High school football: Pleasant Grove developing into consistent winner

PLEASANT GROVE — Ever since Pleasant Grove shocked the highly-favored Jordan Beetdiggers in the 2005 football playoffs, things just haven't been the same for the Vikings.

After struggling for their first two seasons at the 5A level, supporters now expect the Vikings to win. The coaches and Vikings players themselves also expect to win. And ever since that stunning game in November 2005, the Vikings have been winning. They've won at least a share of two region titles since and have been to the postseason now for three straight seasons.

With the talent they have returning this season, it should be four straight come November. In fact, they could throw another league title in there as well. The Vikings have proven that winning can be contagious.

"These kids know the expectations are high and they have the desire to meet that challenge," coach Dale Sampson said. "But it's going to come down to how we perform in the tough situations, just like it does every year."

Actually, the Vikings' strongest class is its junior group — which won Utah Valley's freshman league two years ago. But the Vikings played so many sophomores and juniors last season that they really have a double group of experienced players suiting up this season.

"We've got some kids who got a lot of playing time on a really good football team last year, and we're planning on building on that experience and being a little better this season," Sampson said.

The past two years the Vikings have been the masters of the close-game win. The reason for that is simple. The bread and butter of Pleasant Grove's success has been an aggressive and tough defense. Teams just don't move the ball well on the Vikings. With a good host of returners on defense, expect the same during this campaign.

"If you can be strong defensively, you're going to be a good football team and win a good share of your ballgames," Sampson said.

If there's any category where the Vikings are a little questionable it's their offense — where they'll have a new quarterback and an unproven passing game. Their running game, however, should be a strong point with the quick and elusive all-purpose back LeSean Wilcox ready for his senior campaign.

"We're going to have to find ways to get him the football in the open field, because he's one of those players who really knows what to do with it once he's got it and we're going to let him do some things with it," Sampson said.