Berry’s football team prepares for the upcoming season.

Saif Sarfani, Viking Fusion Videographer 

ROME, Ga. – Spring football practice and training are underway for the 2016 Vikings football season. The team hopes to beat last year’s record of 7 to 3 and go to the Division III playoffs by winning the conference championship. 

Sophomore running back Austin Lowe said the team is look to making a statement this upcoming season.

“We were close in a few games last year,” Lowe said. “We’re not just trying to win by the skin of our teeth, we’re trying to win emphatically and let people know who we are. 

Head football coach Tony Kunczewski leads the team during their 16 practice opportunities. 

Players trained the first part of the 13-week spring semester to work on strength, speed and agility and are now practicing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:45 a.m. 

“I heard some guys say that we’re the hunted instead of the hunters,” Kunczewski said.  “[However,] it doesn’t change the way we prepare because the moment you say ‘We’re the hunted, we’ve got to work harder’ and that implies you weren’t working hard enough before.

Kunczewski says he does not want the team to forget where they came from even though they will be playing a new season.

Junior outside lineback Kreg Keiffer said that the team is capable of a successful season.

“We lost both games by a touchdown last season,” Keiffer said. “We have the confidence to beat them as long as we play to the best of our ability.”  

The Vikings will have their first game against the Maryville College Scots at Valhalla stadium on September 3 at 6:00 p.m.