Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
BRUCE BUMSTEAD/BRANDON SUN Enlarge Image
Quarterback Ryan Baker (pictured above) and running back Victor St. Pierre will carry Crocus this season.
Are you ready for some football?
Crocus Plainsmen running back Victor St. Pierre. (BRUCE BUMSTEAD/BRANDON SUN)
As all three Brandon high school football teams get set to strap on the pads this week for their season openers, here is a look at the gridiron giants:
Vincent Massey Vikings:
With a young core of players heading into the season, the Vikings may be in rebuilding mode coming off a 5-3 record last year in the Kas Vidruk Division of the Winnipeg High School Football League.
On offence, the team will rely on fourth-year running back James Johnson, who will share the backfield with youngster Matthew Bryant, but should get the bulk of the carries for the Vikes.
"The first game is always a big one and last year we didn’t get started right, so it’d be nice to get the confidence up right away and ride it through the season," Johnson said about hosting the Kelvin Clippers on Friday at 5 p.m.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound back isn’t going to let anything stand in his way of getting the Vikings off to a better start this year.
"I’m going to run over some guys," Johnson said with a smile. "Every running back likes to make guys miss, but I’m going to run over some guys, wear down the defence and hopefully that makes it easier for the O-line and the receivers."
The matchup against the Clippers is foreign to the Vikings, however, since Kelvin played in the John Potter Division last season and struggled to a 0-8 record before being demoted this year.
"There is a little mystery and it’s all new to us, which will make it a challenge but it’s also fun," Vikings head coach Mike Steeves said.
The key for the team will be finding consistency on offence, Steeves said, adding that this year’s team will continue the proud Viking tradition.
"The pressure comes from within and the coaches and players put so much time in that we expect to give a good effort and usually that means the scoreboard will be in your favour," Steeves said.
Crocus Plainsmen:
Run and gun might be the only way to describe the 2012 edition of the Plainsmen.
"We probably have more talent on offence then I’ve ever coached before, which is a lot of fun," Plainsmen head coach Kevin Boyd said.
The Plainsmen are an offensive juggernaut and will look to improve on their 1-6 record in the Kas Vidruk Division last year.
Back is monster right tackle Bryce Moman opening up holes for the Plainsmen running game that boasts Victor St. Pierre, who was the MVP of the Blue & Gold Game in May — a game that features the top 100 high school football players in the province under the age of 18.
And if teams decide to stack the box to limit St. Pierre, the Plainsmen will rely on the combination of quarterback Ryan Baker and receiver Taylor Maloney, who led the division in passing and receiving last season.
"If we play the way we can play and stay healthy, I think this is going to be our best year in a lot of years," Boyd said.
The Plainsmen open the season on the road Friday in Winnipeg against the St. Paul’s Crusaders, who finished 10-0 last season.
The game presents a stiff test, but Boyd said the road trip provides an opportunity for the team to bond and rally around each other.
"We’ll find out Friday if we’re practice warriors or if we’re game warriors," Boyd said. "I’m big on the team being a family and they have really bought into that."
Neelin Spartans:
After a tough season in the Kas Vidruk Division last year in which Neelin went 1-6, the Spartans have dropped down to the Andy Currie Division.
However, with a solid crop of returning players including Matt Mitchler, who was selected for the Blue & Gold Game, the Spartans will look to rebound in 2012.
"We’ve got a very strong nucleus of kids coming back and that experience should help us this season," Spartans head coach Rob Cullen said.
The team was also dealt a tough blow last season when they lost starting running back Dylan Minshull to a knee injury. Minshull, who racked up 794 yards in four games prior to the injury, will be a key cog in the Spartan’s attack this season.
"We’re going to have a very strong running game and our passing game should be strong as well if everything falls into place," Cullen said. "Dylan should have a big year running the ball and he looks like he’s in great shape."
Bryce Keilback will handle the snaps under centre and Cullen said it will be important to control the tempo of the game with a balanced attack on offence.
"We expect to grind games out and be a possession team," Cullen said. "We want to control the clock by using our mixture of talent in the air and on the ground."
The Spartans kick off the season at home today at 5 p.m., when they host the Sisler Spartans.
» ctweed@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition September 6, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Are you ready for some football?
As all three Brandon high school football teams get set to strap on the pads this week for their season openers, here is a look at the gridiron giants:
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
Are you ready for some football?
As all three Brandon high school football teams get set to strap on the pads this week for their season openers, here is a look at the gridiron giants:
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.