The Vikings football team traveled to Tacoma Baptist Sept. 21 for a league loss in an offensive shootout 64-37. Coach Scott Harris said it took until the second quarter for the Vikings to dial in their offense and move the ball, but after some adjustments, he said “it was off to the races” with the Vikings and Crusaders scoring on almost all possessions. Tough running by quarterback Daniel Briggs, rushing for 154 yards, and Devon Stanzione, with 60 yards, lead the Viking’s running game. Briggs added another 220 yards passing with Stanzione hauling in 213 yards receiving in the air assault. But Harris said the offensive adjustments came too late, “Unfortunately we spotted the Crusaders 41 points before our offense kicked in.”

In a non-league contest against the Coupeville Wolves, the Vikings lost 47-14 in another lopsided team contest. Only 14 suited Vikings took the field Sept. 28 against yet another formidable team. Coach Harris said “The Wolves pounded the ball all night as the Viking defense battled to slow down their run.” The game looked like it might stay close in the first quarter after the Vikings matched the Wolves initial scoring drive on a fullback Jake Zier touchdown run, but the Viking defense and lack of fresh players was no match for such a large pack of Wolves over four quarters. The Orcas offense sputtered with only 128 team yards rushing, but passing was better with quarterback Briggs connecting for 226 yards with 76 to Rylan Date and 73 for Devon Stanzione. Despite being bruised and exhausted, the Vikings never ran out of fight, blocking an extra point attempt in the third quarter and scoring an impressive late fourth quarter touchdown on a Zier run against the well-rested Coupeville defensive starters, put back in just to stop the drive.

Vikings next play Chief Leschi for Homecoming, 1:30 p.m., Oct. 6 at Dahl field.