Vikings wrangle the Cowboys 42-0

The Bigfork Vikings wrangled the Conrad Cowboys 42-0 on Sept. 14 and Plains forfeited the Vikings originally scheduled game for Sept. 21. This makes the Vikes 4-0 for the season and 1-0 for conference play.

“I was quite pleased, when all three aspects of the team play well I just feel like we have gotten better in all three games which is what you strive for,” coach Todd Emslie said.

The Vikings progress became particularly evident in the third quarter. In their first two games of the season the opposing team would squeeze in one touchdown in the third quarter, but the Cowboys weren’t so lucky.

In the first quarter the Vikings scored 21 points, and 14 points in the second quarter. The clock started running at the start of the third quarter when the Vikings scored seven points. This time around they were able to cut down on turnovers and kept mistakes to a minimum, despite their 42-point lead.

Boyd Rieke led the way in total rushing yards, contributing 149 of the 163 total yards the Vikings gained on Friday.

“He’s a tough runner and when our offensive line works like that, and Boyd can run like that, it makes things simple for passing,” Emslie said.

Colter Trent has eight completed passes for a total of 178 yards and three touchdowns. And on the receiving end, Chris Landon and Austin Jordt paved the way; Landon, with 87 yards and one touchdown and Jordt with 54 yards and two touchdowns.

The offensive line did an excellent job of keeping the field open for Trent. Matt Edwards did some serious damage with 6.5 tackles followed close behind by Cameron Nissen and Austin Jordt with five tackles each.

“Matt Edwards is kind of a spark out there,” Emslie said. “Whenever you hear those loud hits, Matt Edwards is somewhere out in the area.”

Unfortunately, the Vikings won’t have an opportunity to give an encore performance this Friday as Plains announced their forfeiture on Monday morning. Plains lost to Loyola Sacred Heart 79-0 on Sept. 14 and lost several players to injuries in the process.

One of Plains players is out with a broken collarbone and three others have concussions as a result of their game against Loyola.

“I don’t know what happened between Loyola and Plains, but a 79-0 score doesn’t impress me, I should say that about what Loyola did,” Emslie said. “I don’t think it shows good sportsmanship or class, it’s demoralizing. I feel bad for those Plains boys.”

Plains activities director Mike Cole left the possibility open that their team will return to the field later this season.

“I am totally bummed out the kids don’t have a game to play on Friday night, but it’s out of our hands so we’ll move forward and get ready for our next game in two weeks,” Emslie said. “Regardless of the score of the game, it is important to get under the lights on Friday and go through preparations to play the game. And when they don’t have it, it’s something our boys won’t have back.”

The Viking’s next game is scheduled for Sept. 28 against Troy.