"This group will seriously do whatever it takes for one another and the team," Gunter said. "These guys understand that each member is important to the success of the whole team. Some guys carry the ball, some guys are linemen, some guys are on special teams and some guys are the blue collar types who run the scout offense and defense to help the starters prepare. This group understands that no matter what their job is, it's vital to the team's success."
The Vikings were hit with the devastating loss of senior captain running back Seth Fraughton, who died in a drowning accident at Bear Lake Aug. 4.
"You don't replace Seth Fraughton," Gunter said. "He meant so much to the team on every level, and he was one of those guys who would do whatever it took to get the job done and we all want to respect him by doing just that."
One of the first steps in getting the job done was to move starting tight end Parker Winters to half back to carry the ball behind fullback Stan Smoot. Gunter then inserted linebacker Sam Graham in as tight end. Senior quarterback Chris Larsen will anchor the offense, which Gunter believes has great potential.
"We have a very good backfield and receivers and a strong line," Gunter said. "Chris is a very good quarterback in that he is great at distributing the ball to the right people. He's a very good pocket quarterback and I have complete confidence in his talents."
On the defensive side of the ball, Smoot and Graham give the Vikings one of the best linebacker crews in the state.
"They are both outstanding athletes, big, strong, and fast, who understand the game of football," Gunter said. "I expect them to be very good in the middle."
Gunter also noted senior captain Bryce Leavitt as a young man who has been inspiring to watch over the past year.
"Bryce blew out his knee in the Bountiful JV game last year and missed all of football and wrestling, which is another big sport for him," Gunter said. "It was amazing to see his attitude and to see him in the weight room rehabbing while the other guys were enjoying a good season last year. Bryce worked as hard as anyone I've ever seen. It is exciting to see him out on the field again."
Gunter also noted a motivating factor for the Vikings is that they have been overlooked in the pre-season football polls.
"The guys do feel a little they have been disrespected," Gunter said. "These guys have worked extremely hard to build Viewmont to where it is and were also important to the success we had last year, so they feel they were a little snubbed."
"It's fine, though, because it just motivates them to keep working hard."
Viewmont will have the chance to make a big statement when it plays number- three-ranked Lone Peak in week 2. Then Viewmont will take on cross-town rival Bountiful before heading into Region 1 play.
"All of the games are important because our goal is to win the state title," Gunter said. "But beating Bountiful is huge because it's for Dick's Market supremacy. Whoever wins that game can walk into Dick's Market in Centerville or Bountiful and not have to worry about running into someone from the other school."
"It's what makes high school football so great."
sschulte@davisclipper.com
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