A combination of penalties, injuries and a struggling offence proved to be the downfall of the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings in their home opener Thursday at Beaver Lions Stadium.
Cole Tenetuik was under centre for the first time since playing junior football for the Vikings, but it wasn't enough of a spark to kick-start the offence. He was forced to scramble to survive at times Thursday.
The Vikings' defence started strong, as they forced a punt on Evan Hardy's first possession and had an interception on the second drive. Tanner Craig, the Vikings Grade 11 star on defence, picked off a pass and ran it back from his own 35-yard line for the major. Dylan Chadwick kicked the convert and the Vikings led 7-0.
The Souls responded on the next drive, tying the game after a 44-yard pass and run play between quarterback Taylor Opdahl and receiver Alex Unruh. Unruh converted the kick and the score was even again.
After trading field position back and forth, the Vikings had a chance to regain the momentum with an interception, but after the catch, the defender fumbled the ball and Evan Hardy recovered. The Souls later capitalized with a run from the one-yard line to take their first lead.
In the second quarter, the Souls led 14-7 and added to that after starting a drive from their own 35-yard line. After a few runs and four passes the Souls scored with Bogdan Anca catching a pass from Opdahl with just over two minutes remaining in the half.
The Vikings tacked on three points, with a Chadwick field goal from 20 yards out, to end the first half.
No points were scored in the second half, but the Vikings were a big play away from 小蓝视频 within striking distance. In the third quarter they thought they had that big play when Craig picked off a pass and again ran it back to the endzone. However, this time, the Vikings took a penalty and the play was negated.
That was as close as the Vikings would get in their season opener. Despite a good effort from the defence they couldn't generate enough offensively to make a push. Tenetuik was injured late in the game along with a tailback and receiver for the Vikings and Cody Buziak stepped in at quarterback in relief.
"I'm very proud of how nobody gave up - that is going to be the character of this team," said head coach Jamie Sommerfeld after the game. "We are already ahead of where we have been in the past."
The Vikings head into a bye week at perhaps a good time, as they will have time to heal the injuries on offence. It would be best to march the defence back on the field and let them build on their season opening performance, but some game film and daily practices are on the schedule for this week.
"They held us in this game, our defence really did step up," said Sommerfeld. "If we clean up those penalties it is probably a four-point game."
The Vikings will be in Prince Albert Sept. 16 to take on Carlton, who won 58-1 over Mount Royal in week one. The Vikings will return to the Battlefords Sept. 22 and face the Bedford Road Redman.
