2019 Team Previews: Upper Merion Area Vikings @UMVikingsFB
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 1, News
Billy Splain | August 7, 2019
| 2018 Season Record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6-5
2019 Schedule: https://pafootballnews.com/upper-merion-vikings/
|
| Head Coach |
| Victor Brown |
| Assistant Coaches |
| Ed Helenski, Frank Karkoska, Mike Fabrizio, Don Jackson Davis Chubb, Brad Scioli, Nick Rotondo, Mike Bruno-Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| Key Starters Lost |
| Dontae Slocum-DT/OT, Mark Picariello OT/LB, Kevin Jainlett-DE/OT, Sam Ghanayhem DT/OG, Owen Ledebur-DT/C, Zaire Savage RB/LB, Mie Zelli, RB/LB, Will Fisher DL/TE, Nick Lindelow-K/P |
| Offensive Starters Returning |
| Sr. Marc Clayton-FB, Sr. Dale Clayton-QB, Sr. Chris Nero-OG, Jr. Stef Nikolaou-OG, Jr. Keith Boyle OL/DL, Sr. Tayain Lobban-WR, Jr. Aaron Anderson-WR, Jr. Carter Besz-WR |
| Defensive Starters Returning |
| Sr. Marc Clayton-LB, Jr. Stef Nikolaou-DL, Sr. Tayain Lobban-CB, Jr. Aaron Anderson-CB, Jr. Carter Besz-FS |
| Special Team Starters Returning |
| Sr. Tayain Lobban-KR/PR, Aaron Anderson KR/PR |
| Key Newcomers |
| Jr. Charlie Reinhardt-K/P, So. Gus Costell-WR/DB, So. Tremayne Brown OL/DL, So. Braden Marino-WR/DB, So. Brett Leflar-RB/LB |
| What does your offense need to improve on from last year? |
| Offensively, we need to become more balanced. Last year was Dale’s first game experience at QB and he improved each week. Towards the end of last season, our offense did become more balanced and produced more than the first half of the season. Zaire Savage and Mike Zelli accounted for a majority of our rushing yards last season. So some guys will be seeing their first varsity action this season. It will be important for us to spread the ball around and get the ball in the hands of our athletes. |
| What does your defense need to improve on from last year |
| Defensively, the defense was the strength of our team. We had a strong defensive line that consistently put pressure on the QB. However, two of those guys received all-league recognition and graduated. Kevin Jainlett and Dontae Slocum accounted for a majority of our sacks and QB hurries. We will need to account for the loss of Dontae and Kevin for the defense to improve. Tremayne Brown and Justin Justin will likely be the ones filling in the shoes of their predecessors. |
| What are your overall thoughts on this years team? |
| The key to us being successful is remaining healthy. We have several skill players returning from last season, this includes quarterback Dale Clayton. We once again will be relying on some young players to develop quickly and make contributions. Roster depth is still an issue but it is improving. |
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