North Salinas football

North Salinas Vikings (9-3, 6-0)
 It almost feels like a punishment.
 North Salinas turned its program around in one season, going from 2-8 in 2014 to 9-3 and a Pacific Division title last fall.
 Of course, the reward for such achievements is a return this fall to the Gabilan Divison, with just 10 returning players from last year.
 Yet, this time head coach Darren Spence believes the program is prepared to meet the challenge of a division that sends five teams to the postseason each year.
 "I was not sure getting moved up was the right thing in the beginning,'' Spence said. "But these kids have made a tremendous commitment in the weight room to prepare themselves.''
 Spence has a roster that will hover around 45 players -- 40 of which have squatted 300 pounds or more in the off-season.
 While graduation stripped North Salinas of 20 players -- most of which played significant roles in reaching the CCS Division I quarterfinals last season -- the cupboard is far from bare.
 The Vikings have one of the elite offensive and defensive lineman in the county in Fabian Hunkin, who possesses a combination of speed and strength in the trenches.
 The 6-foot-2 Hunkin -- who reached the state meet last spring in the discus - has a motor that doesn’t quit, and is being recruited by Nevada and San Jose State.
 "The confidence level this year is a lot better than last year,'' Hunkin said. "I think we're ready for the  Gabilan Divison. It's good challenge."
  Offensively, Hunkin’s job is to protect the blind side of returning quarterback Tim Burkhardt, who threw for over 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall, and led the team in rushing.
 One of Burkhardt’s targets will be Justin Robante, who utilized his 100 meter speed last year to catch 20 passes, while Tim Hunter will line up in the slot. Arturo Garcia is another option.
 "We have more numbers compared to my sophomore year when we were in the Gabilan,'' Garcia said. "Our competitive level is also up after going 9-3. No one wants to go back to 2-8.''
 Given the Vikings speed at the skilled positions, Burkhardt won’t need a lot of time to get the ball down field. Still, it doesn’t hurt having a pair of returning lineman, including Jimmy Weaver.
 The concern for North Salinas is can it withstand the physical pounding absorbed in the Gabilan Division on a weekly basis? Spence hopes to limit the amount of players going both ways.
 The Vikings did go 1-1 against Gabilan opponents last season. North Salinas also seemed to get stronger as games wore on, outscoring opponents 88-28 in the third quarter.