Dundee Vikings 2017 Football Preview

City / County: Dundee / Monroe

School Mascot Name: Vikings
2016 Record: 4-5
Conference/Division: Lenawee County Athletic Association
2017's Expected Division for Playoffs: Division 5
Record last 3 seasons: 9-18
Record last 5 seasons: 20-26
Record last 10 seasons: 45-50

Head Coach: Kyle McElvany
Head Coaching Experience: 3 years
Assistant Coaching Staff:
Tom Oestrike- Defensive Coordinator / Running Backs
Kevin Bechler- Offensive Line / Defensive Line / JV Defense
Spencer Eagle- Running Backs / Defensive Ends
Dan Fugate- Quarterbacks / Defensive Backs
Bill Koczman- Offensive Line / Defensive Line / JV Head Coach
Darrell Eaton- Quality Control / Defensive Ends
Captains: TBD in August.
Returning Starters on Offense: 7
Returning Starters on Defense: 8
Returning Key Players:
Cole Salenbien- Quarterback / Defensive Back (2018)
Ben Miller- Running Back / Linebacker (2018)
Austin Gabriel- Running Back / Defensive Back (2018)
Cal McAvoy- Running Back / Tight End / Linebacker (2019)
George Salenbien- Running Back / Linebacker (2018)
Calen Lewis- Offensive Line / Defensive Line (2018)
Kyle Reinhart- Offensive Line Defensive End (2018)
Tim Vann Jr.- Quarterback / Defensive Back (2018)
Christian Cosner- Tight End / Defensive End (2019)
Thomas Zonca- Offensive Line / Linebacker (2019)
Upcoming Players:
Zac Bellaire- Running Back / Defensive Back (2018)
Blaze McBee - Running Back / Defensive Back (2020)
Austin Schultz- Offensive Line / Defensive Line (2019)
Tyler Parker- Offensive Line / Defensive Line (2018)
Carter Scott- Tight End / Defensive Back / Kicker (2019)
Evan Kerr- Tight End / Linebacker (2019)
Team Strength(s) for 2017:
On offense, we consider our backfield to be the strength of our team as we will return all 3 starting running backs and our quarterback. On defense, collectively, we consider our linebackers to be our strength on that side of the ball as the majority of them either started or had significant playing time during the 2016 season.
Biggest Shoes / Holes to Fill in 2017:
On offense, we have to fill some significant positions on our offensive line with the graduation losses of Gage Campbell, Joe Jarecki, Jacob Williams, and Tyler Turner. Defensively, we must find a way to replace Jarrod Layton, Turner, Devon Forrest, Wyatt Liedel, and Joe Jarecki. We must also find a replacement for special teams leader Gabe Gutierrez (kicker/punter). These young men were an important part of the core of our program when our coaching staff arrived to Dundee in 2015 and now we are trusting that those underclassmen at the time have developed and are prepared to put their own stamp on the program.
2017 Season Outlook:
We will enter the 2017 season with high standards within our program. In February, our senior class set the goals for our team for the 2017 season and it will require hard work, discipline, and attention to detail to achieve those goals. As a program, it has always been about us and working to be the best team we can be. We will trust our experienced group of seniors to lead this program on and off the field.
Outlook on Conference/Division:
While it may sound cliche', we feel that the L.C.A.A. will be very competitive. Hudson and Brooklyn Columbia Central are the favorites entering the 2017 season with Ida, Hillsdale, and Blissfield not far behind them. Onsted will be returning an athletic core of varsity players in addition to bringing up possibly the best J.V. team in our league from last season. Coach Beaudrie is doing a great job creating a foundation at Erie Mason who will be much improved as well. Our non-conference schedule will be challenging as well with Carleton Airport returning their talented backfield and Whitmore Lake having one of their best teams in quite some time. It is critical for us to take advantage of every single practice opportunity to compete with our schedule.