The Sno-Valley JV Vikings invaded Mercer Island, last

Saturday, Sept. 25, returning home with a hard-fought 8-0 victory.

The Viking defense was dominant from the first snap which resulted in

a fumble recovery by defensive tackle Marcus Adams. After a first down,

the offense sputtered and gave the ball back on downs. Another stellar

defensive stand, featuring a sack by defensive end Michael Killeen, forced

an Islander punt. Cody Hudson returned the punt 34 yards to the Islander

25. The Vikings drive ended on an interception at the nine yard line.

The Islanders moved the ball out of the shadow of their goal posts.

The Vikings defense stiffened and forced a punt. The defense was back on

the field when the punt was fumbled, giving the Islanders the ball at

mid-field. Four downs and out gave the Vikings the ball as the half wound down.

A stellar 36-yard run by quarterback Chet Schroeter drove the ball deep

into Islander territory before the clock ran out, leaving a scoreless tie.

The Vikings opened the second half at mid-field, thanks to a

heady kickoff return by Tylor Littlejohn. Four plays later, the Islanders

took possession of the ball. A crushing blitz by Hudson, resulting in a five

yard loss, set up a 4th and long for the Islanders. Cornerback Jesse

Rice snuffed the Islander drive by intercepting a halfback pass, giving the

Vikings the ball at their own 33.

Again, the Islander defense proved tough, forcing a punt, which

Schroeter boomed 36 yards. The Islanders moved the ball back into Viking

territory and again, the Vikings defense toughened, forcing a pass

situation. Cornerback Adam Rothgeb picked off the pass and the Vikes were back

in business.

The fourth quarter opened with the Vikings moving the ball back

across midfield, but the Islanders’ defense forced another punt. The punt

attempt turned into a near disaster as Schroeter was hit for a loss and fumbled. An

Islander picked up the ball and rambled to the Viking 12, before the

gritty Schroeter recovered and ran down the ball carrier.

Again the Viking defense was called upon to rise to the occasion,

and rise they did! After two stuffs by the defense, the Islanders went back to

the halfback pass. James McKiernan, bull rushing from his middle

linebacker position, blasted the passer. A well-placed helmet punched the ball

loose. Quick-thinking CB Aaron Gascoigne recovered the ball on the bounce

and the race was on. Beautifully executed downfield blocks by Brandon

Reaves, Killian and Littlejohn guaranteed that Gascoigne would complete his

task, and 86 yards later the Vikings led 6-0.

With under four minutes remaining in the game, a picture-perfect

two-point PAT kick by Dusty Hensley finished the scoring.

Coach Ken Hudson cited the defensive unit for coming to play

from the opening gun, but lamented the lost scoring opportunities that their

play provided. The Vikings next battle the Eastlake Wolves at Skyline

High School on Saturday.