Coming into the season the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings football team had some question marks to deal with.
They lost a strong group of veterans and had some key positions to fill by either teaching the players coming up or moving players to other positions.
The Vikings progressed throughout the season and had their most successful season since joining the Saskatoon City 3A League.
The Vikings went 2-6 in throughout the regular season, but they won an exciting playoff game over Marion Graham, a team they lost to during the regular season. The win put the Vikings in the city championship game, which they lost to Bishop James Mahoney. BJM went on to prove they are the best 3A team in the province with a provincial championship.
Once again the Vikings will have a large turnover of key players, but those and the rest of the team had one last event to show their Vikings pride and celebrate the season that was.
The Vikings held their awards night and the Most Valuable Players came as a surprise to no one, as Tanner Craig won the award. The tailback was in the backfield for the first time this season, as he had played the early part of his football career as a defensive back. Craig was the backbone of the Vikings ground and pound game and as he had nearly 200 yards on two occasions this season.
The Most Outstanding Lineman Award was presented to another player who will be graduating from the football program. Jordan "Jumbo" Elliot was the team's best lineman. He has experience on provincial teams and was a player the Vikings counted on heavily for leadership and blocking in their offensive play package.
Staying on offence, first year quarterback Taylor Reiley was named the True Viking. As the season went on the Vikings got better and so to did their quarterback. Reiley stepped into the prominent position this season after playing a different offensive position last season.
Austin Heintz was named the team's most outstanding backfielder. This award was created to include running backs, receivers, linebackers and defensive backs making it more prominent among teammates. Heintz complimented Craig in the backfield with a one-two punch that had most defences on their heels.
The final senior award handed out was to Dalton Landrie. Landrie stepped up as a leader on the Vikings' talented defence this season and was the winner of the undergrad award. He will be a cornerstone on the Vikings' defence next season, which could be the strength of the team in 2013.
"It was a great year, which speaks both to the character of our players and the wealth of knowledge that the Vikings' staff brought every day," said head coach Jamie Sommerfeld.
