by MARTY ZIER

Sports contributor

Justin Frausto enters his second year as the Vikings’ football coach in a very unique season.

Teetering on the edge of eligibility with only 16 players, the viability of the Vikings’ season faced a serious risk resulting from smaller class size and fewer players.

Lopez Island faced the same problem for its Lobos football team, and through the efforts of school administrators, 9 Lobo players now make the trip to Orcas five days a week with the help of Ian Harlow handling the Orcas transporting.

The players took home the Island Cup trophy on Sept. 5 after a win against Friday Harbor.

The hybrid team will play the normal NW 2B football schedule and introduce the Lobo teammates to the Orcas league rivals, which will probably feel all too familiar.

“It’s great,” said Frausto. “We have 9 seniors on the team, including some foreign exchange students from Lopez: a player from Denmark, Ukraine and Georgia. It is quite the group of players and having a lot of upper classmen is a nice change. Looking forward to a strong season, especially defensively.”

Despite a  historically strong Friday Harbor Wolverine team moving down to the 2B league last year, the power in the league remains in Concrete.

“The Lions were 7-2 last year, won the league and went to state, so until further notice they are still the top dog and the team to beat,” Frausto said.

He is also getting some coaching help from two Viking alumni: Jacob Hansen as defensive coordinator and Robbie Padbury as an assistant.