Vikings bring home victories
Published 1:04 pm Tuesday, October 1, 2013
by MARTY ZIER
Sports contributor
Football
The Vikings football (2-2) team made late fourth quarter adjustments to win 12-8 in a league battle against Tacoma Baptist (0-3) Saturday under buckets of rain and menacing wind on Sept. 28.
Down 8-0 a majority of the game, the Vikings gave up a few pass plays in the first half as Crusader quarterback Morgan Wood defied the pouring rain and collected a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Both team’s offenses struggled with slippery conditions as dropped passes and fumbles hindered any rhythm during the rest of the first half.
The third quarter became a defensive standoff as both offenses failed to adjust to the weather. Hard hitting from Viking linebackers Joey Susol and Pasha Bullock rattled the Crusader running game while the rain handled the passing game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Viking coach Scott Harris made the critical adjustment and moved tackle #54 Jay Zier to fullback, and combined with runs from quarterback Demitri Pence, moved the ball to the one yard line when Pence pushed behind center Mackey Cardinell for the quarterback keeper. After a failed two-point conversion, the Vikings trailed 8-6 with five minutes left on the play clock.
Viking kicker Jack Russillo nailed the ensuing kickoff deep into Crusader territory, leaving horrible field position for Wood to run his offense. He launched a deep pass from the first play from scrimmage only to be intercepted by Pence, placing the Vikings on the Crusader 35-yard line with four minutes and ten seconds on the clock.
With the Viking offensive line pumped up and blocking well, Zier took control of the running game and plowed 11 yards straight up the middle of the Crusader defense to score the winning touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, making the score 12-8. With 45 seconds left, Wood fired a final pass down field but was picked off by defensive back Daniel O’Brien, sealing the Viking victory.
Volleyball
The Vikings girls volleyball team escaped with a victory against the Concrete Lions after winning three straight games Thursday.
Coach Greg Sasan said the team played “ugly” in a match that overall Sasan said the Vikings played poorly and were out-hustled despite winning all three games 25-23, 25-23, and 25-17. He said team maturity shifted the advantage to the Vikings over a young Concrete squad.
Girls soccer
The Viking girls soccer (1-2) team traveled to Concrete (0-4) last Thursday for their first league win against the Lions 5-1. Coming off two losses, the hungry young Viking team kept a majority of the initial play pressuring the Lion defense resulting in a 15-yard shot by Diansa Anuenue to the right corner of the net with 11:54 remaining in the first half. With Viking forwards and midfielders applying constant pressure, Matia Schwartz capitalized knocking in a loose ball to make the score 3-0 before half.
Fast moving Viking forward Adia Dolan ripped a shot shortly after the start of the second half continuing the offensive push against the equally young Concrete team. The Lions took advantage of the absence of Viking senior Shelbi Rogers halfway through the second quarter to get on the board after the Orcas midfield defender took the bench after a tumble. Forward Jo Gudgell added the final shot for the Vikings, securing moral victory for the young team.
“It’s not all about winning, but this is good for the players, they have worked very hard,” said Coach Chama Anderson.
Boys soccer
by Jack Russillo
Orcas High School
The Vikings boys soccer team traveled to Cedar Park Christian picking up a win 5-1 on Sept. 24. Good midfield play and a strong offensive display guided the Vikings to their second league win of the season. Sophomore Wylie Kau scored the only goal of the first half on a well-placed shot to the corner. The Vikings ran away with it in the second half, scoring four more goals.
