Sportsbeat Preview: Glendale Vikings

NEW ENTERPRISE (WTAJ) — One of the biggest challenges facing small school football teams is finding a way to get the most out of the limited resources you have on your sidelines. This fall, Glendale’s Spank Traxler is reaching into his bag of tricks and hopes shuffling around his all-state defensive linemen will provide some light on offense.

Landen McGarvey, who recorded 16 sacks last season on defense, spent last year on the offensive line. This year he shifts to the backfield. At 6-2, 215 pounds he’ll likely provide a classic fullback role to help open up holes.

“With me on the line, we have five blockers,” McGarvey said. “You take me off it, and you have four before you add someone else in. Even if they’re not the whole way up to the level that we want them to be, that’s still four and a half. Me in the backfield creates five and a half blockers. So football is a numbers game. And right there the numbers in our favor.”

Glendale went 3-9 in 2023 and despite winning a playoff game back in 2021, and going 6-6, the Vikings haven’t finished above .500 since 2012. Head coach Dave “Spank” Traxler enters his sixth season with the program.

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Key Losses: Troy Misiura (RB/DB) Connor Potutschnig (WR/DB)

Key Returners: Landen McGarvey (FB/DL) Logan Skebeck (QB/DB)

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