Vikings Win Grinder Over Raiders
Last week’s Game One of the Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League’s U14 Bounty Bowl saw the the Vikings blow out the Raiders 52 - 18.
Friday’s Game Two of the Bounty Bowl saw the Raiders lead for most of the game only to lose by two points in a dramatic fourth quarter.
For the majority of Friday evenings rematch the Raiders held a slim 6 - 0 lead over top of the Vikings.
The rejuvenated Raiders came out strong defensively managing to hem the Vikings in and force them to make fumbles leading to timely turnovers.
At halftime the Raiders led 6 - 0 after failing to convert on a touchdown.
Into the fourth quarter the Vikings managed to score a touchdown and score a two point conversion..
The Raiders would take control of the ball on several turnovers but they seemingly lacked the offensive force to finish off with a scoring play.
With just under six seconds to play the Raiders once again came up with a ball. They made a major long pass attempt in the hopes It would connect with a player and end up in the end zone.
The ball bounced off the helmet of the opposition players, resulting in the end of the game with the Vikings winning 8 - 6 over the Raiders.
Raiders Chayssen Seiferling (center) fights against two Vikings defenders - MJ Independent photo
“It was good. We had a dog fight through all four quarters. And we had the lead coming into the fourth quarter,” Raiders head coach Zach Klyne said.
The game came down to a single conversion is something not lost on Klyne.
“We’ve been struggling with conversions. We’ve been working on kicking, but if we get one point and they get two we’re still gonna be behind by one point,” he said.
The defence changed the game for the Raiders.
“It was night and day. Our defence stood up to them today, which made a real difference.”
The Raiders defence was instrumental and causing over six fumbles by the Vikings that more often than not was recovered by the Raiders.
“Our defence stepped up. Our offence couldn’t get the ball in the end zone,”Klyne said.
Vikings quarterback Lachlan Hender (left) attempts to dodge Raiders pursuer Benjamin Eros - MJ Independent photo
As far as the tight hard hitting game Klyne said it’s something he enjoyed being part of.
“It was exciting those kind of games are fun. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot when it came to some of the penalties, we had that long run 30 yards and we got it called back (on a holding call).”
Although it’s a long ways after the playoffs, Klyne still feels the teams will meet again then and he’s hopeful to see such exciting happen action when the teams meet for the third time in the season.
Of course, Klyne wants to see it where the Raiders win the game.
Although he doesn’t hope for a Raiders victory in any rematch head coach of the Vikings Allan Hender says he’s looking forward to it.
Vikings quarterback Lachlan Hender (left) attempts to dodge Raiders pursuer Benjamin Eros - MJ Independent photo
“What an amazing night of football. I’m so happy to be part of that. I’m so glad to see the kids be part of it. It was fun,” Hender said.
Despite having some rain just before the game started, Hender said he did not see the rain having any effect on the game after the first couple of minutes.
“There were some guys slipping right away, but we didn’t see anything after that. Everything was good, “ he said.
Although they came out weak last weekend this weekend on Friday evening the Raiders came out strong.
“They came out just like the Raiders do and all we could do was dig our heels in and fight back,” Hender said.
“I think they (the Raiders) sure were (playing better) this weekend. They played like the Raiders do Thats how the game works now. We have so many opportunities to see game film now. We can find our mistakes and fix them.”
About the close games Hender said “i love them, I love them. This is what football is all about..I love these little football games. I believe that was league was trying to do when they created the Bounty Bowl.”
Plans call for the back to back games as well as the Bounty Bowl - and it’s trophy making an appearance next season.
Raiders receiver Tatim Theau (center) battles against two Vikings defenders in a last passing play - MJ Independent photo
Both Klyne and Hender are looking forward to o a potential third meeting between the Raiders and the Vikings later during the playoffs.
