Dundee enters 2018 with a bitter taste in their mouth after going 3-6 in 2017, with four losses that were by a touchdown or less. The Vikings return four starters on offense, and five on defense in Kyle McElvany’s fourth season at the helm.
Offense: The Vikings will continue to run out of the Full House T, but will have new faces in new places. Junior Matt Vann steps in at quarterback, while the running back corps will feature senior Cal McAvoy at fullback. The rest of the running backs seeing time will be juniors Blaze McBee and Will Underwood, as well as sophomores Ty Schroeder and Kyle Ott. Senior Thomas Zonca returns to anchor the offensive line. Senior TEs Carter Scott and Evan Kerr also return. Scott also returns at kicker.
Defense: The defensive side of the ball appears to be the strength of the Vikings. Up front, senior NT Austin Schultz looks to bounce back from an injury-shortened season, while Zonca returns for another season at DE. McAvoy will be the heart and soul of the defense at MLB. McBee and senior Jake White will occupy the CB slots, while Ott could step in at safety.
Coach’s Outlook: “This will be one of the toughest years for the LCAA. I have seen since we came to Dundee. Every team will be much improved and it is hard to pick a favorite. Our non-conference opponents will be athletic, test our secondary, and we must be better at the fundamentals of blocking and tackling then they are to be successful in those games. We don’t have the biggest roster but we have hard working kids and coaches who have good chemistry together. Right now we are focusing solely on us and the next practice. If we can focus on having the best possible practice we can every day then the rest should take care of itself.”
A young Vikings team will have to grow up quickly. The non-conference games are winnable, but the LCAA slate is brutal with road trips to Ida, Blissfield, and Brooklyn Columbia Central. Getting back to the top of the heap in the conference, as well as the playoffs, may be a year away.
Frank’s Prediction: 3-6
Chris’s Prediction: 3-6
Gary’s Prediction: 3-6
A little off on picks dundee is a playoff team clearly.