By Dale Miller
dale.miller@theindependent.com

With nine seniors, including seven returning starters, the Vikings sport a wealth of experience going into today's season opener at home against Kearney.

"With nine seniors, that's a lot of experience," said coach Roger Doud, who is beginning his 11th season. "It'll be a matter of building a lot of depth with the younger kids."

Returning starters from last year's 13-5 team are midfielder Ryan Doud, stopper Nate Peters, midfielder Jason Ogdon, goalkeeper Adam Wemhoff, midfielder Brandon Kucera, forward Matt Smith and midfielder Brad Rauert.

Defender Andrew Larson is another returning senior letterwinner, and foreign exchange student Fredric Johansson is working well with the team, Doud said.

"Our seniors have a played a lot of years together," Doud said. "My son's class has been playing together since U-8s. Now they want to take the next step. It'll come down to the supporting cast."

The seniors are working to help that supporting cast improve daily.

"I like how the seniors are working with the underclassmen," Doud said. "I have a lot of coaches on the field. That's a luxury. They've been playing together for 12 years. I like what they carry to the table."

Junior forward Chris Morriss will help out, Doud said.

Some underclassmen he expects to see significant playing time include sophomores Gustavio Bauer, Michael Marian and Bouji Flores and freshmen Edu Flores and Julian Monaserio.

The Vikings have been hampered by injuries and illness during the preseason.

"The kids are kind of gimpy right now," Doud said. "We're hobbling and not at full speed. Some key players have been out with the flu.

"One of the things you look at preseason is trying to develop chemistry. When kids are out sick, that hurts a bit. But I like the chemistry we are developing. ... If we get healthy and stay healthy, we'll point to districts."

Doud feels today's contest against the Bearcats will give Northwest a good sign of where it is at.

"Opening with Kearney is always a challenge," Doud said. "They're the only team that took it to us and beat us by multiple goals last year.

"We have Kearney, then (Columbus) Lakeview, who is much, much improved. Then we come back with (Grand Island) Senior High and York. We open the year with some challenges."

Schedule

March18, Kearney; 20, at Columbus Lakeview; 25, at Grand Island Senior High; 27, York; 29, at North Platte vs. Gering and Scottsbluff.

April1, at Holdrege; 5, Viking Cup; 10, Central Conference Tournament; 14, at Seward; 17, at Hastings; 21, Columbus Scotus; 22, Crete.