POSEN – The Posen Vikings enjoyed their best season a year ago as they turned in a perfect regular season and won a playoff game before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Cedarville in the regional final.

With several key players now gone, the Vikings are hoping the increased number of players on this year’s roster can help the program continue to succeed.

“We have a good group of kids coming back that have some playoff experience and we’re going to try and build on it,” Posen coach Greg Pietsch said. “I think we’re strong on the offensive and defensive line. I really think we are going to be solid defensively.”

The Vikings have a great mix of talent this year led by Darren Dubie, Chase Schellie, Brady Chojnacki, Caleb Reese and Kelsey Jakubcin who are all going to make up the tremendous line play that Posen is going to rely on during the 2016 season.

After losing a few reliable two-way players from a season ago, the Vikings are hoping that Levi Romel, Dylan Schuch and Nathan Mulka can build off of great individual seasons a year ago and lead Posen back to the playoffs.

“I’m expecting a lot of big things from all of my players this year and I’m expecting some of my more experienced players to step up and do some great things,” Pietsch said.

Izaiah Hincka and George Styma have made great strides coming into the season and are ready to make an impact this season. Andrew Hall will see some time in the backfield and at a receiver position as he looks to be poised for a breakout season.

Hincka and Schuch are in a battle at the quarterback position and both could see time under center and at receiver positions throughout the course of the year. Styma will see time at wide receiver and Romel will see time in the backfield in what may seem like a bit of surprise, but the Vikings feel that Romel will be a great weapon to pound the football in backfield. Romel was an offensive lineman last season, but will have a bigger role this year.

“It can be a challenge when you’re not experienced, but it’s a new year and a lot of these kids have a lot of experience at the JV level and it’s good to see them come up to the varsity level and be more mature and step in with confidence and be able to play,” Pietsch said.

The expectations are extremely high for the Vikings in 2016 and after their magical season a year ago, but Posen is ready to once again exceed expectations and try and put together another playoff run.

“Kids are really excited about playing football because the expectations are so high and I think that’s what happens when you win is a lot carries over from the following season,” Pietsch said. “Our goals are to try and get every kid to their full potential, physically and mentally and then build them into the best possible football play and then try and mold that team together and that’s what we’re going to do.”