Editor’s Note: I would personally like to thank Mert Carlson for creating this Football Program for our Youth.  They learn so much that will carry with them no matter what sport they are out for.  Thank you to the coaches Scott Bloomquist, Mike Nissen, Chris Wilken and Dave Kleinschmitt for their time and expertise with our kids.  This program means a lot to these kids and we look forward to next year.

The young V-8’s, all ten of them ventured to Allen for a position-round game to determine final standings in the Jr. NFL (Nebr Football League).   The weatherman was a good predictor as gloomy conditions even made it onto the gridiron affecting the V-8’s in their finale against, who else, Allen.

Several players had to switch to some new positions which made for some interesting action of the field.  Christian Wilken, normally the anchor on the offensive line, took his turn in running from the I-back position.  It took him a few snaps to get the action down, but later in the game had some excellent power runs.

Brice Barney and Austin Gillilan were switching off from Fullback duties to offensive line positions too.   They had a blast in trying to fit into the normal scheme and when it was over, they will tell you, ‘They had fun!’  These two boys also played some Wing back and carried the ball on a few reverses.

Allen scored early and had a 22-0 half time lead that expanded to 29-0 by the game’s end.  Their coach expressed some real growth with their team on this final game of the season by playing the hardest in any of the previous 5 games.  It is not known for sure, however, the young Mighty Vikes may have assisted their growth by being out-manned and out-played on this last game of the season.

Aiden Kleinschmitt, Vikes QB, tried to pass the ball on several occasions but the wind and conditions were too overwhelming.   His fourth quarter pass completion to Blake Bloomquist was exciting to see as this was her first catch of the season.  Normally, Aiden has in his sights, Darren Nissen and Ryan Kumm, whom on this day just couldn’t make things happen for the team.

Travis Gillilan was the Vikes Center for the year and enjoyed that thankless position despite playing most of the time against players twice as heavy.  Luc Bloomquist covered as a middle line backer and had several key tackles on the day showing that 4th graders can play this game.  Kolton Alexander played both O-line and D-line this game and made some key stops and causing a fumble, not on offense but defense, silly!

The players really had a fun time this season despite the W-L record, which only goes to prove that ‘winning is not everything’, as the late Coach Lombardi was quoted 5 decades ago.  Each of the Vikes coaching staff had a great time in working with our young players despite having half the numbers we played with last year.

Next season the players have vowed to come back 3” taller and with 20 lbs of more muscle to make for a very successful season.   They are reminded to being ‘pulling those tires’ as often as possible, running the hills and working all those Plyometric drills that were given them earlier in the year.  A little extra meat and potatoes wouldn’t hurt either, at least in the weight department!

Category: News