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Singled-minded Fremd aiming to take flight

Last year, with its starting quarterback out with an injury, Fremd needed a wing and a prayer to make the state playoffs.

After installing the single wing on offense and coupling that with a few psalms, the Vikings rallied to win their two final games and qualify for the 8A playoffs before losing in the opening round to state runner-up Glenbard North.

This year the players have already said their prayers, and the single wing has become a staple in the Fremd offense as the Vikings have their sights set even higher.

“You are going to see the single-wing coming at you again,” Fremd coach Lou Sponsel said. “And multiple offenses, including a no-huddle spread.”

The Vikings return 16 starters from last year with 9 of those on the offensive side of the ball, giving Sponsel and his crew lots of options when they have the ball.

“We played a lot of juniors last year and we were very undersized last year,” Sponsel said. “This year, we have physical, experienced skill positions and we also have a big, strong offensive line like we had in the mid to late 2000’s.”

Sam Beutler, who will be in his fourth year as the starting quarterback for the Vikings, will be directing all varied offenses again this year. Trevor Cutler will start the first game of the season while Beutler is idled.

Jeff McGlade, who rushed for 912 yards and scored 14 touchdowns, will get the brunt of the Vikings’ carries. Garrett Groot, Cody Patenaude and Darius Burchett will also be factors in the backfield.

But the real beauty in the single-wing doesn’t come with the run. It is the play-action pass which will set up Matt Konopka and Andrew Stark, who will be the main targets when the Vikings decide to throw.

As much as Sponsel will be looking to his skills positions, it will be the Vikings’ offensive line, which is monstrous, that will garner attention as well.

They will be led by junior Dominic Lombard (6-foot-5, 290 pounds). The Vikings have a rotation of Brad Ruehrdanz (6-2, 270), Jake Plantz (6-4, 245), Clay Dukewich (6-6, 245), Scott Hoffman (6-2, 300), Jack Albrecht (6-4, 240) and Ryan Comstock (6-1, 285).

On the defensive side, the Vikings will have seven starters returning in Ruehrdanz, Konopka, McGlade and Groot along with Nick Breitzman and Jon Van Duch. Stephen Walsh, Brandon Barwacz, John Magnani, Vince Donile, Ryan Haas and Anthony Halvorsen will also be keys to the Vikings’ 4-2-5 defense.

“We have a real solid group. We are going to be good or very, very good. It will depend on how fast we transition from good to very good. It will depend on how fast our seniors transition and begin to lead.

Sponsel said that one of the keys to this year’s team came last season when his Vikings were able to reach the state playoffs when almost everyone was reading them their epitaphs.

“We had our backs to the wall, Sponsel said. “And Fremd kids fight when their backs are up against the wall. We commend last year’s seniors for laying the foundation and for showing these guys how to transition this program from good to great.”

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