NORTH VIKINGS
North football’s top returning players
- Marvin Causey Jr. , WR/RB/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.
- Jaydein Echols , MLB/H-back, 5-7, 190, Sr.
- Sigmund Felding , QB/DB, 5-8, 175, Sr.
- T.Y. Jones , DE/TE/H-back, 6-2, 239, Sr.
North football's impact players
Causey battled through a groin injury last season but still compiled 1,400 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. “Right now, he looks way more explosive due to him being 100% healthy,” Powell said. ... Echols has led the Vikings in tackles in each of the past three seasons. “He's a quiet storm,” Powell said. ... Not as quiet anymore, Felding has stepped up this offseason as a guiding voice on the team, Powell said. ... Jones and fellow two-way lineman Arpan Teyung (5-6, 190, Soph.) have taken the torch from 2024 North graduate Elijah Gervins as the team's top leaders, Powell added. Jones, who had 10 sacks last season, has received recruiting interest from Saint Francis, Dayton, Kent State and Marshall. Powell said of Jones: “There was a day in practice [this summer when] he kind of called out every single lineman, some of the linebackers in one-on-ones, and he just annihilated everybody.” ... Two other returning players with significant roles are Fredrick Peoples (OL/DL, 5-9, 245, Sr.) and LaDanian Hughes (LB, 5-10, 175, Jr.).
What's new with North football in 2024?
Felding is the favorite to enter the season as North's starting quarterback, but there is also a succession plan in place for Vikings newcomer Jair Bell, a 6-foot-3 sophomore. “Right now, ideally, it's Sig [starting at QB], and obviously if Jair can come in and do the things that he wants and that he needs to do, we can move Sig to his natural position, which is really our halfback position,” Powell said. Bell can throw 50 yards off his back foot, Powell said. He can play wide receiver and free safety when he's not at QB. ... Powell has high hopes for other newcomers, including Jonathan Scurry (DE, 6-2, 225, Jr.) and Devari Bennett-Davenport (S/LB/RB, 6-0, 225, Sr.). In an offseason film session, Bennett-Davenport repeatedly identified another team's plays on offense before each snap. “He's probably the smartest football player I've been around in high school,” Powell said.
North football’s outlook
North finished the 2023 season a year after low participation numbers kept the Vikings from completing their entire schedule. Powell said 38 players have attended offseason workouts this year, and the program has a different “energy” as he readies for his second season. The next step is winning games, especially in the City Series. “Our guys are really focused on that City championship and then making to the state playoffs,” Powell said. “That's a huge goal, and I know it sounds crazy looking at what North's done the last two years, but that's really the mindset.”
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North football schedule for 2024
- Aug. 23 at Lancaster
- Aug. 30 at Twinsburg
- Sept. 6 at North Canton Hoover
- Sept. 13 at Lexington
- Sept. 20 at Rootstown
- Sept. 28 Garfield at Kenmore Stadium at noon
- Oct. 4 EAST at Ellet
- Oct. 11 ELLET at Ellet
- Oct. 17 Firestone at Buchtel
- Oct. 25 BUCHTEL at Ellet
Home games in all CAPS. All games at 7 p.m., unless noted.
Ohio high school football: One can't-miss Akron-area game for Weeks 1-10 of the 2024 season
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron North Vikings 2024 high school football schedule, preview
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