The Dacia Vienna Vikings, who captured the 2020 Austrian title in a best-of-five championship series with the Graz Giants, have re-signed one of the keys to the championship as defensive back Andrew Spencer returns.
In the pandemic shortened, two-team 2020 season, Spencer was used solely on defense and led the Vikings with 11 tackles (all solo) and one interception.
Spencer was a crucial factor in the Viking’s run to the Austrian Bowl in 2019 after converting to running back late in the season. The former Winona State (NCAA Div. II) defensive back (6’1″, 210 lbs) who hails from Lake Villa, Illinois, arrived partway through the AFL season. It didn’t take head coach Chris Calaycay and his staff long to figure out that not only was Spencer an excellent defensive back but that he could also run with the ball too. He saw spot duty late in the season scoring three touchdowns. But an injury to starting running back Islaam Amadou made the decision easy and with two games left in the regular season, Spencer was suddenly the starting running back.
He wasted no time. In his first full game as a starter against the Danube Dragons, he exploded for 207 yards on 21 carries, scoring two touchdowns, The following week against the Traun Steelsharks he needed only 12 carries to rush for 219 yards, scoring five touchdowns! Then, in the semifinal win over the Prague Black Panthers, he rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown. In the championship loss to the Swarco Raiders, he carried the ball 19 times for 96 yards as the Raiders defense keyed on him.
So 2021 will be Spencer’s third, but first full, season with the Vikings.
At Winona State, he was a first-team All American in his senior year after starting in all 12 games. He led the team in most defensive categories including tackles recording 83.
Spencer feels that this is the season to really prove what he can do :
“I feel very good now to start my third season with the Vikings and I can hardly wait to complete an entire season with the team. I signed again with the Vikings to win titles, but I also have the feeling that I still want to prove a lot. A personal goal is to be the best player in Europe. Now I have a whole season ahead of me to prove that and to show my potential to the full .”
Dacia Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay is also looking forward to another season with Spencer:
“In my opinion Andrew is without a doubt one of the best import players in Europe and one of the most versatile football players I have ever worked with. Regardless of whether we use him in his traditional position as as defensive back or as a returner, Andrew is dominant, makes plays and is also an explosive weapon on the offensive side of the ball, which he has already proven many times as a running back or as a receiver. I’m very happy that he has re-signed and can’t wait to see what he can do with us in a whole season.”
