The Vikings feel battle tested and ready for the upcoming challenge after a series of Pre-Season scrimmages. After beginning practice on Monday January 18th they traveled to Florida State University four short days later to scrimmage both FSU and Division II Florida Southern. The young Vikes' took their lumps and learned from their mistakes before facing cross-town rival and another Division II opponent in Shorter University the following weekend. Both experiences proved valuable to the Vikings and pointed out some areas that need improvement.
The finals scrimmages of the Pre-Season were held last weekend Feb 5th and 6th where Friday nights game featured a Blue v. White game selected by Captains Garrett Miller and Jake Emche with the victor earning the prestigious 'cooler' filled with Capri Suns and candy bars unbeknownst to both teams. Saturdays rematch in the "ManMaker Game" was hotly contested with the victory again coming by way of the Offensive team captained by Senior Attacker Jake Emche.
After 3 weeks of intense practicing and conditioning, last nights practice (Tues) was equally competitive and has the 2016 Vikings squad poised and ready to play host this weekend to Colorado College on Friday at 3:30 and again on Sunday at 1:00 pm vs. Methodist College.
The Sunday Methodist game features both sibling rivalry and coaches 'returning home'. The Methodist College squad coached by Zach Nedbalski, was the former Assistant Coach at Berry College in its fledgling years and he is assisted by Berry '15 alumni Max Smerka. Methodist College also features Jake Smerka and Chris Lombardi, both of whom are younger brothers to Berry '15 alumni Max Smerka and Kyle Lombardi.
Alumni will be in full force this weekend as the Vikings host both contests in their brand-new state of the art facility Valhalla Stadium.
I hope you too will be able to join us in the excitement and Go Vikings!
