Vikings Defeated by LUHI 37-13

The Vikings lost 37-13 to the LUHI Crusaders in a difficult game which stretched Port Washington to the limits on personnel and depth.  At the start of the game four Viking starters were sidelined for various reasons and during the game another two were sidelined due to injury shortly into the game.  As a result, the Vikings had a difficult time matching up with key LUHI personnel in a loss which left the Vikings 2-1 and improved the LUHI record to 3-0.

The final score of the game however did not reflect the whole story.   In fact the Vikings scored first against LUHI when junior QB James Burns (11/21; 2 TDs, 2 Int) completed a 20 yard TD pass to junior WR Kyle Granger followed by a Matt Siegel PAT Kick.  Lutheran responded with a 20 yard run but failed convert the PAT. Port Washington held the lead 7-6 at the end of the first quarter; this despite having one senior team captain on injured reserve unable to play and another senior team captain being sidelined due to injury in the first quarter.

As the game wore on, the Vikings struggled and were stretched in personnel and LUHI scored twice in the second quarter on the ground and in the air to take the lead 24-7.  On the final drive of the second half the Vikings drove 50 yards and scored on a 2 TD yard pass from Burns to Siegel (PAT failed) to make the score 24-13 at halftime. 

The Vikings continued to struggle with injury as their starting RB also was sidelined in the second half.  Personnel difficulties and an tough LUHI defense combined to result in a shutout in the second half of the game while LUHI added 13 more points to make the final score 37-13.  The Vikings were also hampered during the game by four turnovers (2 fumbles and 2 interceptions) which resulted in LUHI scores.

Vikings and fans should keep this loss in perspective.  The LUHI team is a very good team.  Port Washington was the only team to score first on LUHI this season and the only team to score two touchdowns against a tough LUHI defense and they did so without their full complement of players.  These two teams may very well meet in the championship and with a healthy Viking team able to play without turnovers, one would expect a VERY different outcome.

On Saturday 9/29 at 1:00PM, the Vikings will face an 0-3 St. Dominic’s team in their Homecoming Game.  With a number of Vikings starters returning to the lineup and a team which will surely be energized by the Pride in Port festivities, the scoreboard is sure to be lit up!