Viking football releases 2018 schedule

Vikings+running+onto+the+field+in+a+game+against+Delta+College+in+Stockton+on+September+30%2C+2017.

Aaron Tolentino

Vikings running onto the field in a game against Delta College in Stockton on September 30, 2017.

Aaron Tolentino, Sports editor

Diablo Valley College football released its 2018 schedule last Saturday with kickoff times and locations for all the games.

The Vikings open up their 2018 campaign with a three-hour bus ride to Coalinga on Aug. 31 to play West Hills College, a team they haven’t faced since 2005.

According to linebacker Tuineau Pulu, the fact that DVC hasn’t played this team in over a decade makes the first game a challenge due to the unfamiliarity.

Then, the Vikings have their home-opener on Sept. 7 against Feather River, who they beat 33-14 last season.

For the next couple of weeks, Sacramento City City and Sierra College present as opponents DVC did not face last year. They play Sacramento City at home on Sept. 14 and Sierra on Sept. 22 in Rocklin.

The Vikings then play a stretch of four familiar Bay 6 Conference opponents they played last year. The schedule is set up to essentially switch the venues of the home team from last year’s matchup.

On Sept. 29, they face San Joaquin Delta College at home and head to Hayward to play Chabot College on Oct. 13, both teams in which the Vikings pulled off dramatic late, game-winning drives in those games last season.

The Vikings’ next two games are against Bay 6 powerhouses, City College of San Francisco on Oct. 19 and College of San Mateo on Oct. 27. DVC suffered big losses to these teams last year, 59-7 against City and 45-14 against San Mateo.

These two teams spotlight the Bay 6 Conference, which is one of the toughest community college football conferences in the nation.

Then, the Vikings host the Bay 6’s newest member school, Laney College, on Nov. 2, a team they haven’t played since 2013.

DVC will play their regular-season finale on the road against Santa Rosa Junior College, the team that beat them on a heartbreaking 24-20 loss last season.

2018 Diablo Valley College Football Schedule

Friday, Aug. 31 — at West Hills, 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 7 — vs. Feather River, 5 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 14 — vs. Sacramento City, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 22 — at Sierra, 1 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29 — vs. Delta, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 6 — BYE
Saturday, Oct. 13 — at Chabot, 6 p.m.*
Friday, Oct. 19 — vs. City College of San Francisco, 7 p.m.*
Saturday, Oct. 27– at San Mateo, 1 p.m.*
Friday, Nov. 2– vs. Laney, 7 p.m.*
Saturday, Nov. 10– at Santa Rosa, 5 p.m.*

*Bay 6 Conference opponent

Schedule release was announced by Vikings head coach Mike Darr via Twitter.