Vanier Vikings Record First Win Of Season
By Robert Thomas
It may not have been the prettiest win, nor may it have been the cleanest but the Vanier Vikings will take it as they won their first game of the season defeating the visiting Estevan Elecs 15 - 13 in South 5A 12-Man Football League play on Saturday afternoon.
Playing at home to a sparse crowd the Vikings came up with some massive plays while at other times the team failed to open the game up like a sticking hinge in need of a good shot of WD - 40. But in the end the Vikings managed to shake off the rusty play and opened the door to victory.
“I’m super happy we got the win for the kids and we got that monkey off our back. But honestly that was the sloppiest game we have played in quite awhile,” Vanier head coach Ryan Gottselig told MJ Independent in a post game interview.
Vanier’s Kolby Clarke (in grey and red) tries to evade the sweater grab by Estevan’s Tyson Czernick - MJ Independent photo
The Vikings looked at times shaky in the first half of play but improved in the second half of play.
“It is just that snaps weren’t there and missed assignments. We talked about it at half time and we came out better and scored there. We made good enough plays when we had to and won the game,” Gottselig said.
“It was just missed assignments. We had some kids in different spots and nerves maybe showed up on game day.”
Estevan Elecs make a catch in front of Vanier’s Hudson Tallon (right) - MJ Independent photo
Estevan employed an unorthodox football strategy with them continually gambling on third downs even if the yardage was long.
Gottselig said he was not surprised with Estevan gambling on third downs and often turning the ball over on downs.
“Sometimes at our level the kicking and punting game is not there. Sometimes you don’t have that kid on your roster so no it is to be expected at times. I know they had some issues on their film last week and they had a couple of punts returned on them so I think maybe their trying to keep the ball in their own hands was just part of their strategy.”
Vanier’s Hudson Tallon (right) made a big running play in the final minutes to allow the Vikings to maintain possession and run out the clock instead of having to kick the ball away deep in their end - MJ Independent photo
Despite the shaky game a potential new star may have arisen in the Vikings ranks as football newcomer grade 12 student Layefa Godwin - who enrolled in Vanier just a few weeks ago - scored a touchdown.
Not only did Godwin score a touchdown but wearing lime green cleats managed to drag a good portion of the Elecs team along with him in his two longest rushing attempts.
Godwin would rush for 69 yards total in 13 attempts.
“He just came to us a few weeks ago. He is obviously fast and a big athletic kid so we are trying to get him more integrated and hopefully he can learn the game and the nuances he can continue to make plays for us,” Gottselig said, adding “he needs space. We just need a way to find him that space so he can stretch it out for us.”
Not only did the Vikings draft the services of Layefa Godwin they also managed to get his younger brothers - Aefi and Kuroemi - to join the team as well.
”He has two younger brothers that joined who are busy learning the game. And yeah it is exciting they are going to be good for us,” he said.
Vikings Layefa Godwin would use his lime green spring to score a touchdown - MJ Independent photo
The Elecs managed to make an interception - in the second quarter - on a pass intended for Hudson Tallon (left) - MJ Independent photo
Vikings defender Tucker McKechnie breaks up a pass thrown to two Elecs receivers - MJ Independent photo
Although he never showed up on the scoring sheet and game statistics linebacker Tucker McKechnie played a strong game deflecting more than one Elecs pass that would likely have been a major gains.
Additionally he just failed to make an interception on two occasions.
Vikings defender Tucker McKechnie just fails to make an interception - MJ Independent photo
Vanier’s standout utility player Joel Marak would score a third quarter touchdown that would give the Vikings the lead in the game.
Marak was silent in the first half but sprang out in the second half of the game.
He would score a third quarter touchdown and make likely one of the key plays to preserve the Vikings victory when he broke up a two point conversion attempt.
Marak would be injured on the play and had to be carried off of the field. Initially the injury was thought to be worse than it was with an official calling for an ambulance.
He did not return to play and was noticeably limping after the game.
“I think he has got a little bit of a torn muscle thing there so hopefully it is minor. We have a bye week which is next week so it is kind of good time. We need Joel out there. He is kind of our heart and soul out there,” Gottselig said.
“He made good plays for us.”
Joel Marak celebrates his touchdown - MJ Independent photo
A key moment in the game was when Estevan failed to run the ball out of their end zone giving a single point to the Vikings who went ahead 15 - 7 at that time.
The single point would necessitate the Elecs attempting a two point conversion to tie the game.
A two point conversion attempt broken up by Joel Marak.
With the game running out of time and the Elecs pressuring within the Vikings six yard line Hudson Tallon made a big run “that sealed it for us,” Gottselig said.
“Hudson is a gifted runner when he has got the space…it was exactly what we needed because we were right backed up against our goal line.”
Vikings Joel Marak breaks up an Elecs two point conversion attempt late in the game. Marak would be injured on the play and not return to the game - MJ Independent photo
Offensive Stats - First Half
The Vikings would record 106 yards total in 14 first half attempts rushing the ball. The Vanier squad would add just 11 yards in one completion out of 5 attempted. For a combined first half offense of 117 yards.
The Estevan Elecs would gain 33 yards in 5 completions out of 16 attempts. And rush the ball 9 times for 29 yards. For a combined first half offense of 62 yards.
Offensive Stats - Second Half and Total Game
In the second half the Vikings would match their rushing offense of 106 yards and record 62 yards on three completed passes out of 5 attempted. For a total second half of 168 yards.
The Vikings had a total offense of 285 yards.
In the second half the Elecs had 16 yards on 7 carries in rushing. When it came to passing the Elecs had 153 yards in total completing 8 out of 16 passing attempts. For a second half total of 171 yards.
The Elecs had a total offense of 233 yards.
Next Game
The Vikings have next week off.
They return to play October 15th in an away game taking on Weyburn.