It’s often said by championship teams that nobody believed in them, so they had to believe in themselves.

It’s said by teams that simply won a game too, and it’s in that spirit that East Hall coach Bryan Gray thrives.

"We have a very excited, close-knit group that realizes we have a major challenge," Gray said. "But they are ready to take it on.

"They are ready to compete."

The Vikings are coming off a one-win season, but the last three games provided what could translate into re-invigoration.

In the first five games of the season, East Hall lost by an average of 33.8 points. The Vikings lost their last three games, to Johnson, West Hall and Pickens, by an average of only 5.5 points.

Some would simply see losses, Gray however sees growth, and it’s with that hopefulness that the Vikings enter their 2009 campaign.

"I have kids that are focused on being in good condition and focused on playing both ways," Gray said. "These kids have fostered their own excitement because they love playing football and they love playing for East Hall."

Offense

The Vikings have switched to the Wing-T to accommodate an athletic quarterback and Gray likes what he sees.

Desmon Gardner has started off and on for the past two years. This year, however, the position is all his.

"He’s a great kid and a great leader," Gray said. "He’s really responding to what we’re trying to do and is a senior that woke up and decided he wanted to lead."

Gardner’s abilities, however, aren’t the only reason for the switch.

East Hall only lost six seniors, but according to Gray, has lost a lot of school population that it couldn’t afford in the first place. Depth has been a problem for the Vikings, but it has become even more evident.

"Depth killed us when we tried to speed the game up," Gray said. "We’re trying to slow down the game, and I think we have the athletes at quarterback and fullback that can do some things within the realm of it."

At fullback, East Hall returns Corey Richardson who averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2008 and had two touchdowns. Slot receiver John Hewell is also back.

"They are two of the most focused kids I’ve coached," Gray said. "They give 100 percent no matter what kind of situation we’re in."

Defense

For the Vikings, the mentality is to attack the opposing offense.

"We’re too young and inexperienced to sit back and play read and react." Gray said.

Among those returning for the Vikings are Sterling Bailey and Chaz Cheeks at defensive end, Hewell at free safety, Judd Robinson at cornerback and Richardson at linebacker. Despite his 5-foot-8 stature, Richardson was second on the team with 91 tackles, three for a loss, in 2008.

"Sterling and Chaz are our foundation," Gray said. "They’ve set the tone and always work hard to be the best they can be."

Rounding out the defensive line will be C.J. White or Chrisel Flores.

The Vikings also return Stephen Mendoza at outside linebacker and Gray thinks he could be a difference maker.

"He found the weight room after his freshman year and is so explosive," Gray said.

Bailey is coming off an injury-riddled sophomore season in which he played only seven games. Despite that, he still amassed 39 solo tackles, 26 assists, 15 quarterback pressures, 6.5 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss. He was also voted first-team All-Region 7-AAA.

Special teams

Outlook

East Hall has one or two freshmen that will probably start and seven to nine that will be regular contributors:. In other words, they’re going to be young and inexperienced at several positions.

That doesn’t mean, however, that the Vikings should be counted out.

They have arguably two of the best defensive ends in the region in Bailey and Cheeks, and Gardner’s athleticism has been given a platform on which to shine with the offensive scheme switch.

Can the offensive line block well enough for the platform to stay up? Will the secondary falter in Region Spreadsville? Will depth, or the lack thereof, again be an issue? Answers to these questions will come only with time. However, one thing is for sure right now: Coach Gray said he shook the tree this offseason in an effort to surround himself with only the most dedicated players. So he’s left with those dedicated to him, to the East Hall program and to competing.