By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Working harder than ever in the off-season is the key to success for next year's Niles' football team, according to head coach Dave Janicki.
Janicki delivered that message to his players and their families Sunday at the Vikings' 2004 football banquet at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.
Niles' coaches handed out letters and special recognition to its varsity, junior varsity and freshmen football teams at the banquet.
Building for next season starts now, Janicki said. The Vikings have changed their off-season program for this winter. Normally off-season workouts don't start until after Christmas. Janicki said players have already started throwing, and the weight room will be open five days a week starting today.
Janicki admitted this season was a tough one to get through, but commended his players for continuing to give their all even though they may not have had the record they wanted. Niles won its final two games to finish the year 3-6 after receiving a forfeit victory midway through the season.
Most football teams hand out individual awards at their end of the season banquets, including naming a Most Valuable Player for the year. Not Niles.
Janicki said he doesn't believe in naming an MVP because winning is a team effort, not something one player can bring.
Janicki did announce the 12 Vikings that won either First Team, Second Team or Honorable Mention All-Division awards. He also recognized two freshmen, Josh Boyd and Cody Williams, that played with the varsity team all season.
Junior varsity head coach Steve Grayson and freshmen head coach Dan Brawley also spoke about their teams' seasons and announced their teams.
The junior varsity team finished the year 1-7, but Grayson also spoke of the resilience of his players and the effort they continued to give all season long.
The freshmen team had the best season of the three teams, going 7-2, including six defensive shutouts. Brawley said his team's success is a good indicator that Niles' football program is headed in the right direction.