Defense rises to the occasion

Chalk this one up to the defense.

Up by only a touchdown at the half, and with the offense unable to put the ball in the end zone during the third and fourth quarters, the Viking defense would have to rise to the occasion to ensure a 14-7 victory over Charles Wright Academy at home Oct. 29.

No problem. Not only did the defenders prevent the Terriers from scoring, they stopped Charles Wright Academy in its tracks. During that second half, the Vikings held Charles Wright to just two first downs and 48 yards overall -- 23 on the ground and 25 in the air.

The Terrier quarterback was rushed unmercifully every time he went back to pass, and the runners were greeted by a host of Vikings every time they attempted to gain yardage on the ground.

This was a true team effort in which every member of the Orcas defense helped shut down Charles Wright, although coach Dennis Dahl made special mention of Miles Murphy, Josh Mayson, Kyle Wahlberg and Andy Nigretto.

Charles Wright scored on its first possession to take a 7-0 lead, but don't blame the defense for that one. A Viking fumble on the team's 19 yard line set up the Terriers for an easy score. Fortunately, there would be no more gift turnovers in the shadow of the Vikings' goal line.

Orcas tied the game later in the quarter on a perfectly thrown pass from Mayson to Murphy. Murphy was double-teamed, but Mayson managed to loop the ball over two defenders' out-stretched arms and into Murphy's hands in the end zone.

Orcas took the lead in the second quarter on a short run by Wahlberg. The key play on the drive came on fourth-and-three at the Charles Wright 30 yard line. Dahl thought about punting, but his kids wanted to go for the first down. The coach decided to give the kids their chance. "I wanted to show them that I had confidence in them," he said. Dahl then yelled at his kids to rise to the occasion and make the first down. Mayson handed the ball to Chris Troutman, while the offensive line pushed the Terriers back. The play, which gained four yards, kept the drive alive, and eventually led to a score.

Orcas then went for two points on the conversion. The strategy worked when Mayson found Chandler Stone in the end zone.

Orcas had a great chance to add to its lead in the third quarter when it got inside the Terrier one yard line. But Orcas was penalized for pushing its runner in the back, and with the rain now pouring, a field goal attempt failed because of a bad snap.

As soon as the game ended, all thoughts turned to Thursday's game against Friday Harbor, which will take place at 2:30 p.m. on the Vikings' field.

The Wolverines are ranked the number two Class A team in the state. Not only are they unbeaten, they're also untested, having won every one of their games by a huge margin.

Nevertheless, both Dahl and Friday Harbor coach Richard Ledford are expecting a tough battle. Ledford, who scouted Orcas last Saturday, said he has the highest respect for coach Dahl and the Orcas team. Dahl returned the compliment.

But the Vikings will have to do battle without starting back Joe Sumrall, who injured his knee in the game against Charles Wright.

Regardless of the outcome of Thursday's game, which will decide the Island Cup, Orcas will enter the state football playoffs next Tuesday in Centralia at 7 p.m. The opponent will be either Toutle Lake or South Bend.

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