Homecoming leaves the Vikings empty handed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Hunter McIntyre

Sports Editor

East Coast Prep visited the Vikings last saturday for their homecoming game. HVCC had a lot to play for as many students and relatives came to watch the game. They had lost three straight games and looked to get back on track.

In the first quarter the vikings were looking to set the but failed getting only 16 yards on the first drive.

East Coast Prep then took advantage of the vikings defense completing a 45 yard pass. The vikings then got called for pass interference giving East Coast Prep excellent field advantage that led to a 3 yard touchdown run putting the Vikings Down 6-0 in the first.

The rest of the first quarter was a defensive battle as neither team managed to get any points.

Opening the second quarterback Nick Rango completed a clutch pass to running back Halijah McLean for 13 yard on 4th and 10 to extend the vikings drive, however they didn’t manage to get any points due to a missed 40 yard field goal.

The Vikings defense came up big in next drive as Jericho Sylla managed to get an interception allowing the offense to set up on their own 39 yard line.

Fresh off the interception Halijah McLean broke off a 53 yard touchdown run tying the game at six.

After multiple fruitless drives by both teams McLean had another touchdown run for 13 yards set up by a 17 yard pass from Nik Rango to melvin Reid.

The score at the end of the half was 13-6 vikings.

At at halftime a HVCC parent said. “ I really like the way were playing on both sides of the ball. The defense came up with that big interception that set up the offense for the touchdown.” They also mentioned “ I like the way were getting the ball to our playmakers and they seem to be doing a great job of setting up the run.”

Another audience member said “ I really think our offensive line has stepped up. I didn’t like how much our players have been getting hit in the backfield but we seemed to have really improved this week.”

Opening the next half Halijah McLean ran in another touchdown for his third of the game making the score 20-6 vikings.

Then East Coast Prep completed a 45 yard touchdown bringing them to within 8.

The vikings couldn’t get anything going on their next drive and were forced to punt. From there HVCC’s defense was unsuccessful at stopping East Coasts offense marching 64 yards down the field on nine plays scoring another touchdown making the difference only 2 points.

In the 4th quarter The Vikes defense gave up yet another big play allowing a 67 yard touchdown and giving up the lead. 24-20 in favor of East Coast Prep.

In the end the vikings managed to get a safety but couldn’t get into field goal range coming up short and dropping their fourth straight game. The final score being 24-20.

After the loss head coach Muehling commented. “ There a lot of ways we can improve. I think defensively we have to tighten up and get more pressure in the backfield. Offensively we’ve got some improvement to do, It’s gonna be tough this week because the team we play this week has only given up like 12 points on the season so we’re gonna have to find ways to move the ball on them and we have to avoid going three and out.”

He also said “ We have to be able to run the ball which we did a lot better this last week but then we lost Halijah “Pooh” McLean so there’s no telling if hell be available for this game, we’re gonna have to do it without him.”

The Vikings play this saturday at home versus Army Prep where they will be looking to snap the streak and get back on track.