Coach: Mark Soehren (second year)

Class: Eastern A

Last year’s record: 3-6

Returning letter-winners: Senior — Ethan Edwards (T/DE), Ethan Child (slot); Juniors — Malik Geiger (FB/DE), Brennan Gillepsie (T/LB), Davis Turner (Util/OLB).

Key losses: Dexter Turner (FB/DE), Ben Bowie (WR/CB), Nick Bowie (RB/DB), Ryan Godin (QB), Tim Hutchinson (G/DT), Bill Leahy (G/DE), Jordan Croteau (FB/LB), Dustin Edwards (C/DT), Jake Hall (WR/CB), Spencer Thompson (T/DE), Josiah Cushman (T/LB).

Promising newcomers: Senior — Sam O’Connor (T/DT), Tony Taylor (FB/LB); Junior — Brady Lafrance (QB/CB), Creighton Medeiros (T/LB), Patrick Macro (SE), C.J. Martin (slot); Sophomore — Jacob Spinhirn (slot/FS).

Season outlook: Last year, the Vikings posted their highest win total since 2007. To take the next step to their first winning record and playoff appearance in eight years, they will need a number of new faces to continue the physical tone set by last year’s defense and have a young but athletic line gel quickly. Geiger, a speedy fullback, is the lone regular returning to the backfield. Lafrance has good speed to direct the triple option but will also be able to throw out of the pistol when the opportunity arises, with Child, Turner and Macro among the leading targets. Defense will again be their strong suit, but they are especially young on that side of the ball and will need to learn quickly from their mistakes to compete in the realigned Eastern A.