Even with injuries, FPD eyeing third title game

Brett Collier can’t wait to get back into the full routine of a game week.

And he’s thrilled to not be in the full routine of a game week.

FPD is the third seed in the GIAA Class 4A playoffs and, like top seed Stratford, has a first-round bye this week. As ready as they are to play — FPD hosts Strong Rock next Friday — they’re ready to be healthier when that kickoff rolls around.

“We’ve had a rough go with the injury bug so far,” said Collier, who is 27-8 near the end of his third season as head coach. “We’re pushing through.”

There was suspense about that on Friday. The 6-3 Vikings led 0-9 Tattnall only 3-0 at one point. Even with FPD down a number of starters, that was a surprise.

The Vikings got back in gear and pulled away for a 31-6 win, scoring right at about their average in the second half alone.

“I give credit to Tattnall,” Collier said. “They had a great game plan. They played really well, especially on the (defensive) front. We’re always going to try to run the ball, and they did a great job stopping the run, really all night.”

The Vikings managed only 35 net rushing yards. As well as Tattnall played, FPD had its own issues, unsurprisingly.

The Vikings have lost six starters to season-ending injuries, some at the start of the year and some in the middle.

Quarterback and defensive back Major Simmons went out with a concussion late in the third quarter of the win over Stratford on Oct. 3 and he’s nowhere near ready yet, though he is progressing.

Defensive back and running back Brady McHugh suffered a shoulder injury a week later against John Milledge. He played sparingly last week.

FPD has lost starters at every position group. Combine that with normal injuries, and the Vikings have faced some suspense each week: How well will the replacements play? Who’s going down next, with what, and for how long?

With weekly personnel moves, pre-snap 5-yard penalties on offense aren’t going to be shocking.

“We made a lot of penalties (Friday),” Collier said. “A ton of false starts. We got behind the chains pretty quickly.”

But there were adjustments, with players making plays in place of injured players who used to make plays.

“When you’re playing some guys that at the beginning of the year were backups and then maybe a few other guys in new positions, there’s some growing pains,” Collier said. “We’re learning as we go. Credit to our guys. They never panicked.”

FPD couldn’t get out of the Tattnall game without an injury. Center Thomas Everett suffered a shoulder injury, but he moved to tackle and all was well.

That wasn’t necessarily a surprise, because Collier and his staff have spent half the season moving players around. He listed four players who can back up Everett at center.

“We made the joke (Tuesday) about the offensive line,” Collier said. “We said, ‘OK, new week, new offensive line.’ That’s the way it’s felt all year.”

Still, the Vikings finished 7-3, with losses to 4A second seed Brookstone, 3A third seed Westfield and 3A top seed John Milledge. Collier is off to the best three-season start in FPD history after the Vikings won the 4A state title his first year in charge.

Each season has been markedly different, with this year’s team perhaps his grittiest. And by the time the season is over, it’ll probably be his most versatile.

How many different players have started this season?

“Oh man, there’s no telling,” Collier said. “I don’t know how many different people have started. New combinations of kids makes things tough, but that’s football. We’ve been learning to get through it.

“It’s been a conversation every week. How can we cross-train as many kids as possible? Just staying ready for what might happen.”

Losing Simmons was quite the double whammy, yet not necessarily a surprise. He plays quarterback with his defensive back mentality: the shoulder will be lowered.

But freshman Cash Walker has stepped into the pocket and thrived. His debut was against John Milledge, the best team FPD has played, and it didn’t look like a debut.

“He’s super poised,” Collier said. “He’s calm under pressure, and he’s handled the offense really well. He’s just been seamless.”

The Vikings are taking the “next man up” philosophy to another level, including with several youngsters.

“Like our offensive linemen,” Collier said. “People might not realize that there’s some ninth-graders on our team that could get in and execute our offense on the offensive line.

“There’s not many schools, I think, that could say that.”

Collier pointed out Harrison Keenan and Jacorey Burke as two who have thrived in multiple positions, and Marlon Kramer as somebody who has stepped up when necessary, like against Tattnall.

“He played outstanding,” Collier said. “He had two interceptions, blocked a field goal, made several really good tackles, and plays wide receiver also.”

Collier is trying to pace himself as well as his team this week.

“Our kids are resilient,” Collier said. “They practice really well. I’m impressed with that. They know how to practice hard, but take care of each other.”