With so many new starters on the field, and so many of them young players, coaches and fans knew the first game against the Marshall Hilltopers played at Marshall last Friday afternoon, August 30, was likely going to be rough. And for the first half it was very rough on the Vikings as Marshall running backs did their best to impersonate another Viking, Minnesota Viking running back Adrian Peterson.
When Jeremy Stephan and Charlie Kratz weren’t running past Viking defenders they were running through them, shedding as many as four tacklers on their way to the end zone. At the end of the first half it was Marshall 41 and the Vikings 0.
In fact, the Viking’s only offense in the first half was a 14-yard run by Jacob Schroeder and a nice 23-yard scamper by Jacob Wieben. Those two runs generated the team’s only two first downs for the first two quarters of play.
But the second half started out much better for the Vikings. Coach Mitch Dorr and his staff settled the kids down and in an act of good sportsmanship, Marshall’s head coach pulled many of his starters.
First-time starting quarterback Leo Johnson, a sophomore, connected on a couple of nice passes to wide receiver Owen Anderson and running backs Jacob Schroeder and Jake Wieben began running for consistent yardage behind some nice blocking from the line. Meanwhile, the defense, which is made up of the offensive starters, found their groove and started tackling and laid some nice licks on Marshall’s second team players.
The Vikings’ first touchdown came on a four-yard run by Schroeder during the middle of the third quarter. Wieben ran in for the two-point conversion to make the score 41-8. In the fourth quarter the Vikings again put together a nice drive and Schroeder took the ball in from two yards out. Johnson hit Jamie Wick with a nice pass for the two-point conversion to make the score 41-16. With Marshall’s top players resting, the Vikings controlled the third and fourth quarters completely, putting together several nice offensive series and stopping the Hilltoppers in their tracks.
The Vikings’ first home game is Friday, September 6 against Hinckley-Finlayson who also lost their opener. Game time is 7 p.m. The annual Tailgate Party will be held from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. behind the school. Burgers, brats, hot dogs, chili, chips, cookies and beverages will be available. Adults get in for $10; children 10 and under $6. All proceeds benefit Cook County athletic programs.
Come out and support your Vikings!
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