Coming off a dramatic 2011 season highlighted by an Island Cup victory, a knockout playoff victory against Concrete and Seattle Lutheran, Coach Scott Harris has a challenge this year with one of the smallest Viking football squads in years.

With a large 2011 graduating class plus two thin years of freshman players, the Vikings will attack the rest of the league with fewer than 20 players. At practice, Harris stresses keeping grades up, staying healthy, eating right and focus.

After the Vashon Island winning opener with only 13 eligible players, Harris said, “Going in I knew we were inexperienced and young in some spots. Our kids made some mistakes but got better as the game progressed. They hung together in some tough times.”

Harris and the Vikings will face tough league opponents this year as LaConner, Tacoma Baptist and Seattle Lutheran have strong, deeper teams that will test the Vikings’ experience and depth.

The Island Cup will also be up for grabs on Sept. 14 in Friday Harbor with the Wolverines anxious after two consecutive losses.

For coverage of the Vikings’ most recent home games, see page 10.

“I am excited to watch our team mature through the year,” Harris said. “Our senior leaders are stepping up and leading this inexperienced and young team. Our goal is to get better each game. Players to watch out for are bruising running back Jake Zier, receiver/linebacker Devon Stanzione and outside linebacker Di Mowry. I am also thrilled to have kicker Jack Russillo keep us in and win some tight games.”

Harris says other players to watch out for are first year starter at quarterback Daniel Briggs, returning receiver Rylan Date, sophomores Demitri Pence, Joey Susol and Jay Zier and first year starters Spencer Crow and Kyle Masters.