(By Coach Jon Baue) BRIDGEPORT — The Vikings made the long road trip to Bridgeport to face the 8-1 Bulldogs for an afternoon Round 2 playoff game.
We knew we would have to have a near-perfect game to come out on top and the Vikes started out playing just that way. We received the opening kickoff and after some outstanding blocking, Matthew Schindler split the coverage and returned the kickoff for a touchdown. The PAT failed and the Vikes LED 6-0 with just nine seconds off the clock.
After holding the Bulldogs to a three and out, the Vikes again took the ball, this time with 75 yards to cover. On the second play of the drive, Kaleb Gardner read his blockers superbly and found an opening down the sideline all the way to the one-yard line. Gardner then took the ball into the end zone on the next play for the score. PAT failed and we would lead 12 to 0 after the first quarter.
The Bulldogs would have their time to shine in the second quarter, scoring two touchdowns of their own, but failing on the PAT attempts to make the score 12 to 12 at halftime.
The third quarter would see the Bulldogs find the end zone early, but again miss the PAT attempt to take the lead 12 to 18. A few plays later by the Vikings, Matthew Schindler would find a gap in the defense and scamper down the sideline 73 yards for a Vikings score. The PAT attempt failed, to tie the game at 18.
The Bulldogs would find the end zone twice more this quarter and take a 18 to 30 lead into the fourth quarter.
Turnovers would be a contributing factor the second half as the Vikes and Bulldogs would both have them more than once, but the Bulldogs were able to turn them into points and the Vikes were unable to capitalize on them.
The Bulldogs would add eight more points in the fourth quarter while holding the Vikings scoreless to take the victory, 18 to 38.
While the season ends at 8 wins and 2 losses for the Vikings, I can’t help but praise this group of kids and coaches for their hard work and dedication to the program this year. Unfortunately injuries this time of year can be detrimental to a team and we had some prior and during the playoff run.
These guys either played through the injuries or stepped up to fill in where we asked them to without hesitation and that is all we can ask of them.
“Be prepared to play in a spot you’re uncomfortable with” and “give 100% every play” — they did that and that is how you become a successful team. This year Wausa-Osmond was a successful team, and these kids can cherish the memories they have created as a team for the rest of their lives.
I would like to thank the players, coaches, administrative staff, bus drivers, stat guys, parents, fans and anyone who stood behind this team this year. It did not go unnoticed!
