PRZNY Team Previews: Grand Island Vikings

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (4-5)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Island came out firing on all cylinders last season, winning their first three games by a combined score of 116-40. Although they would lose 4 of their final 5 contests, the Vikings still managed to make the sectional playoffs. In the first round, they traveled to Lockport where they were shutout by the Lions 26-0. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Prospect</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806966"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cf33d21fb2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806966' first='Dominic' last='Nucci'] is run stuffing MLB with a big frame. He has good vision and solid awareness. As a sophomore, not a lot was asked of him. But when he was called on, he proved to be an exemplary asset to Grand Island's defense. Nucci also proved to be a big bulldozer at FB rushing for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns. Dominic is set for a big breakout campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Three X-Factors</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213098"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1407429,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cf33d21fbe2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Listed as a Defensive Back, [player_tooltip player_id='1213098' first='Michael' last='Sole'] recorded 5 interceptions as a junior on his way to an All-State team selection. However, Sole's workload is figuring to increase this season as he will also be looking to be the team's leading rusher. He is fast with good cutting ability. He plays with sound instincts and should find his way to more accolades as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406458"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cf33d21fc4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1406458' first='Jon' last='Neville'] was by far Grand Island's best wideout last season leading the team in all categories. He is a prefect slot receiver that can run crisp routes and has solid hands. He runs the tough patterns over the middle and catches the hard passes. He is also a solid DB with good intuition and form tackling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1407432,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1579067' first='Anthony' last='Vaccaro']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"250","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grand Island","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cf33d21fd28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-way starter on the line for the Vikings, [player_tooltip player_id='1579067' first='Anthony' last='Vaccaro'] has good hand technique and plays with a high motor. As a DT, he is quick off the ball and is difficult to push around. As an Offensive Guard, he has an excellent reach block and is great at creating running lanes. He will be the catalyst to the Vikings success on the ground and defending the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1407434,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1742297' first='Nik' last='Korte']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grand Island","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cf33d21fdba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1742297' first='Nik' last='Korte'] was set to be the Vikings starting QB in 2023 but a broken collarbone in training camp ended those hopes. He is healthy now and after a season with a non-existent passing attack, the Vikings will be looking to the junior for a major boost through the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Names to Know</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false} --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Position</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>Matt Martin</td><td>2025</td><td>A two-way lineman that will be needed as a leader in his senior season</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Andrew Kozlowski</td><td>2026</td><td>A JV product that many people think can anchor their LB corps along with Nucci</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1864262' first='Anthony' last='Mantione']</td><td>2028</td><td>A freshman QB that is looking to start the season on JV but will be a name to watch as he is the consensus best QB from Class of '28 </td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Losses</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false} --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>QB</td><td>Brayden Willats</td><td>Mercyhurst (Baseball)</td></tr><tr><td>RB</td><td>Jacob Joseph</td><td>Leading rusher</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Elijah Linenfelser</td><td>Leading tackler</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Doug Crowley</td><td>All-WNY Lineman</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>9/6</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/yorkshire/pioneer-panthers/football/">@Pioneer</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-06-2024/football-24/grand-island-vs-pioneer.htm?c=TGyNqvFWeEmKYbfZldff8w">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/13</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/west-seneca/west-seneca-east-trojans/football/">@West Seneca East*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-13-2024/football-24/grand-island-vs-west-seneca-east.htm?c=KYsrjTDZ2UeQH2zfjKvR0Q">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/20</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/tonawanda/kenmore-east-bulldogs/football/">vsKenmore East*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-20-2024/football-24/grand-island-vs-kenmore-east.htm?c=ALdHihmyaUOQ2cXQcuzjow">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/amherst/sweet-home-panthers/football/">vsSweet Home</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/09-27-2024/football-24/grand-island-vs-sweet-home.htm?c=ZI0DyZgYH06yL4GPYfajGQ">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/amherst/amherst-central-tigers/football/">@Amherst Central*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-04-2024/football-24/amherst-central-vs-grand-island.htm?c=zQ6dbIXd7UqpNdBLxYuaCA">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/10</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/williamsville/williamsville-south-billies/football/">@Williamsville South*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-10-2024/football-24/grand-island-vs-williamsville-south.htm?c=x6u5TXDlkk-5lAcNTd9iCQ">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/18</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/east-amherst/williamsville-east-flames/football/">vsWilliamsville East</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-18-2024/football-24/grand-island-vs-williamsville-east.htm?c=82gHOjZqCku4WPMN-c55NQ">7:00pm</a></td></tr><tr><td>10/24</td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/buffalo/health-sciences-buffalo-academy-of-science-global-concepts/football/">vsHHSBASGC (CO-OP)*</a></td><td><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-24-2024/football-24/grand-island-vs-health-sciences-buffalo-academy-of-science-global-concepts.htm?c=lqFSBv98zEK8P5TTQ8MNiA">7:00pm</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Dean Santoro (Entering his 24th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Island is going down to Class B for the 2024 season and what a way to get introduced; by opening the year on the road to perennial powerhouse, Pioneer. After two other Class B games, the Vikings host Sweet Home. Last year, Sweet Home gave the Vikings their first loss 22-13. They close out the season against newly acquired rivals Williamsville South &amp; Health Sciences, along with a familiar foe Williamsville East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The</strong> Vikings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Youth. Most big time players on the Grand Island team are juniors or younger and several will be coming up from the JV program</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have a stout defense led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='806966' first='Dominic' last='Nucci'] that kept them in most of their games last year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A running game with [player_tooltip player_id='1213098' first='Michael' last='Sole'] and Nucci as lead blocker that should control the game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Size. There is nobody returning from last season that is over 6' and 250 lbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like what Grand Island has going for them. They have exciting playmakers in Sole and Neville. They also have an extremely bright future with Mantione at QB. Although they went down from the A2 division, they are entering the most competitive Class in Section VI in Class B. And with a very small O &amp; D Line, it will be an uphill battle to compete with many of these programs. There will be growing pains along the way but they will win some games and may even pull off an upset or two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->