Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

BERTRANDVIKINGS
Team Phelps
www.PhelpsMemorial.com
By: Spencer Schubert
The 2016 football season was
one of change for the Bertrand
Vikings. Not only did they
change their opponents, like
every team on the two-year
schedule rotation, but Bertrand
also changed classes.
The Vikings jumped from Class
D2 to Class D1, and unfortunately
for the fellas in blue, it showed in
the win-loss column.
Bertrand went 5-3 in 2015 in
Class D2, but last season they
only tallied two wins on the year
compared to six losses.
The schedule also didn’t
do Bertrand many favors,
considering three of their
opponents were 7-1 or better by
the end of the season.
With 2017 comes the chance for
the Vikings to turn the page,
however. Now, they’re not
necessarily the “newbies” in
Class D1, and their schedule will
feel familiar. Not to mention,
they have a head coach in Steve
Colfack who knows how to win,
sporting a 125-99 career coaching
record.
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Vikings
Class: D1
2016 Record: 2-6
Playoff Appearances: 23
Head Coach: Steve Colfack
Career Record: 125-99
Assistant Coaches: Mark Dethlef,
Bill Ford, Craig Newcomb
Bertrand has a unique set-up
this year, too. They have five
returning starters on both sides
of the ball, but only one player on
the entire team is a senior - star
running back/linebacker Wyatt
Wilken. Colfack said the rare
make-up of the team will test his
guys early and often.
“With only one senior on the
team, the juniors will have to take
on a huge role,” Colfack said.
“We will have an inexperienced
line, but hopefully can build it
into a strength.”
The 2017 schedule will mirror
the 2016 edition, which means
Bertrand will have a tall task at
hand. Six of the eight teams on
the ledger made the playoffs last
season, with three of those teams
winning their opening round
game. Colfack said with his team
getting another crack at many of
the same guys, he feels that can
only be a positive.
“We had too many mistakes last
year, but if we can improve in
this area, we will be fine in a very
tough district,” Colfack said.
The Vikings are sure to be led
by Wilken in the backfield
offensively, who has been timed
by coaches over the summer with
a 4.7 second 40-yard dash, which
on an 80-yard field can certainly
do some damage.
“He is a big and powerful
player,” Colfack said of Wilken.
“Look for him to have a good
year. He (also) had 74 tackles last
year.”
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Amherst
9/1 Elm Creek
9/8 @ South Loup
9/22 Cambridge
9/29 @ Overton
10/6 @ Alma
10/13 Southwest
10/19 @ Medicine Valley
Colfack also is hoping to see good
production from a few of his
top juniors, including fullback/
linebacker Jordan Holan, who
was hampered by a foot injury
for much of 2016.
Junior Tyler Callahan is expected
to be back under center for
Bertrand as well, after running
for nearly 300 yards and passing
for more than 500 yards in 2016.
Colfack said it’s the combination
of Callahan’s feet and arm that he
hopes to exploit in 2017.
The Vikings kick off the year with
two-straight home games after
being road warriors out of the
gate in 2016. They’ll host Amherst
on Aug. 25th. Then, they’ll
welcome in a tough Elm Creek
squad the following week.
Key Players:
Wyatt Wilken (6’0” 205 lbs) Sr.
RB/LB
Jordan Holan (5’9” 175 lbs) Jr.
FB/LB
Tyler Callahan (5’9” 170 lbs) Jr.
QB/DB
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