HSFT19 Stop #44 — North Pontotoc Vikings

Brought to you by:

ECRU, Miss. (WCBI) — Coming off an 11-2 record, the North Pontotoc Vikings are eager to start another season following last year’s success.

“We know what it feels like,” said senior wide receiver West Sutton. “We got a little taste so we want to have that again.”

“We kind of fell apart at the end at North Panola, but I feel like that just gives us a little taste of what it’s like and we need to be in that same spot next year,” said senior safety and wide receiver Hayes Malone.

A huge part of that success was starting quarterback and 2018 Endzone Defensive Player of the Year Corley Hooper.

“He was definitely a great player. He played both sides of the ball the whole game. Probably 2 of the most tiring positions. It’ll be hard to fill his shoes but I think we have some guys who will step up,” said Sutton.

“I don’t know if you do replace Corley because I think that’s unfair to anybody that’s trying to step into those shoes,” said head coach Andy Crotwell. “There’s a lot of different ways to produce those yards, those tackles, those touchdowns that don’t involve one singular individual or specific scheme. There’s a lot of different ways to be successful.”

The Vikings will have to rely on a veteran offensive line and 2 year starting running back Piers Griffin as the team shapes into form.

“Every year presents, unless you have all 11 coming back, you’ll have a new identity. Even if you do have all 11 coming back, sometimes you have a new identity due to experience so that will be the challenge. It’s finding that identity,” said Crotwell.

Establishing an identity will be key as the Vikings join the Class 4A ranks.

“Going back into 4A. We’ve been there before. We know it’s going to be a little tougher, but we think we can hang with them,” said Sutton.

North Pontotoc opens the season at home August 23rd against Saltillo.