The Orcas Vikings football team spent four days in July at Camp Rilea on the northwest coast of Oregon battling 17 other high school teams from Washington, Oregon and Idaho that also have their sights set on being state champs.

“Being the 2011 2B state champs is an attainable goal for this Vikings football team,” said head coach Scott Harris.

He says he’s very excited to welcome back many of the starters that finished the season with 11 wins and only two losses in 2010 and made it to the Tacoma Dome for the first time in 10 years. The Vikings were Northwest/Sea-Tac league champs and won two playoff games to make it to the dome for only the third time in school history, ending the season with a third place finish in the state.

“We have the tools and experience to make it to the next level this season,” said Harris. “The guys have been working hard at practice each morning and doing Crossfit workouts with Thad Douglas of Orcas Athletics in the evenings. They have shown me how committed they are to winning. I absolutely love this team.”

The Vikings have a very tough schedule, as Harris has challenged them by inviting Salem Academy of Oregon as their home opener on Sept. 3 followed by the defense of their island cup championship against Friday Harbor at home on Sept. 10.

The Vikings then go on the road to play perennial league championship contenders St. Margaret’s in San Juan Capistrano, California on Sept. 16 before starting their league schedule back at home against Tacoma Baptist the following week.

“This is by far the most challenging early season competition we have ever scheduled,” Harris said. “I believe our guys will benefit from playing such high level opponents.”

The Orcas Island Football Boosters are fundraising all of the money it will take for the California trip with work parties, car washes, a raffle, Viking merchandise and a “Lift-a-Thon.”

Look for their booth at the farmers’ market and the library fair, where the Lift-a-Thon will take place.