(By Coach Jon Baue) WAUSA — A matchup of undefeated teams met up Friday, Sept. 26, and turned out to be a physical and exciting battle that ended up in the Vikings’ favor. We received the opening kickoff and after a penalty on our first play, we got the ball rolling.
A 5-minute possession turned into six points on a 40-yard pass from Mac Carlson to Matthew Schindler.
The PAT pass from Carlson to Thorell was good and we were up 8 to 0 with 7 minutes 3 seconds left in the first quarter. The rest of the first quarter ended in a stalemate with the Vikes leading 8-0.
A big fourth down stop by the Vi- king defense to start the second quarter gave us the ball back at the 37 yard line with 7 minutes 40 seconds left. Penalties got the better of us and we were forced to punt with 5 minutes 41 seconds left in the second.
The Viking defense stepped up again to force a Bees punt and we got it back with three minutes left in the second quarter. A 16-yard run by Carlson moved us into Bloomfield territory.
Some tough running by Kaleb Gardner moved us into the red zone with 39 seconds left. A Carlson to Thorell pass moved us to the 4 yard line with 14 seconds left. Carlson then found Thorell in the end zone for another score. The PAT run by Carlson was good and we went into halftime up 16 to 0.
The bees came out fired up the second half and two 15-yard back-toback penalties by the Vikings set them up in the red zone quickly. A couple plays later, they ran the ball in from the seven yard line. The PAT attempt was good and the Viking lead was cut in half 16 to 8.
The Bees’ defense turned up the heat and forced a Viking punt. Three plays later, the Bees found a wide open receiver downfield for a 67 yard pass touchdown. The PAT was no good and the Vikings held the lead 16 to 14 with 6 minutes 12 seconds left in the third quarter.
The next Viking drive was fueled with not a sense of urgency but with the fight that this team has had all year. We knew we needed to get some momentum and that’s what the kids got when Carlson found Thorell for a 15 yard pass and score. The PAT attempt failed and we led 22 to 14 with 2 minutes 40 seconds left in the third.
The Bees once again put together a quick scoring drive but were unable to convert the PAT, leaving the score 22 to 20 Vikings at the end of the third quarter. The start of the fourth quarter saw
the Vikings turn the ball over on downs, but our defense quickly got the ball back, forcing a Bloomfield punt. After penalties got the best of the Vikings again, we punted the ball and a Carlson punt set the Bees up deep in their own territory at the seven yard line.
A couple plays later, Gardner came up huge with a fumble recovery at the 10 yard line. Three plays later, Carlson found pay dirt to give the Vikings six more points. The PAT failed and we led 28 to 20 with 4 minutes 47 seconds remaining.
The Viking defense stiffened late and got the ball back for the offense holding the Bees on a 4th and 10. With 3 minutes 38 seconds left, the offense took over at the 35 yard line.
A slow time-consuming drive by the Vikings ended up with six more points on the board when Schindler ran across the goal line with 18 seconds left in the game. The PAT run by Schindler was good and the Vikes sealed the win by a score of 36 to 20.
I feel we really played a physical game that I’m not sure many thought we could do. The kids set the tone from the start and once again proved when the game punches them they are able to punch back and finish. I'm super proud of them but we definitely definitely need to cut down on our penalties.
Bloomfield was a very physical and aggressive team but we knew we could be just as physical if we just stayed focused and disciplined. We are playing well as a team right now and we can’t let this win or being 5-0 go to our heads with more big district games left on our schedule. We will get back to work Monday and put our focus on Hartington/Newcastle.
