Speedy Guilford team could be ready to challenge for the NIC-10 championship

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WTVO) — If there’s a football program in this area that could be headed for a big rebound this season, it might be Guilford. The Vikings will bring a lot to the field on game nights.

Two years ago, the Vikings rose up and challenged for the NIC-10 championship. They might have even won it if not for some late-season injuries. Last year they dropped off to only three wins. This team feels more like the Guilford team from two years ago.

“I feel like we can be better than that really,” said running back Izaias Primus.

Senior two-way lineman James Benson agrees. “To be completely honest, we can be way better than we were two years ago.”

As they say, you can’t teach speed. The Vikings have it, everywhere it seems. Even on the lines where Chris Brown and all-conference tackle James Benson are super-quick off the snap.

“We’re going for anybody in the NIC-10, and it starts up front,” said Benson. “Everybody on our O-line, D-line, are straight Dawgs. I’m going to keep saying it, straight Dawgs!”

“6’4 280-pound Ronin Beaufils and 6’3 350-pound Joseph Pasch bring more size to the lines.

Getting back to the speed factor, there is no one in the conference faster than junior Messiah Tilson. He was the NIC-10 champion in the 100meter dash in the spring, and he was sixth in the nation in the 100 at the AAU nationals this summer. Tilson is a triple-threat playing receiver, cornerback and returning kicks. Head coach Tony Capriotti will have a lot of options with Tilson.

“I think you have to make the defense identify where’s he’s at at a bare minimum, and it’s up to us as coaches to find ways to get him the ball in different spots.”

There’s another speedster at running back junior Chris Porter. He can turn the corner in the blink of an eye. Izaias Primus brings more speed to the running back position. Slot back Kevlen Jackson and receiver Jordan Lopez are two more players to watch at the skill positions.

“As a unit we can be very explosive as long as we just keep going, keep working hard, and we’ve got to get our stuff down,” said Primus.

The beneficiary of all this speed is quarterback Greyson Weber. He started several games last year as a freshman. Now as a sophomore looks ready to take a big step up.

“I think the sky’s the limit for him,” said Capriotti. “He’s one of the best that we’ve ever had through here in terms of processing where to go with the ball. He’s cool under fire.”

On defense, Benson at tackle should be a candidate for the NIC-10 defensive MVP award at the end of the season. Tilson will be a standout in the secondary. Porter’s speed should help him shine at linebacker. Halston Carter at safety is another player to keep an eye on.

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