By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

• Head Coach: Nathan Brode, 10th year (2nd at Waterloo), 35-53 career record (0-10 at Waterloo).
• Coaching Staff: Steven Yuhasz, defensive coordinator, offensive line, defensive line, strength and conditioning; Bill Huber, linebackers, offensive line; Evan Richmond, quarterbacks, linebackers, special teams coordinator.
• 2025 Record: 0-10.
• Returning Lettermen (9): Keyshawne King, sr.; Hayden Mays, sr.; Hunter Magnus, jr.; Jeremiah Hayes, jr.; Kaeden Sullivan, jr.; Evan Reakes, soph.; Kody Boles, soph.; Zane Flaitz, soph.; Carter Kassinger, soph.
• Lettermen Lost (4): Xavier Rebecchi, Dominic Harouff, Aiden Conrad, Dalton Braybon.

THE OFFENSE

The Vikings are planning for a Spread offense, with the use of motion and misdirection, as well as play-action, to keep the defense from getting comfortable.

“The expectations are to end each drive with a kick — an extra point or field goal,” said head coach Nathan Brode.

Brode said he plans to utilize the tight end, while mixing in a variety of four- and five-receiver sets.

QUARTERBACKS

Keyshawne King is described by Brode as the team’s “do-it-all athlete.”

While King will get some time as quarterback, he will also bounce all over the field on offense and will also be in the backfield and out wide as a receiver.

“He is coming off a pretty good season last year, where he led the team in rushing yards, receiving yards, fumble recoveries, defensive touchdowns and kick-return average,” Brode said.

King rushed for 581 yards, had 244 yards receiving and scored nine touchdowns.

“We look to him to take another leap forward this season.”

Also expected to get time at quarterback are sophomore Kody Boles and Sayid El-Qawlaq.

RUNNING BACKS

In addition to King being one of the team’s primary ball-carriers, junior Jeremiah Hayes will also be featured out of the backfield.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The line is comprised of Zane Flaitz, Hayden Xiong, Evan Reakes, Hunter Magnus, Carter Kassinger, Jedd Gurnish and Parker McDonald.

RECEIVERS

Hayden Mays, who is one of only two seniors on the roster alongside King, is one of the team leaders that Brode said he expects will continue his trajectory of improvement.

“Hayden returns as a starter on both sides of the ball, and we look to him to also lead our team this season,” Brode said.

Juniors Aiden Wilson and Kaeden Sullivan, along with sophomores Josh McClinsey, Kody Boles and freshman Trae White, will also see time.

THE DEFENSE

“We want to be aggressive both inside the trenches and outside on the edge,” Brode said. “We want our guys to cause turnovers at a high rate and swing the momentum in our favor.”

LINEBACKERS

Jeremiah Hayes is the anchor defensively.

“He has had a tremendous off-season inside the weight room and has also been a leader on the field this summer,” Brode said.

Hunter Mangus, King and Sullivan are the other starters for the Vikings, with Gurnish and White also on the depth chart.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The positions across the line will be filled out by White, Kassinger, McDonald, Xiong, Flaitz and Reakes.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

King will also spend time in the secondary depending on circumstances, with Mays, Wilson, Boles and El-Qawlaq also filling out the positions.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Kody Boles, soph.; Evan Reakes, soph.; Sayid El-Qawlaq.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Depth is going to be a huge concern for us. Injuries or lack there of will have a huge impact on the season.”