With the loss of their top three rushers, quarterback, top two receivers and a pair of all-conference linemen you might think Parkview was in for a rough 2016.
Not so much.
Head coach: Anthony Hays (6th year)
2015 record: 5-6 (lost to Nixa in district semifinals)
Players to Watch: Blake Delacruz (So. RB/S), Mario Sanchez (Jr QB), Marcus Walton (Sr WR/DB)
“We finished strong last year, won a playoff game against Ozark, and we want to carry some momentum into this year,” said head coach Anthony Hays.
After dropping four of the first five games last season the Vikings ripped off four of five before falling to Nixa in the district semifinals. Hays is hoping to flip some of those close losses this fall.
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“They’re all close games, so the difference between 3-7 or 5-6 or 8-2 is just a couple plays here and there, so it’s about playing each snap to the best of your ability.”
Anthony Riley led the Ozark Conference with 2,040 rushing yards last season. He is now at D-2 Quincy University. The Vikings also lost second leading rusher Chaviz Nguyen and third leading rusher Nicholas Cole to graduation.
Despite those major departures, Parkview has a crop of talented skill players coming in that have Hays really excited.
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Sophomore Blake Delacruz will get carries after starting at safety as a freshman. Senior Aerion “Petey” Hawkins is a bruiser type in the backfield. And another sophomore, Jevin Huddleston, is a speedster that runs the lead leg on Parkview’s 4×100 track team.
“We feel like we’ve got three to four running backs with good speed, good power and hopefully we get a running back by platoon system going this year.”
Offensive line has become a staple for Parkview and despite the losses of Joseph Woodiel and Juvon White the Vikings are once again extremely solid, especially on the right side.
Brady Hill and Seth White return at tight end. Jacob Kuhnert enters his third year starting at center. Ben Grandon returns at right guard along with Jeffrey Styles at right tackle.
Hays acknowledges that group’s major contribution to the ultimate success of the offense.
“We’re a run-oriented team and we really like having big, physical linemen and we have three of our five coming back and we have a couple really good ones replacing the seniors we lost. We’re excited about our kids up front.”
Mario Sanchez has started at quarterback throughout the Parkview system and finally gets his shot at starting varsity as a junior. The speedster will get a push from freshman Trevor Boyce, who was one of the best skill position players in the city in middle school last year. Hays says he came into camp ready to compete right away.
The weapons don’t stop there. Marcus Walton set the Class 5 high jump record last year and returns for his senior season expected to play a lot at wide receiver and cornerback.
Warren Atkins came on strong at the end of last season. The cornerback broke out in the district opener against Ozark with a kickoff return for a touchdown and a pick-six. Hays credits those explosive plays for keeping the Vikings in the game early.
“We’re excited about the dynamic opportunity he brings us in the kick return game and the secondary.”
As for the defense, that appears to be the early concern as the Vikings lost eight starters. Not ideal, but Hays sees a silver lining in the opportunity it creates for his up-and-comers.
“We have a lot of competition which has been really good through summer and camp. You’ve got hungry kids who have been waiting their turn. They’ll be a little green, but I’m super excited about them.”
Returning all-conference defensive back C.J. Loveall will be a go-to leader for the defense.
Brick by brick is the theme this year and if not this year, the Vikings certainly have a very bright future.
That future begins with a major test week 1 as they host the defending Ozark Conference champion Kickapoo Chiefs, Fri. Aug. 19 at 7:00 pm.
