It didn't start well for the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings Friday against Bishop James Mahoney and it didn't get any better as the game went on.
"It showed our lack of football knowledge," said Vikings' coach Jamie Sommerfeld. "We made a lot of mental errors."
On the first drive of the game, the Saints started at the Vikings' 40-yard line and after two running plays, a pass, another run and a pass from Brad Schnitzler to Josh Sawatsky the Saints scored a touchdown. The convert was good for the 7-0 lead.
The Vikings went two-and-out on their first possession and BJM started on their own 43-yard line. After a handful of running plays by Devin Polsfut and penalties by the Vikings, Schnitzler passed for his second major of the game. This time Scott Fraser was on the receiving end of the 27-yard touchdown pass.
The Saints missed the convert and the Vikings were able to hold them out of the endzone on their next possession so the score was 13-0 after 12 minutes.
Early in the second quarter, the Vikings were pinned deep in their own territory and tried to punt from their endzone, but, after a bad snap, they surrendered a safety making it 15-0.
Schnitzler passed for two more touchdowns in the second quarter, one to Tyson Liebel for 29 yards, the other to Sawatsky for four yards. The Saints also recorded another safety and at half time the Vikings trialed 31-0.
In the third quarter, the Saints used the ground and pound strategy and Polsfut ran in two touchdowns with both converts being good making it 45-0.
The last Saints' points came off a 42-yard fumble recovery by Ryan Potie.
There was no scoring in the fourth quarter and the final score was 52-0.
Polsfut finished with 103 yards on the ground while Schnitzler had 114 yards through the air while going 8/14 with four touchdowns and a one interception.
On the Vikings side of the ball, Cole Omelchenko was 3/15 for 67 yards. Landon Albert, Eric Charabin and Lyle Stepanic all had one reception. Cody Buziak led all Vikings rushers with 36 yards. On defence, Steven Maksymchuk had the Vikings' lone inception and Tyler Wilson had a recovered fumble. The Vikings also attempted one field goal, but missed the attempt.
It doesn't get any easier for the Vikings heading into week four of the season. They will be in Saskatoon to play the 3-0 Evan Harder Souls, who have the league's second best offence and second best defence.
The positive thing about the Vikings 0-2 record would be the teams they lost to, BJM and Marion Graham in week one, have beat everyone they have faced so far. Three teams are undefeated while four remain winless.
Sommerfeld says that although the football knowledge isn't there yet, he believes this team can right the ship with a bit more dedication and a "renewed aggression" before it is too late.
