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Okay, just a few quick notes to pass along as we enter Week 10 - playoff week. The Vikings are all set to travel to Bethel Saturday for a 7:00 pm kick. We will have full coverage of 8-1 Bethel - the state's ninth ranked team.
We've reached out to South Sound expert Doug Pacey, Prep Coordinator of the Tacoma News Tribune and he has graciously agreed to be our guest and answer any questions we may have about Bethel or the SPSL. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments section, and I will prepare a Q and A for Doug later tonight.
A few housekeeping notes: We've updated the Viking season stats, and the current numbers are accurate through week nine. The stats are located on the right column of the blog homepage. Also, we've edited and reposted Mike Anderton's game story with a photo.
Stats
Taking a deeper look at the season stats, and a few things are becoming clear...here are a some tidbits and opinions gleaned from the latest stats:
--- While Brandon Belcher continues to lead the team in tackles, it is becoming more and more apparent that DE/DT Jordan Eckstrom is the team's defensive MVP. Eckstrom is third in tackles and leads the team with six sacks. Further, his play has verged on dominant in the second half of the season, as he has stepped up in the wake of numerous Viking injuries.
--- Senior LB Jason Mendel has also made his impact felt. Although he saw little action at the begining of the season, he has become the Vikes' steadiest tackler in the middle of the field. Mendel has lept to fourth on the tackles list, leads the team with three fumble recoveries, and is third with two sacks.
--- In the offensive department, junior WR Brandon Preslar has put some distance between himself and the other Viking receivers, due partly to injury and partly to his excellent recent play. Coming into the week, Preslar was second in Wesco North in receptions with 27, trailing Oak Harbor's Josh Higbee by one. After Preslar's eight catch performance Friday, it is likely that Preslar is in sole possession of the Wesco North receptions lead. Further, it appears that Preslar has locked up a spot on the Wesco North first team all conference squad.
--- With 1,111 yards rushing through nine games (although he only played in eight), Brennan Frost is only 37 yards off the single season record pace set by Isaac Molstre in 2006. Of course, Molstre rushed for 240+ yards in week ten...If the Vikes somehow get past Bethel, Frost has an excellent opportunity to add another record to his resume.
--- In the team department, the Vikes definitely have the look of a mediocre team, at least on paper. Opponents have outscored the Vikes on the season 213 to 169. The biggest disparity comes in the first quarter, where the Vikes have been outscored 83 to 37. The Vikes have been a slow starting team throughout recent seasons, but this is quite a disparity. On the other hand, the Vikes have won the second and fourth quarters, showing a willingness to come from behind.
--- Opponents have outgained the Vikes 302 to 284 on average, opponents have outrushed the Vikes 169 to 121 on average, opponents have earned 151 first downs to Lake's 118, and the Vikes are more penalized than opponents by an average of 49 to 47 yards per game. In the passing game, Lake has thrown one less touchdown and two more interceptions than its opponents.
--- In the good news department: Lake is averaging a robust 5.7 yards per offensive play, as compared to opponents' 4.9. This is indicative of a big play offense defined by Frost's long touchdown dashes. Also, Lake has outpassed opponents by nearly 30 yards per game.
That's all we have for now, more to come after practice.