— by Ed Sutton —
A glorious day for a Viking victory — Vikings are in black
The Orcas/Lopez Viking football team won a thrilling football game over the LaConner Braves, 39-34, scoring on a two yard run by Vinnie Kramer with only 16 “ticks” left on the clock.
Another beautiful Fall afternoon on Orcas Island set the stage for a Saturday football game between the Orcas/Lopez Viking squad and long-time rival the LaConner Braves. Except for the game being on Saturday, it was truly “Friday Night Lights” high school football.
The Vikings entered the game with a 2-2 record, needing a win over LaConner to stay competitive in the race for a State playoff position. LaConner elected to receive the opening kickoff and drove the ball 70 yards to score and lead by 6-0 with only 4 1/2 minutes elapsed. The Braves were helped by two Viking miscues, capped by a 30 yard TD run.
Not to be outdone, the Vikings took possession at the 20 yard line and moved the ball 25 yards on a Miles Harlow to TJ Hobi pass, a 20 yard run by Vanya Bullock, and two Marshawn Lynch style runs by Vinny Kramer. Orcas led 7-6 with 2:42 left in the quarter.
The teams traded possession several times, moving the ball up and down the field, until LaConner scored on a 60 yard pass play to Budda Luna. (7-13 LaConner). Orcas nearly scored on the next series following a long run to the 20 yard line by Jordan Randolph. The Braves held and traded possessions. With 55 seconds until halftime Orcas ran the ball to the LaConner 28 and scored on a pass from Harlow to Randolph. The score was knotted at 13-13.
In the second half, the teams churned out the offensive yards. Orcas scored first, moving the ball from their own 30 deep into Braves territory on good running by Kramer, a pass to Bullock, and a scoring strike from Harlow to Randolph, again! (Orcas 20-13). LaConner responded with several passes and a run by Luna to the Orcas 2. The Vikings couldn’t hold, and a Braves score plus the PAT tied the game at 20-20 with 4:10 left in the quarter.
The Viking offense wouldn’t quit, and on the next series with a 3rd and long situation completed a 45 yard play to control the ball, and with just over a minute in the quarter, Randolph scored a third time on a pass from Harlow (Orcas 27-20). LaConner bounced back again, scoring early in the 4th quarter (27-27).
With the fans on both sides of the field sweating from the excitement of the game and chilling in the cool autumn air, Orcas took the lead again at 33-27 on an 8 yard bootleg run by Harlow. There was 7:39 left on the clock. LaConner ground the ball up the field to the Orcas 20 yard line and with a 4th and 10 situation, Jim Hulbert completed a TD pass deep into the right corner of the end zone over the Viking defender (33-34 LaConner).
The fans on the Orcas side of the field were “wired”. After the kickoff return, a big pass to Randolph put the ball at the LaConner 41 with 1:05 on the clock. It was 3rd and 6 at the Braves 38 with 44 seconds remaining. A run play. No gain!! A 4th down pass was incomplete at the 23. Game over ? NO, a yellow flag: interference. First down, Orcas, with 31 seconds to play. A pass to TJ Hobi put the ball at the LaConner 2; twenty seconds !!!!
Justin Paulsen, the Orcas announcer, “Vinny Kramer takes the hand-off from quarterback Miles Harlow and bulls his way over several defenders into the end-zone. TOUCHDOWN ORCAS !!” Final score Orcas 39- LaConner 34.
An important win in the march to the State playoffs in November! Next game: at Friday Harbor, October 9.
Thanks Ed!
When Islands unite… Look Out!