Team Preview – North Mecklenburg Vikings
As we get closer to the start of the season, we will be taking a look at team previews from across the Charlotte Metro Area. We have a lot of talented players here in the city, and every year there…
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Continue ReadingAs we get closer to the start of the season, we will be taking a look at team previews from across the Charlotte Metro Area. We have a lot of talented players here in the city, and every year there are new faces that will become the star of their teams on Friday Nights. We’ll take a look at them, as well as the overall team prospects for the upcoming year!
The North Meck Vikings have been a program that has had some good talent come through the building over the past few years, and last year Head Coach Damon McKee was able to put that talent together and achieve a winning season with a 6-4 record and a berth in the State Playoffs, a big step in the right direction in rebuilding this Viking program. There is a lot of great history and tradition with the Vikings, so let’s take a look at who is stepping into the spotlight this season.
QB1 for the Vikings looks to be Bocar Ly, a player I featured previously in an Under The Radar QBs in Charlotte article. He has some great size and has looked good in 7-on-7 competition this summer – his dual-threat ability will help keep the chains moving all season long. Isaiah Mckee at Running Back looks very fluid and agile and has good vision. He has the speed to run away from you in the open field as well, and he should have opportunities to make some big plays. A very young player, Landon Gilmore, shows some great promise and should have a bright future in Viking blue and red. North Meck has some good-looking wide receivers – Rykin Maxwell is new to the program, but he is an accomplished receiver who can excel in the screen game and can play some safety on defense also. Ashton Smith is a 6’2 receiver who runs some good routes and has good hands to make tough catches over the middle. Sadat Grant is a younger player who has a bright future and could tribute some at WR this season.
Ola Olasimbo on the OL has had a great offseason and has picked up multiple offers from schools, and that should continue to increase as the season gets started. He should anchor the offensive line this year for the Vikings. On the defensive line, Justice Jordan is a player who I saw firsthand dominate on the JV level and I am excited to see how he can contribute this season going into his junior year. DL Charles House is a 2025 player I have profiled before, and he already has an offer to Liberty. His future is very bright and with his size and explosiveness off of the ball, he could be one of the next best defensive linemen coming from the Charlotte area.
LB/Edge Demoris Jenkins is a 6’5 explosive player who is committed to East Carolina. He does an excellent job of just wreaking havoc on whatever side of the defense he lines up on. Coming off the edge, he is extremely fast, and he shows an ability to cover in space and make tackles in the open field. The Vikings also have one of the best kickers in the state in Gilberto Lorenzana who has started to pick up multiple offers from local schools. He can consistently put the ball in the end zone for touchbacks, and make field goals with good range and accuracy, which is a major plus for any program!
Overall, Coach McKee has the Vikings trending in the right direction and he has done an excellent job in getting the Vikings back to respectability in the toughest conference in the state. I’m excited to see if they can take another step this upcoming season.