(Avoca) AHSTW played just five football games last season and had three cancelled. The Vikings are chomping at the bit to get things started this year.
Coach GG Harris reports players and coaches are getting after it and there’s a good vibe to start the season. “The kids are working really, really hard. They are hungry. I think they have a lot to prove to themselves and a lot of the kids that are back this year didn’t play a lot of football last year. They are excited to play the game.”
The Vikings have some standout athletes to build around. “Raydden Grobe and Denver Pauley are two that really come to mind. Those are two individuals that are really going to have to own both sides of the ball in whatever their role might be whether the ball is in their hands or not. We’ll be looking for them to produce and produce at a high level. They’ll be playing both ways.” Harris adds, “Guys that are seniors that are having to step up are Garrison Gettler and Blake Tuma. We have a lot of good individuals that have put a lot of time in.” Jace Peterson, Jordan Ratzlaff, Aidan Martin, and Hayden Fischer are some other key veterans returning along with a strong junior class.
Coach Harris didn’t hesitate when asked what a strength of the team might be. “Our depth.” They have 45 kids out. “A huge increase for us. We’re anywhere from 10-12 kids per class and we are really deep. Our young talent has a lot of potential and they are coming in wanting to play right now.”
The team also possesses a lot of versatility. “We want to keep it simple, but we also know there is a lot of creativity there for both sides of the ball to really showcase the skill set that all of our guys have. It’s pretty crazy to see all the things they can do and the different positions they can play.”
Harris says Kyle Sternberg is in line to take over as the starting quarterback after the graduation of Blake Holst. “The game keeps getting slower mentally for him. He has a lot of command in the huddle. Guys respect him and he’s a hard worker. He doesn’t have to do it all on his own. He’s making people around him better and getting the ball where it needs to go. So far he’s done a really, really nice job.”
AHSTW is in Class A District 7 this season along with Earlham, Mount Ayr, Riverside, Sidney, SW Valley, and St. Albert. Their Week 1 opponent is IKM-Manning.
AHSTW coach GG Harris:
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