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Northeast: 2014 football preview

 
Jeremy Frioud, a longtime Largo assistant, gets his chance to be a head coach. [DIRK SHADD   |   Times]
Jeremy Frioud, a longtime Largo assistant, gets his chance to be a head coach. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
Published Aug. 20, 2014

Northeast

Coach: Jeremy Frioud (first season)

Last season: 1-9

Class/district: 7A-9

Colors: Red and white

Stadium: John Sexton Stadium, 1717 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

Playoff history: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012

Last appearance: Lost 65-12 to Bradenton Manatee.

Season schedule

Aug. 29 at Largo, 7:30

Sept. 5 at Dixie Hollins, 7:30

Sept. 12 vs. Boca Ciega, 7:30

Sept. 19 at Countryside, 7;30

Oct. 2 vs. Pinellas Park, 7:30

Oct. 10 vs. Osceola, 7:30

Oct. 17 at Seminole, 7:30

Oct. 24 at Clearwater, 7:30

Oct. 31 vs. East Lake, 7:30

Nov. 7 vs. Lakewood, 7:30

Mark your calendar

Northeast at Countryside, Sept. 19: In coach Jeremy Frioud's first year, he said he is putting more emphasis on the district games and this is the Vikings' first of the season. They will get a very clear idea of whether they can be competitive. Countryside is going through some coaching transition as well, and Frioud said there are some games on the schedule that his team can take. Could this be one of them?

Huddle highlights

New era: Frioud, a longtime Largo assistant, gets his chance to be a head coach. He takes over a team that struggled last season and is loaded with young and inexperienced players. Frioud said that more than anything he is looking for effort and not so much focused on wins and losses. That is probably a good attitude this season.

Run-'N-gun: The Vikings will use a no-huddle, fast-paced offense this season and hopes to get a play off every 15-20 seconds. "What we have to do is try to steal an aspect of the game," Frioud said. "We're not going to be bigger and faster than other teams, but we can be better conditioned. That's the wrestling coach in me. You have to work with the personnel you have."

Playoffs? Don't tell Northeast it can't compete. The Vikings are putting an emphasis on the district games and trying to take down favorites East Lake and Pinellas Park. "I'm not saying we will win those games, but we'll be competitive," Frioud said. "If we can get one of those games then we could have a shot at the playoffs. That's going to be our goal around here from now on: playoffs."

Known quantities

TB Devin Bowers, Sr.: Bowers is one of the few returners with significant playing time. He will likely get the most carries in Northeast's hurry-up offense. Bowers will also play in the secondary.

C Rob Schrage, Sr.: Schrage, who played center last year, is a solid 6 feet, 240 pounds and should be the anchor on the offensive line.

CB Khyri Wright, Jr.: An athletic cornerback who can also play linebacker, Wright will get his first significant playing time this season. He is the son of boxer Winky Wright.

DE Randy Johnson, Sr.: An athletic end who can also play wide receiver, the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder is a big target and also hard to handle for offensive linemen.

CB Anthony Crandon, Sr.: A speedy cornerback nicknamed "Caddy," he'll be relied on in the secondary for an inexperienced defense.

Up-and-comers

TB Tavon Jones, Sr.: A transfer from St. Petersburg, Jones will get carries behind Bowers. Jones had 223 yards on 36 carries for the Green Devils last season. Expect that to at least double this season.

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TB Jalynn Williams, Fr.: Frioud said he almost always puts freshmen on the junior varsity, but Williams is too good. He joined the team for 7-on-7 tournaments and impressed, and could be a bright spot in the Viking offense.

QB Cory Hart, Sr.: He will be the opening-night starter and lead the Vikings' fast-break offense.

Coach's corner

"Our goal is by the end of the game we want the other team to not want to play anymore. If we give that kind of effort every game, regardless of the wins or losses, then I'll be fine with it." — Frioud