Great Expectations: Coach Goerge and Vikings Eye Repeat

The nature of sports remains when you win one championship everyone wants another.

So with a new season of South Brunswick football kicking off tonight, Head Coach Joseph Goerge said the next wave of Vikings will need to step up if the squad is to repeat as Group V State Champions.

With several cornerstones from last year's team gone, Goerge said it's crucial for the team's upperclassmen to fill the void.

"Besides being outstanding players, we had really strong leadership in guys like T.J. Taylor, T.J. Perkowski, Ken Drost and Connor Killmurrary," Goerge said. "But our two senior captains, Dylan Olsson and Rashaan Baker, we expect big things out of them. They've stepped up as leaders, as well as some other seniors that are playing for us. We expect all the kids to come out there and contribute for us."

Based on their performance in last year's 33-22 win in the Group V title game, all eyes are on junior Dontae Strickland and senior Dahrae Ford this year to power the Vikings attack. Strickland finds himself in a unique position as a junior who has already received scholarship offers from top programs like Rutgers and Virginia, while he still has two years of high school left.

"It's crazy the way the college game is now with them offering kids who are even younger as freshman, so it can be tough for them to focus," Goerge said. "We've talked about it, and talked to his dad about it, so it's something we're aware of. We constantly remind him that as good as he was last year, it won't be good enough this year. You have to continue to get better, because if you're not getting better you're getting worse."

It was Strickland's performance in the state title win that etched his name into South Brunswick football lore with two long touchdown runs. Goerge is looking to see that performance carry over to this season.

"There's no question he's explosive, he's got moves and is very elusive," Goerge said. "If he continues to work, well he's got a lot to work with. He has nice size and has gotten stronger in the weight room. He could be a big time playmaker for us."

If Strickland brings the lightning, then Ford definitely brings the thunder, as he amassed 419 rushing yards and six touchdowns during the Vikings' three playoff wins last year.

"Dahrae had a great run for us down the stretch and he's looked good for us in the preseason. He had an ankle injury that kept him out of a scrimmage or two, but I have big expectations for him and I think he does too for himself," Goerge said. "He got off to a slow start last year then came on strong the last five or six games, so we're going to try and push him to get him going early."

Coming off an undefeated 9-0 season as freshman, the incoming crop of sophomores are also being looked at to play significant roles this year. Goerge said he expects sophomores Phil Campbell, Rich Hoff, Muhamad Jabbie, Tom Leavy, Josh Nicastro and Chris-Jon Summers, among others, to see significant time this season.

"That group had a very nice start. Phil will be playing offense and defense, Hoff will be starting at offensive tackle, so we definitely have some sophomore influence on the team this year," Goerge noted. "It's a really nice group of kids we have there."

Ultimately, coming off a state title, Goerge knows the expectations are there for the Vikings to do it all over again this year. However, titles are fleeting, Goerge noted, and this is a new year.

"Our expectation every year is to compete for a GMC title and compete in the Section V playoffs," he said. "When you go out and win a championship, a few things have to go your way. You don't just put your helmets on and win. We stayed healthy, we won some close games. So my expectations for this year are to be competitive in the Red Division and in the state playoffs."

That journey kicks off tonight at South Brunswick High School at 7 p.m. when East Brunswick comes to town.