Despite Tough Competition, Lakeview Ready For 2019 Season

COLUMBUS - Despite having some tough competition on their schedule, the Lakeview Vikings are ready for the challenge this upcoming season.

The Vikings are coming off a successful 2018 campaign that had a bittersweet ending, as despite a 6-3 record Lakeview narrowly missed out on a playoff berth. Lakeview began the season 4-0, but went 2-3 in the second half of the year, losing to teams such as Pierce, Wahoo, and Bishop Neumann.

Head Coach Kurt Frenzen says that even though the Vikings may have lost against some of the top teams in Class C1, he's still confident that his team can compete with the very best that the class has to offer.

"Our toughest teams that we lost to at the end of the season, they were all four quarter games and came down to just a few plays here and there," Frenzen said. "We can play with the best in the state, it's just a matter of taking care of the little things, making sure our effort is high and that we understand the importance of team chemistry and unity, if we can do those things, then this team has a shot to do some really nice things."

Lakeview ended the regular season ranked 15th out of the top 16 teams with regards to the playoff point standings, but once the district champions were determined, the Vikings found themselves bumped out of a playoff spot. Coach Frenzen says that being that close to the playoffs will help the players realize the importance of each and every game this season.

"They're going to have to win an extra game or so to make sure there's no doubt, so that we at least get into the top ten, but that's no easy task," Frenzen said. "Our schedule is dotted with top ten teams, and programs that have a proud and rich history. Teams that aren't going to start in the top ten are Boone Central and Wayne, and I feel those teams are as tough as any we're going to play."

Lakeview will begin the season next Friday night on the road against Fillmore Central, a team that they defeated 55-0 in last year's season opener. This season, however, Coach Frenzen says that the Panthers are going to be a much improved football team, and that the Vikings can't take them lightly if they want to get the 2019 season started in the right way.

"They have a bunch of underclassmen that have started and are all coming back, so I feel that they are going to be a much improved football team, and they're going to give us everything they have next week," Frenzen said. "The teams that are playing late in November, they don't care who they play, they prepare the same way each and every week, so it's going to be important for us to make sure we take that approach this season."