There had been a reluctance for Midway football to move from 11-man to 8-man, but this year the change was made and Coach Kyle Schenker said it appears to be good move.
Schenker said he understood the feeling of tradition at Midway which includes six state championships, but the school was not drawing the number of players it had in previous years and that was taking a toll.
“The community reception was initially skeptical due to program tradition, but the transition has been largely embraced, and I am as excited about the upcoming season as I was in any of my 33 years of 11-man football. It seems different, but when you get down to it the game is same its about blocking and tackling.
“We have 27 players out and the move has changed us from short on depth to depth being an advantage. Last year we had 20 kids and we were, in every game, but our kids weren’t ever able to get off the field and it was just exhausting. The numbers will catch up with you,” Schenker said.
He noted the team played in a summer team camp in Archie which taught his staff and players a great deal.
“We were still all new to everything, and we needed to figure some things out. And we just got better as the day went on because we were installing changes,” Schenker said. “It really helped we were able to play the really good teams, you know, the Lockwoods and the Archies and the Concordias, those top tier teams.
“When it came to jamboree time (last Friday) we were able to show some of the things we figured out.”
Schenker said he thinks his team could make waves in its first year at the 8-man level.
“I am very optimistic,” Schenker said. “I just think if the coaches don’t mess it up, the kids can be very successful.”
He noted team speed, experience and size on the line will all make the Vikings formidable in 2026.
Running the offense will be senior quarterback Blake Russ.
“He was the quarterback last year and I think this year he is going to flourish,” Schenker said. “He broke his leg in our first playoff game, but he’s worked his butt off and he is as fast and as strong as before.”
Adding speed to the Viking offense will be wide receivers Clay Edmonds, Jonathon McAfee and Gavin Oberlander.
McAfee is a newcomer, but was a 400 runner for the Vikings track team whom Schenker said, “he runs like a deer.” Oberlander is also the team’s kicker.
At tight end the Vikings will be paced by Aadon Claypool, a senior who also plays middle linebacker.
Running backs will include Jackson Gorman and Josiah Stramm.
Up front the Vikings will have three experienced linemen in Shaye Gartman at center, Maverick Wunder and Tanner Kuntz at guard. Providing depth will be Brandon Young, back after an ACL injury.
“Our line is beefy and an experienced unit,” Schenker said.
How things come together for the first season in 8-man will soon be known as the Vikings travel to Osceola to open play tomorrow night. Gametime is 7 p.m.
