Vikings headed for Round 2 after defeating Townsend

After a tough game for three-and-a-half quarters, the Bigfork Vikings pulled ahead to defeat the visiting Townsend Bulldogs Saturday, 28-7.

The third-ranked Vikings will host the Baker Spartans at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Baker — which is nearly in North Dakota — features a run-heavy wishbone offense, Bigfork coach Todd Emslie said.

“They have a very strong tradition,” he said. “They’re always in it. We’re going to need to tackle and play tough. They get off the ball well, and their play-action is effective.”

Baker is 9-2 and finished 4-0 in District 3B. Last week the Spartans defeated Columbus, 42-12.

Emslie said the Vikings’ half of the bracket is the tougher of the two. “It’s just kind of how the chips fall,” he said. The bracket was planned a long time ago. In fact next year’s is already set. On the positive side Bigfork will get to host the rest of its games through the state championship as long as it keeps winning.

Against Townsend, the Vikings had their hands full, especially in the first half when a steady light rain made things challenging. Each team turned the ball over four times.

The Bulldogs dominated the first half but were unable to punch it across the goal line on several occasions.

Sophomore quarterback Jace Lewis provided most of the Spartans’ offense, totaling 207 yards on 27 carries, a 7.6-yard average. The Spartans gained 14 first downs to 10 for Bigfork.

The Vikes got a big break on the opening kickoff when Townsend’s Bryce Green fumbled and Tyler Piazzola recovered.

On fourth-and-11 from the Spartans’ 20, Josh Sandry connected with Cameron Nissen on a 17-yard pass. Three plays later Sandry ran it in from a yard out to draw first blood. The conversion attempt failed when the snap from center went through holder Adam Jordt’s hands. It was 6-0.

Lewis busted through for a long run on the Spartans’ second play from scrimmage to set the table at the Vikings’ 11. Four runs and a penalty brought up fourth-and-six on the 7. Bigfork defensive back Isaac Martel broke up a tipped pass to end the threat.

A Sandry pass on first down was intercepted by Quinn LeLacheur and returned to the Vikings’ 14. Once again the Viking defense stiffened, and the Spartans turned the ball over on downs.

After gaining one first down the Vikings punted on their next possession.

The Spartans gained three first downs before Cameron Nissen recovered a fumble with 10:36 remaining in the second quarter. The Vikings were unable to move the ball and a Sandry pass was picked off by Logan Domino.

A pass interference call gave the Spartans a first down on the Vikings’ 27. The drive seemingly bogged down after two runs and two incomplete passes, but a personal foul penalty resulted in a first down on the 14. Facing fourth-and-seven on the 11, Lewis was stopped after a five-yard run.

The next three possessions ended in punts before Lewis broke loose on a 53-yard run to the Vikings’ 15. Facing fourth-and-three from the 8, Lewis ran left for the score with 30 seconds remaining in the half. The conversion kick by Austin Bessette was good to give the Spartans a 7-6 lead.

A Sandry fumble on first down gave the Spartans possession at the Vikings’ 30 with 24 seconds left, but Isaac Martel intercepted a pass on the next play.

The Vikings were able to establish a run game in the second half after the team made some minor adjustments at halftime. “We just got after it in the second half,” Emslie said.

It stopped raining at halftime and Bigfork took advantage.

The Vikings took the kickoff and marched down the field in 10 plays. The key was a bumblin’, stumblin’ 22-yard run by fullback Vinny Quirk that gave the Vikes the ball at the Spartans’ 1. Two plays later, Quirk scored untouched off right tackle. Jordt threw a pass to Nissen out of kick formation to put Bigfork up 14-7.

The next three possessions ended in punts before Bigfork gained two first downs and faced fourth-and five on the Spartans’ 25. A Nissen fumble after a two-yard pass ended the threat, however.

The Spartans gained two first downs of their own before Nissen sacked Lewis for a four-yard loss on fourth-and-one from the Vikings’ 19.

Runningback Boyd Rieke ripped off 77 yards on a first down run off right tackle to score with 4:28 remainining in the fourth quarter. Jordt threw to Nissen again out of kick formation to put Bigfork up 22-7.

Jonathan Landon’s 22-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:34 left put the icing on the cake. Landon’s PAT kick was no good to make it 28-7.

The game ended with the Bigfork sidline chanting, “55,” in honor of the late Matt Edwards.

Townsend gained 256 yards rushing and 69 passing compared to 149 yards rushing and 82 yards passing for Bigfork. Rieke had 126 yards on 19 carries, while Quirk added 47 yards on eight totes. Sandry completed six of 12 passes, while Lewis completed six of 24 passes for Townsend.

However the Vikings’ bend-but-don’t-break defense stepped up when it counted.

Linebacker Vinny Quirk led the team with 12.5 tackles. Nissen, 7.5, Tyler Iverson, six, and Christian Ruiz, five, also contributed.

Emslie noted that Landon has taken over the extra-point and field goal kicking duties for Sandry in order to give the junior signal-caller a break.