Vanier Vikings Lose Home Opener To The Swift Current Colts

By Robert Thomas

A slow start and poorer first half of play cost the Vanier Vikings an opportunity to record their first win of the season as they dropped their home opener 14 - 0 to the visiting Swift Current Colts in 5A 12-Man South league play on Saturday afternoon.

“We got off to a slow start. We just weren’t ready to play at the start I guess. We played better as the game progressed. The defense looked better,” Ryan Gottselig Vikings head coach said.

Joe Marak (second from the right) from the Vanier Vikings tries to break a tackle by Parker Latimer from the Swift Current Colts - MJ Independent photo

Saxton Metz (center) tries to break the block by Swift Current Colts Riley Schafer (right) as Colts quarterback Elijah Siemens gets set to make a pass - MJ Independent photo

“There was just to many mistakes on offence, too many fumbles and drops and those kind of things,” Gottselig said.

Defensively the Vikings managed some stellar moments. In one set of downs they managed to sack Colts quarterback Elijah Siemens for a 17 yard loss as the Swift Current passer desperately searched for a receiver.

The Vikings would sack Siemens more than once during the contest.

“Yeah our D (defense) is coming around pretty well. It is just earlier on we weren’t getting that pass pressure we needed it when they were able to move the ball and score on us. But we got better as the game went on. It was a good second half for sure,” he said.

They Vanier squad even managed to pick off what looked like a third touchdown and run the ball out of the end zone keeping the Swift Current squad in check when the opportunity came to potentially blow the game out.

Vanier Vikings Joe Marak is able to tackle Swift Current Colts Jarron Reid on a running play - MJ Independent photo

Vanier Vikings quarterback Tayden Hardwicke hands the ball off to receiver Gabe Yasinski - MJ Independent photo

The Colts scoring all came in the first half of play as the Vikings could not match their larger Swift Current opponents.

The Colts scored their first touchdown at the 00:20 mark of the first quarter in a passing play from quarterback Elijah Siemans to receiver Ryder Smith.

The Colts second touchdown was almost a carbon copy of their first touchdown a passing play from quarterback Elijah Siemans to receiver Ryder Smith at the 4:11 mark of the second quarter.

About the numerous fumbles Gottselig said he could not say for sure why the Vikings seemed to fumble at key times and the Colts managed to recover the ball.

“I don’t know what it is. Sometimes when we don’t get traction right away they are trying to make that extra little play and then lose track of the ball security. So I don’t know.”

Vanier Vikings Colby Clark is brought down by two Swift Current Colts defenders - MJ Independent photo

Vanier Vikings quarterback Tayden Hardwicke manages to release a pass while under pressure - MJ Independent photo

The game is the second straight loss for the Vikings who lost last weekend 63 - 0 on the road to the Yorkton Raiders.

“Our goal is try to get better every week. We are definitely better than we were last week. We will try to keep it going.”

Size is a bit of an issue for the Vikings as they only have three players who are seniors (in grade 12) and there are two grade nine rookies in the starting lineup. Something many of their competitors do not have.

“We are one of the smaller teams from one of the smaller schools but we play with big hearts and the kids battle. So it is all we can ask,” Gottselig said, adding “this is one of the youngest teams we have had since my tenure…we are team with players from grade nine to twelve.”

Gottselig takes it all in stride.

“It is just the nature of a smaller school and a smaller program. It would be great to have a few more veteran guys but it is opportunities for younger kids.”

Vanier Vikings Joe Marak manages to evade coverage by Swift Current Colts Maddex Gording-Dovell to make a catch - MJ Independent photo

The Vikings next matchup is a crosstown affair as they face Peacock Collegiate’s Tornadoes in a Thursday 7 pm evening matchup under the lights at Elks Athletic Field.

“It is always fun playing the city teams. It looks like they had a really good game today. They will be a real tough opponent so we will see what we can do.”

Vanier Vikings Hudson Tallon takes off on a running play - MJ Independent photo

Saturday’s Other Local Matchup

Earlier in the afternoon the Central Cyclones came from behind to defeat the Peacock Tornadoes 14 - 7.

The Tornadoes led the contest 7 - 0 on a second quarter touchdown.

But the Cyclones would score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win the cross town matchup.

The Cyclones move to 2 - 0 in the league while Peacock moves to a 1 - 1 record.

Next Local Games

Vanier Vikings vs Peacock Tornadoes Thursday September 15th 7 pm start at Elks Athletic Field - 1600 Caribou Street West

Central Cyclones vs Weyburn Eagles Saturday September 17th 1 pm start at Gutheridge Field - 650 Coteau Street West