Lakeview trio signs with Dana football

COLUMBUS - Once a Viking, always a Viking.

The Lakeview trio of Braxton Staack, Victor Bohrer and Zach Lesiak signed letters of intent to play football for the Dana College Vikings Wednesday morning in front of families and friends in the Lakeview weightroom.

Lakeview coach Kurt Frenzen said Dana is getting good football players who were key in the Vikings' 7-3 Class C1-5 district championship season last fall.

The three became the largest group of players to sign with the same school in a class for Lakeview.

“Braxton, Victor and Zach are people who not only played the game very hard, but also players that are very knowledgeable,” Frenzen said. “Their work ethic alone is going to make them very successful. I think they can make Dana's program a lot better.”

Staack and Bohrer will play linebacker for Dana, while Lesiak will most likely be the Vikings' kicker but also play some wide receiver.

Staack said the decision sign with the Blair-based college was similar to Lesiak's and Bohrer's reasons: They liked the coaches and the campus. Also, the three players will reunite with former Lakeview star Thomas Jaixen, who is a sophomore wide receiver for the Vikings.

“I liked the coaching staff,” Staack said. “They made me feel comfortable. I liked the system that they have. I will probably have the same responsibility like I did in high school. It is comforting knowing that Victor and Zach are going to be down there also. It's been fun playing four years with them, and now we'll have another four years. I'm looking forward to it.”

Dana assistant coach Allen Friesen said he liked what he saw from the three players in action.

“I was fortunate to come (to Columbus) and watch them play this season,” Friesen said. “We lost a lot of nice players to graduation last season. I see Braxton playing some linebacker for us a little bit right away because we won't be very deep. I see Zach coming in and get some playing time at kicker right away because he has a good leg. I think Victor will come in and do a good job. We're excited to have them come to Dana because they are three quality kids.”

During the 2006 season, Staack led the Lakeview defense with 31 unassisted tackles and 65 assisted stops. He also caught seven passes for 81 yards with touchdown as a tight end. Bohrer finished the season with 10 unassisted tackles and 17 assisted tackles. As a running back, he carried the ball 29 times for 88 yards.

Lesiak made 25 of 29 extra points and finished with a kickoff average of 47.17 yards for the season. As a quarterback, Lesiak went 50-for-115 passing for 610 yards and three touchdowns passes.

Frenzen said those players will be missed at Lakeview.

“Victor was a player that got better and better as his career came along,” Frenzen said. “He's worked really hard to put himself in position to be the player that he was for us. He's such a knowledgeable player that he will do a good job down there.

“Zach was just a super athlete for us. A lot of people would say he is undersized, but he played above and beyond his size. He was a quick football player for us. He is probably one of the best kickers we had here at Lakeview, and I think he will make an impact at kicker for them.

“Braxton was a kid over the years who became a hard-nosed tough, tough kid for us. He put himself to be considered one of the best linebackers we have ever had. We have had some good linebackers over the years, and I think he is up there. He was a good leader for us.”