by Marty Zier

Sports contributor

Justin Frausto enters his third year as head coach of the Viking football team after years as a Viking assistant coach and head coach of the Kings prior to that.

Suffering from a decrease in available players, Frausto says, “We are playing eight-man football this year until we can get enough players to safely play 11-man football. We had 18 to 22 players signed up or committed in the off-season, but lost a lot of those players for one reason or another.”

He said they have a dedicated group of 12 players that consists of primarily upperclassmen.

“We are looking forward to a competitive season this year in 11-man football. Honestly, we are somewhat embarrassed to start out with an eight-man football team since we were competing for the league championship last year. That said, I am thrilled that these guys get to play football this year.”

Frausto is pleased to have assistant coach and Viking alumni Tyler Nigretto helping with the team.

Eight-man football is new to the Vikings.

“It is a lot different, it’s a wide open game. We have a talented core group of guys, so whether we play eight-man or 11-man, I think the guys will do well.”