Shutout: Vikings clip Falcons 20-0

Bigfork High School showed some hints of what they could become Friday with a 20-0 shutout of Florence.

“Defensively we played well,” coach Todd Emslie said. “Offensively, we got a little better. As a team we have a ways to go.”

The Vikings' first home game of the season was played before a good crowd in an idyllic setting.

The Vikings scored on their third possession on a 72-yard punt return by junior Josh Sandry. Sandry’s PAT kick made it 7-0 and with 3:08 left in the first period, and the Vikes had all the points they would need.

That didn’t stop them, however, as the Red and Blue added another score on their next possession.

Fullback Vinney Quirk ripped off runs of 20 and 11 yards to start the drive. Nine plays later on fourth-and-goal from the Falcon three, Sandry ran it in and added another PAT to make it 14-0.

Florence didn’t threaten until 3:32 were left in the third period. Facing fourth-and-three on the Viking 12, the Falcons went for it but came up short after a one-yard run.

Body Rieke’s 35-yard run set up the Vikings’ final tally, which the senior runningback provided from a yard out. This time, Sandry’s PAT was wide left to leave it 20-0.

Bigfork gained 159 yards on the ground. Rieke led with 95 yards on 21 carries, while Quirk had 65 yards on 12 totes.

Sandry completed seven of 15 passes for 67 yards and threw one interception on a pass went through a receiver’s hands. He was sacked three times. Tight end Cameron Nissen was the Vikes’ leading receiver with two catches for 31 yards.

Defensively, Noe Gomez and Quirk made 7 and 6.5 tackles, while Tyler Iverson added 5. Adam Jordt contributed 4.5 tackles and an interception. Sandry also made a pick and averaged 36 yards on three punts.  

Florence was largely ineffective throwing the ball. Brady Pickering completed only nine of 26 passes for 27 yards and was sacked four times. The Vikings also stuffed the Falcons’ running game, which yielded 82 yards on 56 attempts. Florence’s David Difort averaged only 23.5 yards on eight punts.

The Falcons have been shut out twice after falling to Townsend 47-0 in their first contest.

As far as injuries go, Iverson suffered what’s commonly known as a “stinger” against Florence, but should be ready to go Friday, Emslie said.

Ronan a ‘playoff caliber team’

Bigfork will host 1-1 Ronan Friday at 7 p.m. The Chiefs lost to Eureka 28-14 and defeated Troy 53-13.

“They’re big and got some athletes,” Emslie said. “They’re capable of beating anybody. They are a playoff-caliber team.”

He hopes to have a good crowd on hand to root for the Vikings.

Offensively, the Chiefs operate out of a wing T formation. They like to use sweeps, counters and play-action, and favor the run over the pass, Emslie said.

Defensively, they use a 4-4 or 4-3 set.

Emslie hopes to have a good crowd on hand to root on the Vikings.