The Vikings football team traveled to a very wet West Seattle Stadium on Oct. 13 and battled the Seattle Lutheran Saints to an exhilarating, turn-over filled, fourth quarter victory, 27-19.

Coach Scott Harris had told the players before last week’s victory that this was the start of a new season, and the team felt the pressure as they faced a stronger opponent. The challenge loomed as the 15 Vikings, some key players sick, prepared for the historically close contest.

The Saints struck quick, driving their opening possession to a score. The off balance Vikings offense seemed water logged as their first possession ended with an interception and the next hindered by a bad snap. The Vikings rallied with a Jack Russillo field goal, edging the score 7-3. Poised to score after a defensive end Jay Zier fumble recovery, quarterback Daniel Briggs was picked a second time. Taking advantage of the turnover, the Saints immediately uncorked a 95-yard touchdown run on busted Viking defense.

Blocking the Saint extra point conversion followed by another Russillo field goal reversed the Viking frustration as Orcas edged closer 13-6. Pumped up, Viking defense stiffened as defensive end Jake Zier flatten the scrambling Saint quarterback as Dimitri Pence, Rylan Date, Devon Stanzione and Briggs covered receivers.

Momentum seemed lost as Viking fullback Jake Zier fumbled the ball, but Briggs quickly clawed the muddy ball and danced the sideline for the Vikings first touchdown, balancing the score 13-13 by the third quarter.

Yet momentum was as slippery as the ball as another Viking fumble led to another Saint score. With the Saint kicker injured on the previous play, the Saints lined up for a 2-point conversion, but as the big fullback launched, Viking linebackers lead by Di Mowrey and Joey Susol decided to shift the momentum as they hammered the runner back, the hit echoing in the stadium.

Vikings down 19-13 in the fourth quarter, but after the confident Viking defense held the Saints after yet another offensive turnover, Briggs forced his way to a touchdown after a combo of Zier runs and a key sideline reception by Stanzione, extended by a late hit penalty.

Ahead 20-19 with just minutes left, Viking defensive held again, and after taking over on downs, Stanzione ran for the final score.