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The schedule makers didn’t do any favors for Northeast to kick off the 2021 season. The Vikings play host Friday to a Cameron team coming off a stellar seven-win campaign.

A year after major starts and stops to the season, Northeast and Cameron is PrepKC’s first Metro Matchup of the Week presented by DiPasquale Moore Law Firm.

The Vikings were drubbed 63-0 by the Dragons in last season’s opener at Cameron. The year before, Northeast lost 51-13. But the past isn’t the concern of head coach Roger Franks. Now in his sixth season at the school, Franks has seen the Vikings’ roster grow by leaps and bounds. He is hopeful the progress translates to on-field success.

Winless seasons like last year’s 0-8 mark aren’t much fun.

“We have a solid core,” Franks said at the first DiPasquale Moore Law Media Day held recently in Kansas City. “I can see the difference in the kids.”

Cameron, 7-4 one season ago, had its season come to an end in the state playoffs against Maryville. The Dragons have Lincoln Prep on its schedule this season as well. The matchup against Northeast won’t be easy. The Vikings could catch the heavily favored visitors asleep at the wheel.

Either way, Franks’ message to his team leading up to the contest was straightforward.

“No excuses, just play,” he said.

SHOWDOWN IN THE IL
Kansas City Central and Southeast will find out about themselves in a Week 1 matchup Saturday at Central. The Knights downed the Blue Eagles 19-12 last season to begin the year. Southeast would go on and claim a share of the league crown with Lincoln Prep. This year is a different story.

Central head coach DJ Pittel could barely contain his excitement at Media Day. The Blue Eagles have stability, their numbers are improving and players are committed to off-season work unlike ever before.

“We’ve been taking great strides,” Pittel said. “To have kids in the off-season to actually have practice is a huge advantage for us.”

And then there’s Southeast. Head coach Julius Foster is in his second year at the helm after coming over from Lincoln Prep. The Knights could make some noise in the IL under Foster. They were undefeated in league play one year ago but because of Covid-19 issues, weren’t able to square off against Lincoln for a right to claim an undisputed crown.

The Blue Eagles could catch the Knights slipping.

LINCOLN PREP READY FOR ST. JOE BENTON
Lincoln Prep beat St. Joseph Benton to open the 2020 season. The 42-0 win highlighted a 7-3 campaign for the Blue Tigers, which was seemingly a letdown for a team populated by high major college talent.

But that was last year. A new cast of playmakers will take flight for Lincoln Friday on the road in St. Joe.

Head coach William Lowe’s latest squad is hungry to prove it can live up to the standards set by previous teams in recent years. The group showed its toughness in preseason practice, Lowe said. He took the team to an off-campus facility away from the bright lights near its campus and infamous blue turf field.

The set-up was perfect, Lowe said. Distractions were minimal.

“Just the players, coaches, and a grass field,” he said.

In other IL action, East will travel to Van Horn Friday looking to avenge a 44-20 Week 1 loss to the Falcons in 2020. The Bears are low in numbers but big in heart. Playing hard is expected from a Greg Smith-coached team.