.jpg)
The Region Sports Network's Nathan Laird continues his “Three & Out” series with a look at the upcoming 2011 Duneland Athletic Conference football season.
Laird gives his three key points on each of the team. Below is the Valparaiso High School excerpt from the preview, but be sure to click here and read the full breakdown of the DAC and the Vikings' upcoming football season!
1st Down: Not too many people had Valpo on their radar as the best team in Northwest Indiana going in to the 2010 season (checked in at #7 in the RSN Poll, 15th in the Coaches Poll to start the season), but the Vikings aren’t going to have the luxury of flying under the radar this year. This team is stacked and everyone knows it. They are going to be playing with a target on their backs all season long. Whether that motivates them or puts too much pressure on them is something we’ll find out.
2nd Down: It all starts in the backfield for the Vikes with Andrew Kittridge and Bryon Duncan both return. Kittridge eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in 2010 and Duncan was just below it. Combine that powerful running attack with the return of quarterback Paul Andrie who really developed as the season went on last year, and the Viking skill position players are going to be able to put up plenty of points this season.
3rd Down: It’s been nine years since the Region has had a 5A team make it all the way to state, and the last team to make it is the team with the best shot this year – Valpo. While winning the DAC, a sectional title and a regional title for the second consecutive year would be a big accomplishment for the Vikes, the expectations are a trip to Indy. Can they be the team to finally get the Region over the semi-state hump that has bogged us down since 2002? They have a tough road ahead, but they might be as well prepared for that journey as any 5A team we’ve seen in awhile.