PRZNY Team Previews: Grand Island Vikings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A roller coaster ride is one way of describing Grand Island's 2025 season. The Vikings moved up to Class A last year and I really didn't know what to expect from them. But a 45-14 blowout win to Class B favorite Iroquois in Week 1 opened a lot of eyes. That would set the tone as all but one of their contests were decided by two or more scores; including 1 shutout loss and 3 shutout wins. They entered the playoffs as the #8 seed and upset #1 ranked Williamsville North before getting eliminated by the eventual Class A champions, McKinley Macks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1864262"],"_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-6a69a7972193b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After an impressive freshman season on JV, Mantione broke out huge as a sophomore in his first season on varsity. He is a dual threat QB that led the Vikings in passing and rushing. His accuracy is fantastic and he is considered one of the top recruits for the Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three X-Factors</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1864299"],"_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-6a69a7972199e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first saw O'Brien when he was playing JV and he showed a lot of potential. He made his varsity debut last season and it seems he has transitioned well. He is built more like a DB but has the mechanics of a sound LB. He hits with force and is excellent from sideline to sideline. I expect Riley to lead Grand Island in tackles once again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2257788,"_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-6a69a79721a19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Uribes was used sparingly as a sophomore but he has solid size as a WR/DE/LB tweener. He may also be used as a TE and with many players graduating, Chase has the opportunity to take on a much larger role for the Vikings this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2257791,"_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-6a69a79721a89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Favorite was a top underclassmen from the 2025 season. He is a WR/DB hybrid and very athletic. He is a ballhawk on defense and I have heard that he may switch to Running Back and be their leading ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Player</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1864308"],"_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-6a69a79721af2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilkes played WR and CB for the Vikings last season. He has good ball handling technique and gets it at its highest point. KJ is incredibly fast in open space and possesses excellent awareness and sound balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Names to Know</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><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></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2206312' first='Aiden' last='Horvath']</td><td>2029</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Blake DeLoreto</td><td>2027</td></tr><tr><td>QB/WR</td><td>Jayden Neville</td><td>2028</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Losses</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><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">Commitment/Contributions</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Jonathan Neville</td><td>St. John Fisher</td></tr><tr><td>RB/LB</td><td>Dominic Nucci</td><td>Erie Community College</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>Owen Rosetti</td><td>Alfred University</td></tr><tr><td>DE</td><td>Aiden Galligan</td><td>Team high in sacks</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2257212,"width":"422px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/Grand-Island-2026-Schedule.jpg?w=183" alt="" class="wp-image-2257212" style="width:422px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> Dean Santoro (entering 26th season)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Island's schedule looks to be generally favorable with the majority of their opponents looking to find their identity. The Vikings start off against a talented and well coached Starpoint team and will finish against Williamsville East (who had a Cinderella season last year) and South Park, whose always been a team to contend with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class A in Section VI is wide open with Health Sciences going to AA and McKinley to B (3 of Grand Island's 4 losses last season were against them). The Vikings have the talent to win their division and bring home their first Section VI title in over 20 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->