to execution on offense. Little things can go a long way, whether it’s a six-inch step versus a two-inch step, linemen get their head on the right side, or whatever it may be.
“Hunter (Ventline, the Vikings quarterback) has to make the right reads, and we have to execute and be able to run the ball.”
And that means giving the Chippewas a heavy dose of David Millikin.
