2011 Football Preview: New Miami Vikings

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer 1:43 AM Sunday, August 21, 2011

NEW MIAMI — Jim Jewett sees no reason why New Miami High School’s football team can’t be successful.

Right now.

The Vikings have managed just four wins (one by forfeit) in the last two years, but their new head coach believes this group has the ability to compete in the Miami Valley Conference and the Division VI playoff chase.

“I told the kids my objective is the playoffs,” Jewett said. “The talent’s here. There’s a lot of size and a lot of speed, and they’re great kids. They haven’t given me one problem.

“From what I’ve seen, we can run with anybody,” he added. “My biggest concern is if we get down and our psyche goes down the tubes. The hardest thing is changing the mind-set. But it’s getting there. It shows in how they handle themselves and how they practice.”

New Miami returns many starters and, like recent years, plans to run the ball a lot. The offensive line averages 281 pounds and has some mobility.

Numbers are an annual problem for the Vikings, though Jewett isn’t focusing on that area. The current roster has 24 players (12 are juniors).

“Numbers don’t mean anything,” Jewett said. “It’s what you have out there on the field.”

He said the first two games, against Gamble Montessori and Miami Valley Christian Academy, will be vital to the squad’s confidence. Starting in Week 3, New Miami faces five 2010 playoff teams.

“I’m excited,” Jewett said. “Not only for this year, but next year, too. We just need to stay healthy.”

Offense

The wing-T will be the Vikings’ base offense, but the new coach said his team won’t be predictable.

“I’m not afraid to call anything at any time in any place on a football field,” Jewett said.

He pointed to junior quarterback Chris Kellum as a pivotal player this season. If New Miami wants to run the ball, it needs to have some success throwing.

The backfield has a mix of speed and strength. Junior fullback Patrick Marcum is a bruiser.

“You need a good fullback,” Jewett said. “Marcum can run over people.”

On the line, senior tackle Greg Goins (6-6, 335) is a four-year player and the only holdover from the Vikings’ 2008 playoff squad.

Defense

Marcum and senior Mike Vail will be the inside linebackers in New Miami’s 4-4 defense, and Jewett likes their attitudes.

“I would say they’re the two leaders,” Jewett said. “They work the hardest, and they hit the hardest, too.

“I want to be the most physical team in the league, and I think we can be,” he continued. “I want our defense to be physical, swarming, just smacking you in the mouth. We’re going to come after people.”

Free safety Nick Hayes is expected to lead the secondary. He’s one of only four seniors on the roster — Goins, Vail and tight end-defensive back Steven Rogers are the others.

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