Viking Football Notebook

Niles North's Wing-T offense isn't designed to make a star out of its quarterback.

Using an array of fakes and motion, running backs Sam Sharples, Oshayne Brown and Myron Johnson will carry the bulk of the offensive load this season.

But when counted on, QB Bo Bradarich has stepped up in the past two games and become the offensive leader Coach Scott Smith hoped for when he named him the starting QB this season.

His development was evident Friday night when Bradarich passed for four touchdowns, including three to Sunil Rehmani, and had only five incompletions in the Vikings' heartbreaking 38-37 loss to Evanston.

"Bo did everything that he could," Coach Scott Smith said. "He had a rough first game and [the] last game he had six passes for 100 yards or so, but this game he really responded to what we needed to do to win the game."

Bradarich, who is in his first year as the starting QB at the varsity level, credits his performance and chemistry with Rehmani to an offseason full of practice and hard work.  

"We worked all summer together," Bradarich said. "We got close and became good friends on and off the field, and all that work is paying off."

With only three career starts, Bradarich is still adjusting to a game that he says is "faster and quicker" than at the junior varsity level. Like Friday night, teams have tried to force Niles North to throw the ball more by trying to take away its run game.

"I think early we realized that [Evanston] was packing nine guys in the box and they weren't concerned with us throwing the ball," Smith said.

But if Bradarich continues his fast development into a passing weapon that defenses have to account for, that will change - and quickly.

REBOUND OFFENSIVELY: Senior Sunil Rehmani is the only pure wide receiver in Niles North's offensive system. While he is the first option on most passing plays and the best WR the Vikings have, it doesn't save him from Coach Smith's wrath if he makes mistakes.

"Tex [Rehmani's nickname] is unbelievable. I rattled his cage because he fumbled a couple balls and I said, 'Listen you're a senior and that's not going to happen,' " Smith said. "And he responded the way you want a kid to respond."

Rehmani made numerous spectacular catches Friday night, including a couple of receptions where he adjusted to underthrown passes and out-jumped defenders. 

As Bradarich gains more confidence, look for Rehmani to continue posting big numbers for the Vikings offense.

SOPHOMORE SLUMP BUSTER: Niles North lost 26-8 Friday night, but the team scored its first touchdown of the year late in the fourth quarter.