Football is a game of inches, and that was never more true than the Cook County Vikings’ last campaign down the field late in the fourth quarter against the South Ridge Panthers, who were the visiting team on Friday, Sept. 27.
Down 28-32, the Vikings marched the ball to the Panthers’ 15-yard line with about three minutes remaining on the clock. On a fourth and inches, Viking quarterback Adam Dorr executed what looked like a perfect quarterback sneak for the first down. However, the referees spotted Adam’s forward progress well short of Adam’s forward progress and the Vikings turned the ball over on downs to the Panthers, who ran out the clock.
South Ridge came into the game as the big favorite sporting a 3-1 mark. The Panthers were physically bigger than the Vikings, and their line-up showed a wealth of substitutes. That made little difference though, as the Vikings jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Adam Dorr connected on a touchdown pass to Vaughn Swindlehurst and Aram Falter ran in for a first-quarter score. Adam ran in for the two-point conversion to make it 14-0.
Midway through the second quarter the Panthers scored a rushing touchdown and converted the two points. On the ensuing kickoff, the Vikings fumbled the ball and the Panthers recovered, scoring almost immediately on a nice run from Logan Young, their speedy senior running back. The Panthers converted the two-point try and just like that, the Vikings were down 16-14.
Following the kickoff, the Vikings wasted little time answering right back. Adam, who isn’t known as a quarterback who runs very often, took the snap on a second down and ran for 46 yards. A couple of short runs by Falter brought the ball to the Panthers’ 20-yard line. From there Adam threw a 20-yard teardrop to a sprinting Jordan Porter who caught the ball as it dropped in over his shoulder for a touchdown. The Vikings failed to convert their two-point try but led 20-16.
Running behind their big line, Connor Bushbaum (83 yards total) and Logan Young (64 yards total) would each score a touchdown in the third quarter and the Vikings got one touchdown on an Adam Dorr run. The Panthers completed both two-point tries and the Vikings completed their two-point try in that quarter and once again the Panthers were in the lead, 32-28. And that’s how the score would remain.
For the game Adam led all rushers, gaining 174 yards on 19 carries for a 9.1 average. Aram Falter rushed 22 times, gaining 63 yards. South Ridge ran for 275 yards in the game. Bushbaum and Young each ran for two touchdowns to lead South Ridge.
Adam passed for 132 yards, going 7-14 with two touchdowns. South Ridge attempted two forward passes, completing one for nine yards.
Daunte Deschampe had three catches for 19 yards. Masen McKeever caught two balls for 64 yards and Vaughn Swindlehurst and Jordan Porter each had one catch, both for touchdowns.
The Vikings finished with 13 first downs to the Panthers 12, and the Vikings outgained the Panthers 369 yards to 284.
Hard-hitting middle linebacker Keenan Hingos once again led the team in tackles with 17. Masen McKeever finished with 9; Isiah Deschampe had 7, Adam Dorr 7, Jordan Porter 5, Danny Deschampe 4, Daunte Deschampe 4, Aram Falter 2, Patrick Pierre 1, Kole Anderson 1, and Anthony Wiele 1.
Masen McKeever and Adam Door both recovered fumbles in the game.
Penalties hurt the Vikings. The team ended with four 15-yard penalties for 60-yard loss while South Ridge had four penalties for a loss of 45 yards.
“I was very proud of the way we played,” said head coach Mike Prom. “The kids played tough, physical football against a very strong opponent. You never want to lose, but we gave ourself a chance to win. We can argue about that last spot, but you never want to let it to the point where the game is decided on that. I thought Adam Dorr played a great game. The defense played a good game. We’re a young team and we keep getting better each week.”
On a positive note for Viking fans, Jonathan Huskey has recovered from a neck injury he suffered in the Ely game and will be back in the lineup against Silver Bay, said Prom.
The Vikings play Silver Bay in Silver Bay at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. They come home to play Northeast Range on Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
Leave a Reply