Vikings Short on Depth but Tall on Talent

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Story and Photos by Brennan Waldorf

With last year in the rearview mirror, the Broadwater Vikings look to improve. They went 2-7 last year, but head coach Eddie Spencer expects this year’s squad to have a higher number in the wins column.

Last year “we had trouble staying on the field, we couldn’t keep the numbers, partly because we couldn’t stay healthy,” said Spencer in his second year as head coach.
He plans on keeping the same system in play, thanks in part to a lot of his skill position players returning this year. “Last year we started with eight players, numbers were at 17 when we had our first game, finished with 14,” said Spencer who had 20 Vikings come out this year.

A team that saw three seniors leave its program, including starting QB/DB and captain Fin Kelly, will now look to rising junior Brant Bloxom, who alternated with Kelly at QB last year, to lead its offense.

The Vikings are short on depth but not talent with all-state kick return specialist Gunner Gustafson and second-team all-state TE Clay Wardius returning this season. They’ll look to anchor a team whose biggest win last year was at home against Chincoteague.

“Great game, two small schools, both teams even,” Spencer said of the game. Like most schools in the state, the Vikings lack depth, especially at the offensive line, but that doesn’t deter Spencer who has been coaching since he was 16, when he coached Little League.

“We’re looking to increase our wins, stay healthy, and improve on the field,” Spencer said.
Both Spencer and assistant coach Reid Hall are uncompensated for their duties, as are all the coaches at Broadwater Academy. They donate their time because they believe they have “a good school, good program, and great kids,” said Spencer.

A team that doesn’t have much of an offseason, due to most students being three-sport athletes, still managed to get some weightlifting and conditioning in before the season. Just like most teams, they started Aug. 1 and practiced in the evenings, Monday through Friday, from 6-8 p.m.

But this team isn’t a just a football team; they’re students first, so it’s not all fun and games. “Make the kids understand that they are here for an education. Football is a privilege,” said Spencer.

Until school and the season starts, this team will continue its course because “It ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Spencer said.

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