|
|
Recko Helmerson-Skildum picking a blocked punt and running for the touchdown. Photos courtesy of Jamie Rex
Football games don’t get more exciting than last Friday night’s match between the Cook County Vikings and Ely Timberwolves. A last-minute goal line stand in double overtime preserved the 58-50 win for the Vikings.
Following the game Vikings Head Coach Steven Anderson had high praise for his squad. “On Friday the kids showed perseverance through the entire game which led to the winning outcome on the field. Senior Fullback, and Linebacker Kole Anderson led the team defensively and offensively through the double overtime win. Sophomore Quarterback Hunter Rex showed poise in the pocket and had his best outing of the season thus far. Defensively we have lots to improve on and are making strides to shore up our defensive front this week.”
First quarter action was pedestrian as Ely went into the second quarter up 8-6. The Vikings weren’t able to push their two-point conversion across the line and this would be an issue until overtime.
Second quarter play saw the Vikings outscore the Timberwolves 18-0 on three touchdowns and the Vikings led 24-8 at halftime. Once again, the Vikings weren’t able to convert any of their two-point conversions after touchdowns.
Ben Rex with the quarterback sack
In the third quarter Ely scored 20 points and held the Vikings to 12 and the Viking’s lead was trimmed to eight points. Ely added 14 more points in the fourth and once again the Vikings scored a touchdown and if they could have converted their two points, they would have won the game. Instead, the Timberwolves stopped the two-point conversion, and the teams were tied going into the first overtime.
Ely and Cook County both recorded touchdowns and two-point conversions to set up a second overtime. Finally, the Vikings scored on a 41-yard pass play form Hunter Rex to Ryan Christiansen who carried the ball across the goal line. The Vikings made their two-point conversion and then held on to stop Ely at the goal line and take a 58-50 win.
Viking sophomore quarterback Hunter Rex was 10-16 for 160 yards through the air. Hunter also rushed five times and picked up 28 yards on the ground.
Hunter Rex passing for the game-tying touchdown in the final seconds of regulation.
Senior running back Ryan Christiansen rushed for 121 yards on nine carries. He scored two rushing touchdowns and one on the 41-yard winning pass play. Senior fullback Kole Anderson carried 13 times for 71 yards, scoring three touchdowns.
Rohan Rude rushed six times for 12 yards and Arlo Christensen carried once for one yard.
Amos Falter had four catches for 61 yards and one touchdown. Recko Helmerson had three catches for 42 yards, MaCoy Fairbanks (8th grade) had one catch for 11 yards and Rohan Rude had one catch for five yards.
Ray Dressely performed the kick-off duties. His eight kicks averaged 36 yards per kick.
Ryan Christiansen returned two kickoffs for 50 yards and Amos Falter returned two for 21 yards.
Tackles
Kole Anderson had 28 tackles in the game which isn’t a bad season total for some. Kole had nine unassisted tackles and was in on 19 other tackles.
Kole Anderson diving for the winning touchdown in the second overtime.
Calvin Battees had 11 tackles, Ben Rex 10, Ryan Smith 8, Rohan Rude 8, Ryan Christiansen 7, Reuben Youngdahl 5, Recko Helmerson 5, Cade Smith 3, Rayce Gibson 3, and four players each had one tackle, J. Backstrom, Amos Falter, Hunter Rex, and Ray Dressely.
Four players each had one sack in the game, R. Youngdahl, Ben Rex, Cade Smith and Ryan Smith.
Ryan Christiansen also had one blocked punt.
With the win the Vikings record is now 2-1.
Leave a Reply