By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

High school football preview capsule for the Waterloo Vikings’ 2022 season.

Head Coach: Mike Devies, 8th year; 20-52 career record.

Coaching Staff: Nathan Peters, offensive coordinator; Jeff Sharkey, defensive coordinator; Jon Jarrett, offensive and defensive lines; John Foster, wide receivers and linebackers.

2021 Recap: 3-7 overall record; 2-4 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division.

Lettermen Lost (3): Bobby Makin, Mason Duncan, Jeremy Loar.

Offensive Outlook: The Vikings will operate out of a single-wing and with an experienced group of offensive linemen returning, the team looks to control the game through its rushing attack.

“We can have a successful season if we can learn how to finish games,” head coach Mike Devies said.

Quarterbacks: Waterloo will not start a typical “quarterback” this season. Instead, they will use the running backs out of its single-wing offense to start the offense.

Running Backs: Jayden Hakin gained experience as a ball-carrier last season and will be joined in the backfield by Chance Moore and Austin Hurst.

Edgar Paulino, Evan Kugler, Bobby Harouff, Justin Fox and Aric May will all see action as well.

Offensive Line: The most experienced position on the team this season includes Austin Wise, Spencer Shepherd, Nathan Roberts, Bradyn Robinson, Owen Plymale and Buddy Rebecca.

Wide Receivers: Dakota Finney, Jake Hermann, Aidan Hall, Landon McClain and Matthew Ralston will all line up on the outside.

Defensive Outlook: Defensive coordinator Nathan Peter’s will have the  Vikings line up in multiple fronts, with a 3-4 base.

Defensive Backs: The group will include Bobby Harouff, Hakin, May, Mc/Clain, Hall and Ralston.

Linebackers: An aggressive group led by Paulino, Finney, Kugler, Fox, Hurst and Moore.

Defensive Line: Similar to the offensive line, a position of strength with Wise, Shepherd, Plymale, Jacob Kunka and Robinson.

From the Coach’s Eyes: “We have great kids. There are no egos and they just come to work everyday.”

Underclassmen to Watch: Buddy Rebecca, Brady Hakes.

Something New: The Waterloo Vikings’ redesigned their helmet for the 2022 season. The new look features a maroon base shell color and a white wing-like design that sweeps from front to back.