Thirty-three years into his coaching career at Inglemoor High, Frank Naish knows how to mix a hard-nosed style with some humor.
One minute, he’s pointing at players and barking out advice. About a half hour later, he’s joking with a parent in the grandstand: “Did you see your kid? He kicked the ball into the woods.”
It’s not known if the ball was retrieved from the tree-lined area near the Inglemoor football field during a recent practice. What is certain is that the Vikings are ready for some preseason action at Snohomish High at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 to kick off their 2011 campaign. The Viks finished 5-4 overall and 4-1 in league last year, qualifying for the playoffs, but they have their sights set on even better numbers this time out.
“The past few years, we’ve always been second place (4A) Kingco in our division, and for awhile that’s been an improvement,” said senior Niko Tupou, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound offensive and defensive lineman. “This year, we want that Kingco championship. Our goal: beat Bothell, beat everyone in our conference, make a name. Nobody’s really looking at us right now, but I think they’re gonna be in for a big surprise.”
Senior running back Junior Vi is set for the Snohomish game and noted the Vikings have been pumped for the season to start since they played spring ball.
While watching Vi from the sideline, one teammate said to another, “There he goes. I keep seeing him go back and forth.”
“It’s my last year, I can’t leave anything (out),” Vi said about giving it his all on each play. Last year Vi — who also plays defensive back — missed some games due to an MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury, but “I’m back at full strength and I’m ready to go,” added the 5-10, 155-pounder.
Along with Tupou and Vi, other top returners include seniors Davis Walker (running back, linebacker), offensive and defensive linemen Joe Coats and Derek Sharnbroich and junior offensive and defensive linemen Mikey Tupou and Titus Makasini.
Naish noted that he plans to rotate two quarterbacks against Snohomish — juniors Hans Fortune and Brendan Edwards look to be those guys.
“We’re young. If we can grow fast, we will be OK. We’ve got three quality nonleague opponents who will help the process,” said Naish, noting that his offensive and defensive linemen and running backs are strong with at least six all-Kingco-level guys, while the quarterback and wide-receivers positions need development.
Niko Tupou echoes Naish’s words: “I think in the past few years I’ve been here, we’ve always had speed, but I think this is the first year we’ve really got the size to put hurting on the line. All our line is averaging like 250 plus, except for one person. They’re fast, too, they’re ready to hit.”
At 6-4, 285, Makasini said he wants to put his shoulder pads into an opposing runner’s gut and “hit him until he cries.” After experiencing that “great feeling,” he plans to get back to the huddle and do it again.
Makasini said that it all begins in the weight room, where the players practically lived since last season ended. He added that Niko and Mikey’s father — and Makasini’s uncle — encouraged them to work hard and run tons to prepare for Kingco ball.
“What offseason?” joked Mikey Tupou (6-0, 225) about the continuous dedication the Vikings put toward their team. “It’s all fun for us. We love football.”
Vi and Mikey Tupou agree that Inglemoor players are a much tighter-knit group this year than in past seasons. Tupou said that they play well together as a result of hanging out together off the field. According to Vi, the Viking juniors are just as vital as the seniors: “We let them step up to the plate and show us what they got, because they make us better.”
SCHEDULE
• Sept. 2 at Snohomish
• Sept. 9 vs. Juanita
• Sept. 15 vs. Lake Stevens
• Sept. 23 at. Ballard (Memorial)
• Sept. 30 vs. Bothell
• Oct. 6 vs. Roosevelt
• Oct. 14 vs. Woodinville
• Oct. 21 at Garfield (Memorial)
* All games at 7 p.m.
