OUTLOOK

Player to watch: Casey Bedwell (RB/LB), Alex Cranfill (G/LB) Date to circle: Aug. 19 against crosstown rival New Berlin Eisenhower in the season opener. Strength: The Vikings may be young, but they will be hungry. Several players will bring good competition to position battles. Weakness: Inexperience. Seven first-team All-Conference players were lost to graduation. We say: If the young Vikings are playing their best at the end of the year then it will be a successful season.

New Berlin West Vikings

West coach pleased with large turnout for second straight season
New Berlin West football coach Aaron Mack had a winning season in his first year at the helm last year and based on his turnout this year, studentathletes are buying into the program. The numbers are up and thats the first time weve had that in back-toback seasons, Mack said. We have about 90 kids in the program. That gives us some stability. That has come from having a good season. The more success you have the more players come out. We dont want to fool around with mediocrity. Mack and his staff have done more than just coach football since coming aboard. We want to take the program in the right direction, Mack said. I think the kids want to know that you care about them. We have their best interests in mind. We believe in doing the hard things well. That has been the best selling point to our players. Mack will have his work cut out as he lost seven first-team all-Woodland Conference players to graduation. Key losses from the offense were quarterback Dom Bledsoe, running back Jake Liban, wide receivers Chad Mathwig and Adam Ruiz and lineman Zachary Reuteler. Defensive backs Liban
By TOM SKY SKIBOSH tskibosh@cninow.com New Berlin West's, Zac Scholz, breaks off several tackle attempts during the conference playoff game against New Berlin Eisenhower Lions October 20.

A GLANCE BACK
Record
Overall: 6-4 Woodland Conference: 6-2 Outcome: Lost in first round to Wisconsin Lutheran (32-9)

All-Conference returnees
First team: None Honorable mention: None First-team losses: Dom Bledsoe (QB), Jake Liban (RB/DB), Chad Mathwig (WR), Zachary Reuteler (OL), Adam Ruiz (WR/DB), Jake Reuteler (LB), Bryan Thiessenhusen (DE/OLB/ P) Coach: Aaron Mack

Photo by Pat A. Robinson

Aug. 19 Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14

SCHEDULE

New Berlin Eisenhower Greendale South Milwaukee St. Thomas More Cudahy Pewaukee St. Francis Brown Deer Greenfield

home games in bold

South Milwaukee Whitnall Wauwatosa West St. Thomas More Cudahy Pewaukee St. Francis Brown Deer New Berlin Eisenhower

LAST YEAR

L 27-13 L 31-28 W 41-0 W 55-6 W 61-21 L 51-33 W 19-16 W 32-14 W 42-7

and Ruiz, linebacker Jake Reuteler and defensive end/linebacker and punter Bryan Thiessenhusen were big losses on the other side of the line. We will have 18 new faces out of 22 starters, Mack said. Preston Porter and Andrew Ziefle will battle for the quarterback spot in Macks multi-spread offense. Casey Bedwell, Jordan Fagen and Brian Watson will be running backs and senior Adrian Teil will lead the wide receivers. Guards Alex Cranfill and Justin Roundtree and center Cole Goodwill will anchor the offensive line. Bedwell and Cranfill at inside linebacker will anchor the 4-4 defense for

Mack. However because of the Vikings large numbers they hope to gain an advantage by platooning. We should be able to platoon because of our numbers, Mack said. With our inexperience that should help us because the kids can focus on one position. We might be able to win a few games against certain teams by platooning. Mack looks for Pewaukee, St. Francis and Cudahy to be tough this season. If we are playing our best at the end of the year, Mack said. If we are doing our job and getting things done, then it will be a successful season.

SW August 18, 2011

Coachs Corner We believe in doing the hard things well. That has been the best selling point to our players.
Aaron Mack, New Berlin West football coach

home games in bold

15