NORTHWOOD, Iowa – In many ways, the 2002 season was one of the best ever for coach Dave Capitani and the Northwood-Kensett High School football team.

But it was also a little frustrating.

The Vikings finished an impressive 7-2, and some people felt they were the best Class A team in the state at the end of the season. But they didn’t get a chance to prove it. Only a select few teams in Iowa qualify for the playoffs, and the Vikings’ slow start left them one win away and out for the first time in seven seasons.

“It kind of made me wish we were in Minnesota,” said Capitani. “It’s disappointing not to make the playoffs. But I guess it doesn’t take away from the fact of how well these kids did play.”

It’s also an indication there was capable leadership from the top, and it means Capitani is the Tribune’s Football Coach of the Year for 2002.

The Vikings’ progress this past season was impressive. They had to replace their entire defense and most of the offensive starters from last year. In early September they lost 26-6 to Graettinger but, in week seven, they hammered then No. 2 rated West Bend-Mallard 38-14.

Capitani has heard the talk around town about the Vikings being the best team in the state. He doesn’t know about that, but he definitely feels they belonged in the playoffs.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt we were one of the best 16 teams in the state and very deserving of being in the state playoffs,” said Capitani. “West Bend-Mallard made it to the state semifinals, where they lost 31-8. We beat them 38-14. On paper, it doesn’t really mean a thing. But no doubt, at the end of the season, we were playing some outstanding football. We probably made more progress than any team I’ve ever coached from day one to the end of the season.”

The Northwood-Kensett program has made a lot of progress in Capitani’s 14 seasons at the helm. It was slow going at first, with only four wins and 22 losses the first three seasons, but the Vikings have went 63-12 the last seven years.

As usual, Capitani is quick to credit his players and assistant coaches for much of the success.

“A lot of the credit has to go to the kids,” he said. “We had a lot of overachievers. They worked hard, and others jumped on the bandwagon. They never gave up. Our goal, each week, was to get better, and the kids bought into that and the kids carried out the game plan.”

Another key, according to Capitani, is a coaching staff that’s been together a long time. Daryl Love and Marty Cotter have worked with Capitani for 11 and 10 years, respectively, and volunteer assistant Steve Hartman has been with him for five years.

“They excellent assistants,” said Capitani. “We have a pretty good working relationship, and we’re good friends too. We know what to expect from each other. Without them, we would not have had the success we did.”

While Capitani was disappointed to miss the playoffs, he pointed out that they’re not the only deserving team that was left out. He also doesn’t feel Iowa will expand its playoff system any time soon.

“It’s disappointing that the kids didn’t have an opportunity to show how good a team they really were,” said Capitani. “But that’s the breaks. That’s just how it goes sometimes.”

For now, at least, Capitani plans to keep going as the Vikings’ head coach, and he’s already thought about replacing what he called a special group of seniors.

“This group of seniors made my job, all the coaches’ jobs, very easy this year,” said Capitani. “They were a great group of kids. They worked extremely hard, they were close knit, and they’ll be missed.”