Vikings open with a big win against McGregor

Sophomore running back Ray Dressley ran for four touchdowns to lead the Cook County Vikings to a 52-8 win over the McGregor Mercuries in the team’s Friday, September 3 home opener.

Dressley ran for a 26-yard score in the first quarter, 61- and 62-yard touchdowns in the third quarter and capped off his night with a one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He also converted two runs for two-point scores.

Junior quarterback Paul Dorr ran for a 51-yard touchdown and threw a 17-yard strike to his brother Jacob, the lone senior on the team. The touchdown to Jacob gave the Vikings a 12-8 lead in the second quarter. Jacob next caught a two-point conversion from Paul and the Vikings were off to the races.

For all intents and purposes the Vikings put the game away when they stopped McGregor on downs deep in the Mercuries territory with less than one minute to go in the half. Looking to pass, Paul Dorr couldn’t find an open receiver, so he tucked the ball away and ran for an eight-yard touchdown. Paul completed the two-point conversion pass to Ryan Christiansen and the Vikings went into the half leading 28-8. After receiving the kick-off to open the second half, Ray Dressley took the first hand-off 61 yards for a touchdown.

Kole Anderson led the team in tackles and was a force on defense the whole game. Paul Pierre was the Vikings big run stopper, shutting down the middle of the field. Dressely also ended with an interception on defense and the young Vikings, one senior, six juniors and the rest sophomores and freshman, played disciplined defense in a game that could have been more competitive if the team hadn’t made so many big plays.