Scouting Fremd: Vikes rely on tradition in hopes of bounce-back season

Fremd is looking back in hopes of a brighter future.

It was a rough season for the Vikings last year. Injuries, inexperience and a schedule that included eight playoff teams combined for a 1-8 record, one of the worst marks in school history.

"We were in a lot of games, but just not ready to win," Fremd coach Lou Sponsel said.

Sponsel and his staff looked to turn things around in the off-season.

"I knew we needed to see something different," Sponsel said. "The kids are taking pride. I think our chemistry is very good."

Sponsel said the Vikings changed they style of practice after a meeting with the players after last season.

"We went with the tough grinder mentality last year," Sponsel said. "The kids said that they wanted to go back to the 'Iron Will' ways. That's what they grew up with and that's our history."

Fremd will have a nice mix of seniors and juniors and could have as many as five sophomores stepping onto the field.

Fremd will have a veteran backfield with junior quarterback Andrew Saxe and senior running back Nicky Rattin. Both played well last season, but got banged up near the end.

"Andrew has made tremendous growth for us," Sponsel said. "He went into the gym on his own and worked out hard. He has thrown the ball with some power behind it and he is still the same runner he was from last year - but he is bigger and stronger."

Rattin has grown to 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds and plays more like he is 225 pounds, according to Sponsel.

"Nick is a kid that makes the whole football team," Sponsel said. "He is the kid that is a force on the field. He can play running back or safety and he can kick. You look back at all the great teams we had here at Fremd, and you always had a Nicky Rattin on it."

That duo will get to operate behind a senior-dominated offensive line.

Luke Bilek ( 6-foot-1, 212), Will Josten (6-3, 230) and Brian Morel (6-1, 225) all saw plenty of time last season. They will be joined by seniors Ryan Gregory (5-10, 210) and Kyle Cullinan ( 5-11, 195), who will be splitting time, and sophomore Jack Walsh (6-3, 255) who according to Sponsel has huge potential.

Wide receivers will be a large group comprised of Ryan Palmer, Will Ferry, Jack Hipchen, Cole Cheripka, Tim Wink, Anthony Guarino. The Vikings also have a nice-sized tight end in Devin Dinham, (6-3, 200) who has impressed many during 7-on-7 drills this summer.

The Vikings' defense, which struggled at times last season, should be faster, but will also lean a lot on youth.

The front four will be comprised of juniors Sam Carver (6-1 230), Michael Nale (6-4, 190) and Tafarra Okammar (6-2, 185). Dinham will be the only senior up front.

Bilek, who played well last year at linebacker, will anchor that group along with junior Nate Stevens and sophomore Jason Haas.

Hipchen and the hard-hitting Ben Kurka will be at the corners while Rattin will be joined by younger brother Joey, who is a sophomore, and junior Ryan Palmer at safety.

Sponsel said the return to the past has dividends thus far.

"We have rallied behind that," Sponsel said. "They are into the history of Fremd and the tradition, and that's what we want."