JV football Vikings kick off their season
Published 10:12 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Sno-Valley Junior Varsity Vikings opened their 1999 football
season by playing host to the Woodinville Falcons last Saturday.
The game was dominated early by the defensive units of both teams,
resulting in a 2-0 halftime score, in favor of the Falcons. The Vikings
were eventually able to wear down the visitors and prevailed with a 12-2 victory.
The Viking defense whitewashed the Woodinville offense despite
the fact that the ball was in Viking territory most of the first half. The
defensive effort was lead by the outstanding play of LB James McKiernan
(recovered fumble and three tackles for loss), CB Jason Rothgeb
(interception) and LB Adam Rothgeb (three tipped passes and a dozen tackles). The
entire defensive unit was solid, allowing no first downs after the initial
Falcon drive.
By contrast, the Viking offense had difficulty getting untracked in the
first half. They failed to get a first down in the first half and gave up a safety
for the only Falcon points. After a halftime talk by the coaching staff,
the Vikings kicked off, stopped the Falcons and forced a punt. The
punt bounded by the Viking return men and rolled to the Viking 9 yard line,
where the Vikings’ offense took over.
Two runs for loss brought up a third and 15 from the four. Coach
Ken Hudson decided to risk another safety and called for a QB keeper around
the left end. Key blocks by TE Jesse Salopek, OG Kyle Green and OT
Gregory Linn opened a gaping hole for QB Chet Schroeter. Once
Schroeter got past the line of scrimmage, it was a race for the end zone – a 95 yard
race that the swift Schroeter won handily! A failed PAT attempt left the score
6-2, and the Vikings never looked back.
Another strong stand by the defense gave the Vikings the ball on
their own 30 yard line. The Vikings took the game by the throat and drove
70 yards in nine plays for the clinching score.
The drive was highlighted by a 50 yard reverse executed by WR
Anthony Vasquez and culminated in a one-yard TD run by Schroeter. The Vikings
devoured seven minutes off the clock, leaving the Falcons out of time
and out of luck.
Coach Ken Hudson cited the offensive line for “Never giving up
and keeping their heads high” and the defense for “coming to play.”
Improved blocking in the second half allowed the Vikings to gain control and
dominance in this opening game.
The Vikings battle a highly-touted Inglemoor team at Issaquah
High School on Saturday, looking to avenge their 1998 season-ending loss.
