Fremd counting on strong 'D'

Defense has been the foundation of Fremd's unprecedented run of Mid-Suburban League football success.

That foundation appears to have its usual strength as a strong crew of returnees look to extend Fremd's streaks of 15 playoff appearances and seven MSL West titles.

"We feel a lot more comfortable as a group," said senior middle linebacker Michael Sahli.

"We have a better understanding of what we're doing and can do more, too," said senior linebacker Justin Wallace, who will also see significant action at running back.

"We're working better together," said senior cornerback Michael Risher. "We already have more in than last year."

And last year turned out pretty well as Fremd won its first 11 games and made the Class 8A quarterfinals with a punishing ground game and opportunistic defense. A similar formula is the plan again.

The Vikings did lose a big playmaker in all-area pick Jayme Szafranski. But they believe they have a bunch of potential difference-makers this season.

"That's a good thing because I'd rather have 11 guys making plays instead of one," Sahli said.

"We need people to step up and make plays," Risher said. "A lot of people can make more plays instead of one person."

Which also plays right into what makes for a typical Fremd defense. Wallace, Risher and Sahli clearly have the smarts to understand every aspect.

"Everyone trusts each other to do their jobs," said Wallace, who has a 4.71 weighted grade point average on a 4.0 scale and wants to study aeronautical engineering.

"Nobody has to try to do more than they have to," said Risher, a 4.1 student interested in the medical field.

"You feel a lot more comfortable when everybody is going to do their job," said Sahli, a 3.7 student interested in exercise science and physical therapy. "We had such a great bond last year and this year we're a lot closer."

Which the Vikings hope could take them at least one step if not two steps farther than they've ever been in the postseason.

"We're going to leave this season without any regrets," Sahli said. "Full-out all the time."