Vikings’ goal is to reach WPIAL playoffs
Mount Pleasant's Jackson Hutter (12) sprints to the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown in the Vikings' playoff win over Burrell last year.
Mount Pleasant's Joseph Laychak (55) looks to recover a Burrell fumble during the Vikings playoff victory over Burrell last year. Laychak returns for his sophomore season.
Mount Pleasant advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs last season and won a game before being eliminated in the quarterfinals.
According to head coach Jason Fazekas, the Vikings are striving to get back into the postseason again.
鈥淥ur expectations for this year, I think we keep them similar year in and out, and that is to play meaningful games at the end of year,鈥� said Fazekas. 鈥淲e have to play well to achieve our goals.鈥�
For the Vikings to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year, they will have to navigate a tougher Interstate Conference.
The WPIAL did the teams remaining in the conference no favors as Belle Vernon and Greensburg Salem dropped from Class AAAA into the conference.
鈥淭he Interstate, top to bottom, it is pretty competitive,鈥� Fazekas said. 鈥淏elle Vernon is a strong team. Elizabeth Forward and Greensburg Salem are strong teams.
鈥淚t is going to be pretty competitive, for sure.鈥�
The remaining teams in the conference are South Allegheny and Southmoreland.
Fazekas outlined the keys for the Vikings to make another postseason run.
鈥淲e want to take care of ourselves first and execute our plans,鈥� Fazekas said. 鈥淕oing into this year, it always starts up front with good play.
鈥淭he experience we have back means a lot. We are a younger team overall, but have more experience.鈥�
Fazekas continued, adding, 鈥淜ids who started last year as seniors were one-year starters and are gone. We had young players who played meaningful football.鈥�
The Vikings return five starters back on both offense and defense.
Leading the way is senior Robbie Labuda, who returns at tailback and free safety. Labuda rushed for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns.
鈥淲e are expecting him to play better on both sides of the ball,鈥� said Fazekas.
Senior Tyler Reese started last year at quarterback and defensive back last season, but has moved to wide receiver this season.
The other returning starters on offense are linemen senior William Eicher, junior Micah Roadman and senior Jacob Kraus. Eicher is a three-year starter.
Joining Labuda and Reese as returning starters on defense are lineman junior Kolby Hudec and linebackers Casey Shaffer, a senior, and junior Jackson Hutter.
Labuda, Reese and Hutter were all-conference honorees last season.
With Reese moving to receiver, sophomore Cole Chatfield takes over at quarterback.
鈥淐ole can throw pretty well,鈥� Fazekas said. 鈥淗e was just a little too young last year, but we think he will be ready this season.鈥�
Mount Pleasant opens the season in Week 0 when it hosts Greensburg Central Catholic, and Fazekas knows the community will be watching.
鈥淓veryone is excited because we are playing a local team,鈥� said Fazekas, adding, 鈥淚 think there will be a buzz.鈥�
After four nonconference games, the Vikings open Interstate Conference play Sept. 23 when they host Greensburg Salem.