RABBITTOWN — Change is the theme for the Vikings in 2018.
New coaching staff, new quarterback, new offensive focus... And yet East Hall believes any thoughts of its demise are beyond premature.
Last season brought East Hall its first playoff win since 1993, advancing to the second round. But gone are 11-year head coach Bryan Gray and dynamic quarterback Austin Parker.
New coach Scott Patrick and his staff, however, feel they can build off the program's best season in 24 years.
“We lost a lot of talent, I know," Patrick said. "But we also return a lot of talent, and we have some young guys we think will step up for us. While I know people out there expect us to take a big step back, we feel like we’re just getting started.
The Vikings return their entire offensive line -- seniors Gio Rebollar, J.D Lee, Athyn Thurmond, Marco Gonzalez, Carlos Zargoza, and Daniel Restrepo. Meanwhile, bruising running back Cambren Harrison also returns and should get plenty of help from talented receivers in junior Mon Prather and senior Kylan Curry.
The quarterback battle to replace Parker has been fierce with junior Kyle Baugh, senior Zander Mann, and freshmen Clete Cooper and Christian Torres all showing abilities -- though no player has fully separated and taken control.
The defense should be improved with three linemen returning and a solid secondary led by Prather and Curry, who both have potential for breakout seasons.
The key to the campaign, however, could be six road games, including a brutal four-game stretch starting at Union County and ending with their Region 7-3A opener against Greater Atlanta Christian. They do get Dawson County, Cherokee Bluff, and North Hall at Valhalla, and any run toward a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons may require they hold serve at home in Region 7-3A play.
EAST HALL: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Vikings
- TEAM COLORS: Black and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 7-3A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Scott Patrick, first season
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-5, reached second round Class 3A playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: QB Austin Parker (led all classifications in passing yards in 2017), WR Sedrion Morse, WR Tripp Rider, WR Amir Ellison, FS/WR Austin Brock, CB Giezi Barrientos
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread/multiple -- The Vikings have plenty of talent and experience on the line and at running back, and fans may see a few more running wrinkles in 2018.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 8 returning starters -- Sr. OL Gio Rebollar, Sr. OL J.D Lee, Sr. OL Athyn Thurmond, Sr. OL Marco Gonzalez, Sr. OL Carlos Zargoza, Sr. OL Daniel Restrepo, Sr. RB Cambren Harrison, Jr. RB/WR Drew Highfield, Jr. WR Mon Prather, Sr. WR Kylan Curry
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- The Vikings will look to use their speed and athleticism to break up offensive attacks before they can get going.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. DL Gio Rebollar, Sr. DL Athyn Thurmond, Sr. DL Cambren Harrison, Jr. DB Drew Highfield, Jr. DB Mon Prather, Sr. DB Kylan Curry, Sr. LB Will Tally, Sr. LB E.J. Finch, So. DB Xzavier Ramsey
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. KR Kylan Curry, Jr. KR Mon Prather, several battling for PK and P duties
- STRENGTH: Lines of scrimmage -- The Vikings will be solid along both lines with five starters returning on offense and three on defense. The offense will exhibit a different focus to reflect the strength up front with more of a ground-game approach behind Harrison and Highfield. The defense should be more physical up front, allowing LBs Tally and Finch and an athletic secondary, led by Prather and Curry, to make more plays.
- QUESTION: QB play/Special teams -- With four potential sutiors to try and fill the shoes of Parker, the QB spot could be a week-by-week decision. No kickers had stepped up going into fall practice, and Patrick said several candidates will be considered heading into the opener against Flowery Branch.
- KEY GAMES: The Vikings have six road games, including a brutal four-game stretch ending with the 7-3A opener at GAC. They play just one home game, the opener against the Falcons, in the first 6 weeks. They do get key region foes Dawson County and North Hall as well as newcomer Cherokee Bluff at home and will need to hold serve to stay in the playoff race.
- TRENDING: Coming off their best season in nearly a quarter of a century has the Vikings on an upswing. But with a new coaching staff, a slightly altered offensive approach, and no Austin Parker, the 2018 season could be either a transition season, or a continuing of the momentum built off 2017.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 vs. Flowery Branch
Aug. 24 at Union County
Aug. 31 at Woodland (Cartersville)
Sept. 7 at Chestatee
Sept. 21 at Greater Atlanta Christian*
Sept. 28 vs. Dawson County*
Oct. 5 at Fannin County*
Oct. 12 vs. Cherokee Bluff*
Oct. 26 vs. North Hall*
Nov. 2 at Lumpkin County*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
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