Losing a host of senior contributors could have doomed Gibraltar’s football team, but instead their underclassmen are stepping up. Thirteen freshmen and sophomore dot the roster with many already making meaningful contributions. In Saturday’s 50-38 victory over NEW Lutheran/Oneida Nation, the Vikings forced four turnovers including an interception by sophomore Sam Lindenberg and a fumble recovery by freshman Giuseppe Mercier. Thanks in part to some lopsided games during their current 4-1 campaign, the underclassmen are already getting meaningful playing time in all phases of the game. Gibraltar head coach Mike Peck is taking pride in his depth as the season crosses the midway point.

Peck is also happy other players that do not necessarily make the score sheet as much as conference offensive leaders Alex Laughlin and Luke Steebs are quietly having good seasons. Gibraltar will host their homecoming game this Friday against Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas on 105.1 The Viking beginning at 7 p.m. with the kickoff.