Mafia Falls To Vikings In U14 Wildcard Game Matchup
Story and Photos by Robert Thomas
It was a game when in its initial stages looked like either team could win it.
The score after the First Quarter was 2 - 0 in the Moose Jaw Vikings favour after the Moose Jaw Mafia elected to give up a safety in the final stages of the opening quarter.
But the Vikings stuck to their game plan and ended up defeating Mafia 38 - 0 in the one of two Wildcard playoff games in the U14 division of Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League on Saturday evening.
Moose Jaw Mafia ball carrier Teegan Kivol (right) is tackled by two Moose Jaw Vikings defenders
The win sees the Vikings (3 - 3) playoff hopes still afloat as they head for the semi-finals and Mafia (1 - 5) heads off to a consolation bowl game next weekend.
“The kids just went out and they did exactly what we asked them to do,” Allan Hender head coach of the Moose Jaw Vikings said.
He said everything seemed to gel and coalesce in all of the right ways for the Vikings on Saturday evening.
Moose Jaw Mafia’s Liam Oakes makes a reception on a pass while pursued by Moose Jaw Vikings Teegan Kivol
“They worked hard. They were aggressive. They executed. We had a few misplays but we just picked ourselves up and kept going. It was great,” Hender said, adding “We had a great quarterback out there today. Our receivers were in action. The running backs ran hard and that’s what we’ve been asking from them all year and finally it came together.”
Asked if the Vikings were worried after the Mafia squad only gave up a very strategic safety he said it all came down to hard work.
“We knew we just needed to keep working and keep doing the things we have been practicing the whole time. There was a few things we just didn’t get quite right and then we made a few adjustments and were able to move forward.”
Moose Jaw Vikings quarterback Keltyn Chappel looks for openings downfield
Asked about how the Vikings defence was a major factor he said it was something they’ve come to expect.
“They always are. We have so much respect for those guys out there. They just keep working. They never take their foot off of the they’re fantastic.”
But he chalks up the win to a total team effort.
“It was a total team effort. There were guys all around the ball tonight. And it wasn’t just defensively.”
Moose Jaw Vikings Bekkem Usher (right) fumbles the ball after evading a tackle by Moose Jaw Mafia’s Quinton Vanbocquestal
Offensively the Vikings switched up there strategy and plays making use of the entire unit.
He said the Vikings were going left and right and “we were all over the field tonight” adding “we were just trying to confuse them tonight and it worked. It was excellent.”
“It’s a team effort. All these kids have been out all week (practicing). We’ve been dealing with sickness. We’ve been dealing with a few other things but you know what they showed up tonight and that’s all we ask them to do…when it comes to game time next week we are going to show up.”
Moose Jaw Vikings quarterback Keltyn Chappel (left) heads down the sidelines with the ball
Facing the very tough Moose Jaw Raiders in next weekend’s semi-final Hender said it’s a case of practice makes perfect.
“We’re just going to come out just practice some things that we know we can execute best and go from there.”
Hender said although the weather is mild the team still appreciated the large contingent of fans who bundled up to cheer the kids on.
“It was nice to see (so many fans). Bryan (Boys) does such a great job out there. He gets the fans excited. We were down in Weyburn last week but it’s never the same like hanging out here in Moose Jaw…it’s nice to see the fans out here.”
Moose Jaw Mafia’s Ashley Merkel (left) fights Moose Jaw Vikings Keaton Bauck in a contested pass
For Moose Jaw Mafia assistant coach Cory Harkness the loss is tough but there was a lot of upside in the team’s performance - especially the First Quarter.
“It started out good and it was a dog fight. But you know what the Vikings are a good team and they’ve got good players. They are well coached and they came to play,” Harkness said.
The decision to give up a two point safety near the end of the first quarter was a strategic one.
Moose Jaw Mafia’s ball carrier (right) tries to evade Moose Jaw Vikings tacklers Nash Olfert (center) and Draven Smith (left)
“We got pinned deep and you give up the two points and you win the field position battle. It worked out for us. We drive them back quite a few yards and our defence played really well today,” he said.
Mafia had been looking at giving up a a potential touchdown to the Vikings when they called in the concede two points play.
Despite the loss of linebacker J.C. Johnson - who has been out sick the entire week - Mafia successfully made adjustments.
Moose Jaw Vikings quarterback Keltyn Chappel is corralled and tackled
“Yeah we’re hoping he heals up but you know what football is next man up. And our guys I think did a good job of filling in when you find out one of your teammates isn’t able to make it.”
Filling the spot of a missing strong linebacker was a cascading performance.
“He’s a talented kid but we had some kids step up tonight and filled in the linebacker role. And then you are just filling down from there. As I said it’s the next man up. I was happy with our boys effort tonight in the defensive side.”
A Moose Jaw Mafia player takes a break along the sidelines
He said the offence made some errors facing a very tough Vikings defence.
“You know sometimes you execute well. And sometimes you shoot yourself in the foot. It’s not taking anything away from the Vikings team. Their defence is a tough defence. But if you fumble the ball if you’re allow turnovers it doesn’t turn out well for your team,” Harkness said.
“It was an exciting game…it’s Thanksgiving weekend so wish the kids a Happy Thanksgiving weekend. We’ll get back at it next week.”
Moose Jaw Vikings quarterback Keltyn Chappel slides along slippery leaves to score a touchdown as a Moose Jaw Mafia defender gives up the chase - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
Harkness said the team would like to end their season on a high note and will be practicing towards a victory next weekend.
“It’s a redemption game. You can come back. It’s your last game of the season and I think we can end this season on a W (win) and go out on a high note.”
Moose Jaw Vikings quarterback Keltyn Chappel gets ready to lunge into the end zone after outrunning four Moose Jaw Mafia defenders in the subsequent two point conversion attempt
Scoring Statistics
First Quarter
Vikings 2 - Mafia 0
Second Quarter
Vikings 16 - Mafia 0
Third Quarter
Vikings 30 - Mafia 0
Fourth Quarter
Vikings 36 - Mafia 0
