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PREVIEW: Vinton County Looking To Improve After 5-5 Finish In 2013

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Editor's Note: Over the next two weeks our reporters will be bringing you team previews for each team in the SEOAL, TVC-Ohio, TVC-Hocking, and our West Virginia teams. We continue in the TVC-Ohio, where everyone is chasing the Athens Bulldogs. 

With the 2014 football season upon us, the Vinton County Vikings are focused on improving from their .500 season in 2013.  The Vikings lost a solid senior class from last season, but coach Justy Burleson is confident that they can rebuild their team and finish with a winning record this season. 

With those seniors gone, Burleson already has an idea of which players he expects to step into the leadership roles on his team this season.    

“I really think guys like Wesley Yors, Max Ward, Tim Ousley and Andy Long are going to be key leaders this year,” Burleson said.

Last season the Vikings finished 5-5 overall with a third-place finish in the TVC-Ohio. With that Burleson said he doesn’t plan on making any significant changes in the schemes for the upcoming season. 

“We are just going to get better at a slow and steady pace,” Burleson said.

Like many teams, the Vikings don’t want to overlook anyone on the schedule. But if there is one game that stands out is their week five matchup with the Athens Bulldogs. Last season the Vikings lost on their home turf to the Bulldogs 48-12, but the Vikings believe they can pull off an upset of the Bulldogs this year.

The Vikings will begin the season on Friday when they travel to Unioto for their season-opener. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. 

'Gridiron Glory' airs every Friday night at 11:30 p.m. on WOUB. You can follow the show on Twitter @gridironglory, like the Gridiron Glory page on Facebook, and follow along on Instagram @woubsports. You can also join the conversation throughout the season by using the hashtag #GridGlory.