The Demons returning strengths are on the defensive and offensive line. Senior Rob Bailey anchors the offensive line with his 6-4, 330-pound frame. On the defensive side, defensive end Jordan Sanders and tackle Thomas Bruce bring some experience from last year’s state semifinals team.

“They’re certainly good enough to beat anybody in this region if you don’t play well,” McPherson said.

The Vikings are also capable of beating anyone, as they have shown.

While every other Region 1-AAAAA team has fallen to the Vikings, they still are looking to defeat the Demons and spring board into the playoffs.

“We want to go forwards not backwards,” McPherson said. “We want to go out there and get better. I think we’ve got a shot to compete, but we don’t want to go out there and go backwards.”