VIKINGS DO IT AGAIN! QUALIFY FOR THE 22ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR!

Almost a year to the day after the serious injury to our teammate and fellow Viking Brett Green, the Vikes returned to LD Bell HS and qualified for a state record 22nd consecutive time.

The Vikings went 4-0 and seemed to get stronger as the day went on. The wind was blowing 15-20 mph out of the SE and was gusting higher at times. In spite of that, QB Jack Dawson through the ball very accurately all day including some pin point deep shots for TD's.

Defensively the Vikings were dominant particularly in the first half of games. In 4 games the Vikings allowed 0, 0, 13, 13 points for a total of just 6.5 points per half. This puts a lot of pressure on the opponents to play "catch up" and throw deeper or more risky throws in the 2nd half in order to try to score more quickly or at all. Overall the Viking allowed 20 points per game while the Viking offense was good for 38 points per game. That is an 18 point (3 score) differential which shows the Vikes really were finishing games over the course of the day. Braxton Thomas and Harrison Griffith each had 2 interceptions and James Douglas had one.

Offensively we were equally effective. While the deep throws mentioned above were impressive to watch, it is our play mixture that is keeping other defenses off balance. We have a great TE who knows how to get open and catches everything; speed and great hands at the slot and running back positions and two of the very best wide receivers in the area. When you combine that with a 3 year starter at QB you have a versatile offense that can be explosive or play "slow ball" to eat up the clock as needed. We converted 19/22 extra points which is good but we strive for 100% in that area because we know that deep in the state tournament that is sometimes the difference.

We do not have a tournament this weekend which is great; we need a couple of intensive practices to smooth out some areas and get better in others. While I love tournament play, our chances of real success in College Station goes up if we have several weeks of solid practices including the remaining 3 tournaments as "high speed practices" to be as ready as we can be to compete for a state 7 on 7 title.

I will talk more about the upcoming state tournament and the historical perspective of qualifying 22 years in a row later this week. Congratulations to the 2019 Vikings; their families; coaches and everyone associated with this program. You are indeed part of something special. VFND!

VIKINGS GO 3-1 ON SATURDAY IN THE GRAPEVINE SQT

The Vikings traveled to Colleyville HS Saturday and battled to a 3-0 record in pool play in games shortened to try to get the tournament in before the forecasted heavy rain moved in to the area.

The pool games were shortened to one 30 minute segment with no half time. This meant that every offensive possession was vital to come away with points and likewise 1-2 stops on defense would put the other team in a bind. Here is a summary of pool play:

Game      Opponent                              Points Scored          Points Allowed
1           Richardson Berkner                 42                             30
2           Colleyville Heritage                21                               6
3           Mesquite Poteet                       21                               7


About mid-way through game 3 all teams were forced inside due to strong storms to finish play. In the state qualifying round, we faced a good Midlothian team that was also 3-0 in their pool. Both teams scouted one another earlier as it was apparent we were the best team in each of our respective pools. The format went back to 2-20 minute halves for the qualifying game and Midlothian got the ball first. Lamar fell behind 13-0 but came back to tie the game at 20-20 at half time. In a back and forth game that saw both teams score 3 times in the second half, the Vikes came up just short 42-40.

The Vikings are now 5-2 in play through two tournaments. The level of play on both sides of the ball is very good and the effort is excellent. The job now is to "finish" each tournament with a win so we get qualified. This Saturday we travel to Bedford for a state qualifying tournament and I will report on how we fared next week!
Coach Poynter

VIKINGS SHOW WELL AT FRISCO SQT

In spite of missing several key players due to track and injury, the Viking 7 on 7 team got off to a really good start last Saturday. The Vikes went 2-1 in pool play, averaging 38 points per game on offense while allowing 25 ppg to the opponents. In game 2 we started slowly only scoring 14 points in the first half even though we got the ball first to start the game. The Vikes responded in the 2nd half and came back to take the lead with less than 3 minutes left in the game. Only a "last play of the game" 2-point conversion by Cypress Bridgeland (Houston area) kept the Vikings out of the qualifying round game. Bridgeland won the qualifying round game against Frisco 34-26 to advance to the State 7 on 7 Championship tournament later in the season.

Two things I really like about this Frisco early season state qualifier. #1 we are usually missing 3-6 of our fastest players as it is track season. This gives us coaches a chance to evaluate some of our younger players under tournament conditions to see who may be ready to help at the varsity level as we get into the meat of the season in about a month. #2 I love that the kids get to see the Dallas Cowboys world class facility and make a "road trip" that requires them to be at Lamar by 6 am. For the most part we got what we wanted out of the trip except of course qualifying!

Having coached at this level now for 17+ seasons I would say this season's team is as talented as any we have had in recent memory. We have experience returning on both sides of  the ball, size, speed and athleticism. If we all put in the work in practice and stay healthy we should have a chance to be very competitive this season. Right now most teams including Lamar are in spring football so we only have two 7 on 7 practices prior to our next SQT on 5/18 at Grapevine HS. We have probably qualified at this particular SQT more than any other through the years.

2019 7 ON 7 SEASON ABOUT TO BEGIN

This Saturday (4/27) the Vikes travel to Frisco to compete in the first state 7 on 7 qualifying event of the 2019 season. This is somewhat unique event as the venue is the Ford "Star" in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Last year there were Cowboy coaches, a few players and even some cheerleaders watching and of course the facility is first rate. The "Pool" winners play inside the Ford Star which seats 12,000 in the "qualifying" round of games. So it is a fun event to kick off the season!

Because it is still April many of our athletes are involved in other seasonal sports namely baseball and track. Just as last year the Frisco event is at the same time as "Regionals" in track. Once again some of our great Lamar athletes have made it to regionals which is great but it does mean we are missing some good players for the Frisco event. Of course that means that some of our younger players will get a chance to compete this week at the varsity 7 on 7 tournament level of play. There is a PDF tab on the front page of our web site. Click on that tab and you will see a couple of PDF's related to our schedule, where to park; where/when we play etc.

I will blog again after Saturday's event and let you know how we fared and more about the upcoming season.

VFND,

Coach Poynter

WRAP UP OF THE 2018 SEASON

This was a memorable 7 on7 season for the Vikings.  The serious injury to Brett Green mid-way through the season was of course something none of us will ever forget. We are SO THANKFUL that Brett has made substantial progress towards a complete recovery! His injury was scary but it also brought the team even closer to one another. We could feel God's loving hands all over that situation. We prayed before every game after Brett's injury, something we had not done before hand. This was the player's idea and they had me lead them in prayer for the balance of the season. So it was uplifting to see them turn to our Maker for comfort. It is not just about football...

It took until the 5th of 6 state qualifying tournaments for us to get qualified for a state record 21st time in a row. As the pressure began to mount over "the streak" the kids also dealt with new head gear purchased for them immediately after the injury to Brett. The headgear is warmer but clearly was the right thing to do. We went 4-0 in the 5th SQT and beat rival Arlington High to clinch a spot in this years state tournament.

We drew a strong pool for the state tournament with Beaumont Westbrook; Lewisville Hebron and Katy in the pool with the Vikes. Since the pools are random some are tougher than others. All 4 teams were 1-1 going into the 3rd game so it was a winner advances game. After taking a 2 TD lead into the middle of the 2nd half we were not able to sustain it and lost a heartbreaker with seconds left in the game, 45-40.

That loss made it tough to get up and get going Saturday in the consolation bracket. But showing the same resilience they had shown all year the team ripped off 3 wins in a row and advanced to the semi-final round, just one game from the title game. Although the Vikes lost in a close game to eventual title winner Lubbock Coronado, we finished the last three weeks of the season 11-3. This group of kids really showed how to get up off the mat and keep going! VFND.

GRAPEVINE STATE QUALIFIER

On Saturday the Vikes traveled to Grapevine for the 2nd of 6 State Qualifying tournaments.

In game 1 the Vikes defeated the Richland Rebels 42-21. On a sad note, a Richland player broke his leg for the 3rd time in his young career. The Vikes said a prayer for him during the halt in play.

 

In game 2 the Vikes spotted Mesquite Horn an 11 point 1/2 time lead as Horn had the ball one more possession and a Lamar TD was waived off by a 4-second call. The 2nd half was a “home run derby” as both teams scored at will on deep balls. Lamar was stopped just short of the game winning TD falling 46-42. We also had an apparent "pick six" waived off by an official.

 

In the final game the Vikes faced Frisco Heritage and came away with a 48-31 victory. For the day the Vikes averaged over 45 ppg while giving up 32 ppg a 13 ppg differential. Horn was the Pool winner by virtue of their “head to head” win over the Vikes. Comparatively the Vikes beat Heritage by 17 while Horn beat Heritage by 1. Horn lost to Richland and the Vikes won by 21! Mesquite won the qualifying round and thus qualified for the state tournament.

Although the Vikes didn’t qualify, we are definitely on the right track. We will continue to work on getting a minimum of “2 stops per half” defensively which we did in 2 of 3 games Saturday. We also must be more consistent on offense particularly in the 1st half of games.

The overall effort was excellent and I look forward to our 3 rd SQT next Saturday in Bedford! VFND

THOUGHTS AFTER FIRST TOURNAMENT AND LOOKING FORWARD

Last week was quite a week for Viking football athletics in general with the NFL draft; regional track competition and the first 7 on 7 state qualifier!

We knew the first state qualifying tournament last Saturday (4/28/18) would be a fun event for the players as it was held at the Cowboys Star Center in Frisco. Our pool games were on the Cowboys turf practice field and it was a fast track on a beautiful day. Although we did not see any Cowboy players some or our guys did spot the Cowboy cheerleaders boarding their bus to Arlington to participate in the last rounds of the NFL draft event at Cowboy Stadium.

Because we have some great athletes on our team we also knew we might "lose" some of them to the "regional" track meet. Well, we had 5 of our fastest guys qualify in the area round which is just outstanding! So along with a couple of injuries we were short at least 6 starters from our 7 on 7 team last Saturday.

With so many key contributors out we asked the remaining players to step up and play literally wherever we asked them to play. Several guys played defense with no experience on that side of the ball since grade school! We played with very good effort but at the end of the day we just did not have enough resources to call on to win our pool and advance to the qualifying round. The kids and coaches were disappointed because we do not take losing easily; there is a lot of Viking Pride in our 7 on 7 program. I told them and their families to not get down at all as it is truly "pre-season" and going forward we will have our whole team with which to compete.

The next two Saturdays we have a couple of our most important practices of the season. For the first time this spring we should have ALL of our players there. This will let us get reps as units and get our communication and schemes worked out and all of our plays installed. On 5/19 our next State Qualifying Tournament will be in Grapevine and I expect us to be at full speed and ready to COMPETE!