The North Battleford Comprehensive High School Junior Vikings football team made the most of their one home game this season, as they squeaked out a 14-6 win.
The Vikings played in the Prince Albert Jamboree and a road game in Prince Albert prior to the home game and looked well tuned, as they took on Prince Albert St. Mary's Wednesday.
The Vikings' first drive was run heavy, as are most drives at the junior level, and Taylor Reiley ran the ball four times and picked up a first down and nearly 20 yards. After an incomplete pass from quarterback Brian Hodgins, the Vikings marched their defence out on the field.
Prince Albert moved the ball from their own 46 yard line to the Vikings' 25, but a good tackle in the backfield eventually led to a turnover on downs, as the defence held Prince Albert out of the endzone.
After Reiley picked up nine yards on the ground, the Vikings were bumped back with a penalty. In a second and long situation, Hodgins completed an eight-yard pass to Cole Tenetiuk, but the Vikings were forced to punt to end the first quarter.
Once again the Vikings' defence bent, but didn't break, as Prince Albert started on their own 12-yard line and marked the ball into Vikings' territory. A Vikings' fumble recovery by Riley Isnana ended the drive.
The NBCHS offence responded after the momentum shift and moved the ball 55 yards to score the games first touchdown. The drive started with Dion Tenderoff receiving a toss, and ran for 25 yards. Two plays later, Tederoff received another toss that he ran to the eight-yard line. Hodgins moved forward three yards after the QB keeper. With second and goal from the five, Hodgins hit Joey Carriere with a five-yard out. Carriere made a good catch and made two Prince Albert players miss, as he smashed his way into the endzone.
Carriere was stopped on the run for the two-point convert, but the Vikings led 6-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Hodgins, who was the kicker, was the last man back and made a great open field tackle in Vikings' territory to stop the St. Mary's return.
Tanner Craig made a big defensive stop and forced Prince Albert to again punt the ball.
The Vikings couldn't generate any offence their next drive and Prince Albert looked to score on the final play of the half, but Noah Stillar intercepted the ball to end the second quarter and the Vikings led 6-0 at the break.
Brandon Westwood started the second half at quarterback for the Vikings. He did a great job getting the ball to Reiley, who had five touches and 41 yards rushing on the drive, but bobbled a toss and the Vikings turned the ball over on downs.
The next Prince Albert drive was stalled, as Tevan Williams and Grady Nash both had good tackles in the backfield to force a St. Mary's punt.
The Vikings put together a 13-play drive and put the ball in the endzone once more. Taylor rushed for 26 yards on the drive, Carriere rushed for six and received a pass from Hodgins for 12 yards. Hodgins ran a QB sneak for a first down and finally Tederoff received a toss, which he ran in for a five-yard touchdown.
Erik Olson converted on the convert on the end around and the score was 14-0.
The next drive, Prince Albert finally broke the defence, as they returned the kickoff to the Vikings' 20-yard line and converted on a toss to the outside. The convert attempt was good and the score was 14-8.
The Vikings fumbled on their next drive and with five plays remaining in the game, St. Mary's looked for the tie. An incomplete pass in the endzone spoiled the Prince Albert drive and the Vikings held onto win a 14-8.
It was truly a team win, as the Vikings' offensive line were able to spring their running backs and quarterback for close to 200 yards rushing and the defence did a great job of making big plays when it counted.
Next for the Junior Vikings will be their final game of the season in Prince Albert against St. Mary's Thursday.
