Football Victory A Long Time Coming

The Vikings defeated Monroe College 18-17 for their first program win in almost two years on Oct. 13. This was 708 days, or 101 weeks, after the last time the Hudson Valley football team had a victory, which was Nov 5, 2010.

“It meant a lot to us. After the game, everyone was ecstatic because we now know what a win feels like,” said Tight End Josh Gross.

“The first one is always the toughest and we hope the others are a little easier,” said Head Coach Mike Muehling.

The win is Muehling’s first win as Head Coach of the football team. “Obviously, I anticipated it coming a lot sooner, but it never did, so it was really nice getting this one,” Muehling said.

Muehling is in his second year as Head Coach of the Vikings, and returning players, such as Gross, Linebacker Gordie Pine, and Wide Receiver Brandon Rowe, wanted to get this win for their coach.
“It felt good because it meant a lot to him and it was his first win in JuCo,” Gross said.

“Coach Muehling is a great coach and he’s always there for us, so it was great getting him his first win,” said Pine.

Rowe said, “We got to throw the Gatorade on him after the game and he deserved it.”

The 7:30 p.m. scheduled kickoff time was pushed back to 8:30 p.m. because of a miscommunication with transportation, and the Vikings were left with just 10 minutes to stretch before they took the field.

A collective effort was needed to make up for the late arrival to the game. “We were just on the bus, getting on the mindset before we even got there,” Pine said.

“At the time, I thought that might be the reason why we would lose. I didn’t think we would play well, but we came out more intense and ready to ball,” Rowe said.

“We didn’t get a chance to think about it. We just stepped on the field and did what we had to do,” said Quarterback Jalen Holmes.

A lot of players were able to keep focus on the bus and it showed on the field.

Lineman Landon Moore led Vikings with 10 tackles, three of which were for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick.

Holmes went 8-23 for 84 yards and three touchdowns. “I think the important thing that Jalen did was manage the game well,” said Muehling. “It was a relatively mistake-free game. Not having any interceptions really gives you a great chance to win.”

Gross had 69 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Runningback Nate Robinson had 75 yards on the ground.
Hudson Valley earned the victory by how many of the players played, but one play got Muehling a Gatorade shower. A late fourth quarter interception by Ke’Shaun Allen not only gave the Vikings the ball, but, more importantly, the game.

“The interception sealed the game for us,” Muehling said.

The Vikings are 1-6 and players think that they can build off of the win. “Our confidence is up 100 percent. We feel like we can finish the season 5-6,” Rowe said.

“We haven’t had the type of season we’ve wanted, but it would be nice to end the year with a couple of wins,” said Pine.

“We definitely have more confidence. I see guys flying around in practice and looking a lot happier,” Holmes said.

With confidence and happiness come other aspects of the game. “Guys look a lot more focused and we actually believe now,” said Holmes. “When you see things going good, it really motivates you.”

Hudson Valley looks for its second victory of the year when the Vikings play Navy Prep on Saturday at 1 p.m.